West Hillandale Hammerheads

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my swimmer ready for swim team?

• If your swimmer is aged 5 to 18 and can swim 25 meters without pulling him/herself forward on the edge or lane ropes, he/she is ready for swim team. 
• If your swimmer is still working on water adjustment or has to stop frequently when swimming across the pool, Pup Team or lessons may be a better option.  If you are not sure if your swimmer is ready, you can bring him/her to a practice to be evaluated.

Does my family need to be WHSC members in order to join the team?

Yes.  The team is only open to WHSC members.  Information on membership is available at: https://www.whscpool.org/join-up .

What is Pup Team and when it start?

• Pup Team will be offered in 2026.
• Pup Team is for swimmers aged 3 to 6 who are working on skills like floating, learning to swim freestyle and backstroke, and diving into the pool.
• Pup Team lasts for 4 weeks from June 22 through July 17.
• Due to limited capacity we will likely be maintaining a wait list for Pup Team. In order to accommodate as many families as possible, payment for Pup Team must be received no later than June 15th to hold your spot. There will be no refunds for Pup Team after June 22nd. 

What are the practice times? Is there a requirement to attend all practices?

• While we do not require that a swimmer attend a certain number of practices, we hope to see you every day! Swimmers are welcome to attend both morning and afternoon practices.
• There is no afternoon practice on days there is a B meet.
• The Practice page has detailed practice schedules.

Where can I learn about the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL)?

• Please visit https://mcsl.org/ to learn more about the league. West Hillandale is in Division J.

Does the swim team have social events?

Yes! We have pep rallies, usually on the Friday preceding a swim meet.  We also have a big lasagne-palooza as well! The swim banquet, with dinner, trophies, and paper plate awards, is normally held right after divisionals.  

Is there a required uniform?

• We do not require a specific swimsuit; however, you can purchase a team swimsuit from SportFair. SportFair will be onsite the last Saturday in May to help with fittings and purchases.
• There is an MCSL rule that swim caps and suits cannot have a logo from any team other than the team being represented. For example, high school and MCSL swim caps may not be worn in A meets. (Rule 2.f). 
• West Hillandale Hammerhead silicone swim caps are available for sale for $10 each.