Pre-registration for tryouts is not required, walk-ins are welcome. Swimmers must only arrive ready to swim, and parents can fill out necessary paperwork on site. Please arrive 15 minutes early to prepare and fill out paperwork.
- Tuesday, June 24th, 6:30pm. YMCA at the Piscataway Community Center.
- Tuesday, July 8th, 6:30pm. Raritan Bay Area YMCA (Perth Amboy).
- Tuesday, July 22nd, 6:30pm. YMCA at the Piscataway Community Center.
- Saturday, August 9th, 9:00am. Brookside Swim Club (Milltown).
- Saturday, August 23rd, 9:00am. Brookside Swim Club (Milltown).
Swimmers who completed the entire 2024-25 winter season with Riptide are NOT required to try out again to return, but keep the dates in mind to tell your friends and summer teammates!
41 Washington Avenue, Milltown, New Jersey, 08850
Brookside is located behind the police station! You must drive into the police station parking lot, drive through the parking lot, then find the gravel parking lot on the other side.
Raritan Bay Area YMCA
357 New Brunswick Avenue, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, 08861
YMCA at the Piscataway Community Center
520 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, New Jersey, 08854
A tryout is an evaluation done by our coaching staff to identify which group would be best for your child to practice with. Each swimmer is different, and we do our best to place all of our swimmers in the appropriate practice group for the season. However, practice groups are not final and coaches may adjust practice groups based on swimmer performance during the first few weeks of practice.
Space on our team is limited and spots are filled on a rolling basis. Practice groups may close once filled, so your best opportunity to make the team is to attend one of our earlier tryout dates!
Does my child need prior swim team experience to attend a tryout?
Riptide welcomes all swimmers who are interested and dedicated to pursuing swim at the competitive level. To try out, older swimmers must be able to swim several laps of at least three out of four of the competitive strokes (Freestyle, Breaststroke, Backstroke, Butterfly). Younger swimmers (ages eight and under) must be able to swim two laps of at least two of the four competitive strokes using a legal stroke pattern.
What forms do I need to bring to the tryout?
Necessary forms will be provided upon arrival to the tryout.
What does my child need to wear/bring to tryouts?
All swimmers should arrive ready to swim with their swimsuits on, as changing facilities may not be available. Swimmers should bring swim goggles, a towel, and a water bottle. A swim cap is also recommended.
What should I expect on the day of tryouts?
When you arrive at the pool, please wait for our coaching staff to address the group. They will instruct each swimmer where to go to begin his or her tryout. There will be a brief informational meeting for the parents, presented by our Riptide Parent Board, while your child is in the pool. We ask that you allow our coaching staff to attend to your child's swim evaluation, while you focus your attention on learning more about the Riptide Swim Team.
You are free to leave after your child's tryout, and you will be contacted within one week of your tryout date to inform you if your child is able to join the team at this time.
Who can answer my questions about tryouts?
If you have a question regarding tryouts, please email us at [email protected], and your question will be directed to the person who can best provide the answer.
Thank you so much for your interest in our team! We look forward to seeing you at our next tryout!
March Madness is a five-week program that allows swimmers to "bridge the gap" between the traditional winter and spring seasons and continue swimming without a break. As this is an off-season program, it is practice only and there are no competitions associated with March Madness. All groups will focus on building and correcting stroke technique, as well as sets for endurance and conditioning. Current Riptide winter swimmers will have priority for registration, but if space allows, the program is open to non-team members who are capable of participating in a competitive swim practice.
Spring Fling is open for registration! Register now to start practicing on April 14th. Registration is here, with full info on the flyer here.
Spring Fling starts in mid-April and runs until late-May/early-June. Though the majority of participants tend to be returning team members from the winter season, non-team members are strongly encouraged to sign up. You must know how to swim--this is not swim lessons--but previous competitive experience is not necessary. All groups will focus on building and correcting stroke technique, as well as sets for endurance and conditioning. You do not have to be a current member of the Riptide Swim Team to participate in this program, but you will be required to register as a YMCA member. For prospective team members, Spring Fling is a great way to get a feel for the team and prepare for a summer tryout.
One common question we get from current team members regarding sign-ups from spring through summer is: What if we take a break? Will my child's tenure on the team be broken if we don't participate in one of the spring/summer programs? The only thing necessary to maintain your status as a current team member is to participate fully in every FALL/WINTER SEASON (the season you have just finished). We are happy to offer a spring season to those of you looking to continue year-round, but we won't hold it against you if you only plan to return this coming September.
Summer Splash takes place in the early mornings, featuring high-intensity training to prepare for competition either with Riptide or with a summer club, or simply to stay in shape for the fall/winter season. Summer Splash is recommended for swimmers age 10&up only. (Younger swimmers are encouraged to participate in the NJSDC swim league, not affiliated with Riptde.) Full information on the Summer Splash 2024 program can be found by clicking here.
