Blue Tide Aquatics

Weekly Chlorine

June 17th - June 22nd

OUR MISSION

To have a nationally recognized aquatics program that teaches and trains all levels of swimmers, emphasizing individual progress, team unity, and family participation.

OUR VISION

• Support and grow a developmental program from a learn-to-swim to national and international level competition
• Maintain flexible and committed swim programs that allow for various swimmer interests.
• Remain the featured swim program in the Humble/Kingwood/Atascocita area
• Increase and maintain team enrollment above 300 swimmers.
• Continue to provide a healthy and positive environment for all member athletes through the development and implementation of club governance measures, USA Swimming Safe Sport policies and reporting mechanisms, USA Swimming Safe Sport best practices, and training for athletes and parents

Upcoming Events

June 20th - 23rd - George Block Invite

June 25th - Baby Shower Tin Roof BBQ

June 26th - Hacienda Palomas Spirt Night

July 4th - Kingwood Civic Club and Rotary Club 4th of July Parade

Head Coach Note

Dear Swim Parents,

With championship season right around the corner, we are excited to see all our swimmers get involved in these upcoming meets! We want everyone on our team to participate and show their best. Remember, swimming is not just an individual sport but a team sport; every swimmer on this team matters. Let's come together and make this championship season a memorable one!

LC Gulf Age Group Champs

Dates: July 12-14, 2024  

Hosted by: Cypress Fairbanks Swim Club  

Location: Fleet Aquatic Center, 14654 Spring Cypress Rd, Cypress, TX 77429  

This meet is a qualifying event, requiring swimmers to have a Gulf Age Group Champs cut. It is a prelims and finals meet. You can find the time standards for these events at the bottom of the weekly chlorine. If your swimmer has at least one cut, they can enter any events, and this will be a last-chance qualifier for the Texas Age Group Champs (TAGS).

Gulf Senior Champs

Dates: July 12-14, 2024  

Location: The Woodlands Swim Team (TWST)  

To enter this meet, swimmers must have at least one 2023-2024 Southern Senior Champs time. They may then enter any events. This is also a prelims and finals meet. The time standards are available at the bottom of the weekly chlorine.

Texas Age Group Championship (TAGS)

Dates: July 18-21, 2024  

Location: Texas A&M University, Student Recreation Center Natatorium  

Swimmers with at least one regular cut are allowed to swim all their bonus times. This is also a qualifying meet and a prelims and finals meet. The time standards are at the bottom of the weekly chlorine.

Gulf B & Under Champs (12 and Under)

Dates: July 20-21, 2024  

Location: To Be Determined  

This meet does not require a qualifying time. However, swimmers with a BB time standard or higher cannot compete in this meet. It is a timed final meet. The exact location will be determined once Gulf Swimming receives the entries and assigns them to a host team. Time standards are provided at the bottom of the weekly chlorine.

Gulf Summer Champs Meet

Dates: July 26-28, 2024  

Location: To Be Determined  

For 10&U and 11-12 swimmers, at least one (1) USA Swimming 2021-2024 National Age Group Motivational Times BB time standard is required to participate. There are no qualifying times for 13-14 and 15 & over swimmers. This is a prelims and finals meet.

Important Notice: During the championship season, if your swimmer makes finals but does not show up, Gulf Swimming will issue a $50 fine and will not be allowed to swim the rest of the meet. This only applies to the prelim finals meet. 

During the championship season and the rest of the Long Course season, we want swimmers and parents to wear White on Friday, Orange on Saturday, and Blue on Sunday! This spells out "WON" and shows our team spirit and unity.

All information for the swim meets will be posted on the BTA website. If you have any questions about which meet to attend, don't hesitate to contact your lead coach; they will help you get your swimmer to the proper meet.

Best regards,

Matt Sanspree  

BTA Swim Announcements

Information for the 2024 - 2025 Season

Blue Tide Aquatics (BTA) will take an annual two-week break starting onJuly 29th and running until August 11th. Returning BTA members will resume with shortened practices from August 12th through August 16th. We will hold an evaluation day for all new BTA members wishing to join on August 17th at the BTA pool. We will have a BTA Team Day on August 19th, where everyone will meet their coaches and discuss the upcoming season. A two-week stroke clinic will then commence on August 20th. Please be on the look-out for more information in the coming weeks!

Join BTA in the Kingwood 4th of July Parade!

We are excited to announce that Blue Tide Aquatics (BTA) will be joining forces with the Kingwood Civic Club and Kingwood Rotary Club for the 4th of July parade on Thursday, July 4th, 2024. This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Independence Day with the biggest and best parade in Houston—possibly all of Texas! Lineup for the parade begins at 7 am at the corner of Rivers Edge and Sandy Forks Drive (enter on Feather Lakes Way by the Post Office). Once this street is filled, the lineup will continue on Haven Brook and Sandy Forks Drive (enter on Rustic Woods).

Float judging will commence at 9 am, and the parade will officially kick off at 10 am from Creekwood Middle School on Sandy Forks. The parade will conclude when all participants reach Kingwood High School. Just so you know, candy, beads, and other items cannot be thrown from floats and trailers. Walking participants may hand out these items, provided they are not thrown. This precaution ensures children's safety and prevents them from running into the street. Let's work together to make the Kingwood 4th of July Parade a fun and safe event for everyone!

If you want to volunteer, please get in touch with Trica Etter

Watch Their Parade Video

Information Page Link

Baby Shower

Coach Matt and Megan are expecting a baby girl in August! 

We are throwing a team-wide baby shower for them on Tuesday, June 25th, at 5:30 pm. The shower will be held at Tin Roof BBQ in Atascocita, and your whole family is welcome to attend. We will provide cake and cupcakes; dinner can be purchased when you arrive. 

Please see the attached invitation for more information!

Long Course Meet Schedule

Please click the link below for the Long Course Meet Schedule!

BTA Long Course Meet Schedule

Event the Sign-Up Deadline

June 26th - Age Group Champs

June 26th - Gulf Senior Champs

National 1 & 2

If your swimmer would like to receive the weekly chlorine update, please update their email in Team Unify. We will make sure your swimmer gets the weekly update next week!

By receiving the weekly chlorine, your swimmer will have access to important links, including the time standards listed below. Don’t miss out on essential team news and updates—ensure your swimmer's email information is current. Thank you!

Hacienda Palomas Spirit Night

Get ready for our next spirit night on June 26th at Hacienda Palomas! From 11 a.m. to close, every taco, burrito, and margarita you purchase will help raise funds for Blue Tide Aquatics. So, bring your appetite and your friends—because nothing says team spirit like a fiesta! Let’s taco 'bout supporting our swimmers while enjoying some delicious food. See you there, and remember, guac is always extra, but so is our team spirit!

BTA Swim Practice Schedule

National 1

M / W - 8:30 - 11:00 am @KHS (Including Dryland)

Tuesday - 7:00 - 9:00 am @KHS

Tuesday - 1:00 - 3:00 pm @SHAC

Thursday - Friday - Saturday No Practice (Due to George Block Meet)

National 2

M / W - 7:00 - 9:00 am @KHS

M / W 1:00 - 3:00 pm @SHAC

T / - 8:30 - 11:00 am @KHS (Including Dryland)

Thursday - Friday - Saturday No Practice (Due to George Block Meet)

Gold 1

M / W - 7:00 - 9:00 am @KHS

M 1:00 - 3:00 pm @SHAC

T / - 8:30 - 11:00 am @KHS (Including Dryland)

Thursday - Friday - Saturday No Practice (Due to George Block Meet)

Gold 2

M / W / TH - 1:30 - 4:00 pm @BTA (Including Dryland)

Tuesday - 3:00 - 5:00 pm @KPark

Friday - Saturday No Practice (Due to George Block Meet)

Silver 1

Monday 1:15 - 3:15 pm @SHAC

T / W 8:00 - 10:15 am @BTA (Including Dryland)

Thursday - Friday - Saturday No Practice (Due to George Block Meet)

Silver 2

M / W 9:00 - 10:45 am @BTA

T / TH 9:00 - 11:15 am @BTA (Including Dryland)

Friday - Saturday No Practice (Due to George Block Meet)

Bronze 1 & 2

M / W 5:15 - 7:00 pm @BTA (Including Dryland)

T 3:30 - 5:00 pm @Kpark

Thursday - Friday - Saturday No Practice (Due to George Block Meet)

Orange

M / W 4:00 - 5:00 pm @Kpark

T / Th 4:00 - 5:00 pm @BTA

Friday 5:00 - 6:00 pm @BTA

Tidal Wave

TW:1 T / TH 3:15 - 4:00 pm @BTA

TW:2 M / W 3:15 - 4:00 pm @Kpark

TW: 1 & 2 Friday 4:15 - 5:00 pm @BTA

TNT

M / W 4:00 - 5:00 pm @KPark

T / Th 4:00 - 5:00 pm @BTA

Friday 5:00 - 6:00 pm @BTA

High School Prep

M / W 5:30 - 6:30 pm @BTA

T / Th 5:30 - 7:00 pm @BTA (Including Dryland)

Friday 6:00 - 7:00 pm @BTA

Gulf and USA Swimming

Time Standards

USA Swimming time standards serve as benchmarks for assessing swimmers' progress and performance levels, particularly younger athletes, across various age groups and events. These standards are meticulously designed to offer a clear framework for swimmers to aim for, starting from the local and regional levels and advancing through to national competitions. They categorize performances into different levels, such as B, BB, A, AA, AAA, and AAAA, with each level representing a progressively higher performance standard. This system not only fosters a sense of achievement and motivation among swimmers by providing tangible goals to strive for but also aids coaches in tailoring training programs to meet each swimmer's individual needs. Furthermore, these time standards facilitate the selection process for various swim meets, ensuring that participants compete against others of comparable skill levels. This structured approach to competition helps measure progress and success, encouraging swimmers to continue improving and advancing in the sport. By comparing times against these standards, swimmers, coaches, and parents can gauge improvement, set goals, and understand where a swimmer stands about peers at the local, regional, and national levels.

Age Group Time Standards

USA Swimming Age Group Motivational Standards

Gulf Age Group Champs Time Standards

TAGS Time Standards

Senior Time Standards

Southern Senior Championship

Sectionals Standards

Futures Time Standards

18 & Under Spring Cup Time Standards

Summer Junior Time Standards

2024 U.S Olympic Team Trials

If you have Questions about Practice Times or Meets for your swimmer, please get in touch with your swimmer's Lead Coach of the Group.

If you have general questions about the swim club, concerns, or compliments, please email In Head Coach Matt Sanspree.

If you have any questions about your account, please get in touch with our Team Registrar at Team Registrar

If you have any questions about Volunteer Hours, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at Volunteer Coordinator.

The BTA Board of Directors were elected to serve you. Please feel free to ask any questions, express your concerns, or give your compliments. BTA Board Of Directors

We Need You! Fun Way to Volunteer and be on Deck!

Every swim club relies on the dedication and expertise of officials to successfully conduct swim meets, ensuring fair competition and adherence to USA Swimming rules. When clubs participate in away meets, it's equally important to bring along officials who can contribute to the smooth operation of these events. Becoming a USA Swim Official not only offers a unique vantage point to experience the excitement of swim meets but also provides a rewarding opportunity to support your swimmer and the broader swim community. Embrace the chance to make lasting friendships with fellow parents and volunteers, all while playing a pivotal role in the sport you love.

By deciding to become an Official, you're offering a valuable gift of time and talent to the swimming world, enhancing the experience for all involved. Whether you lean towards being a Stroke & Turn Judge, who closely observes swimmers' techniques and ensures compliance with USA Swimming rules from poolside, or prefer the role of an Administrative Official, managing meet information and serving as a go-to resource for questions, there's a path that suits your skills and personality. Both roles are crucial, offering different perspectives on the meet but sharing the same goal of facilitating a fair, enjoyable competition. Full training is provided for both positions, requiring no previous swimming knowledge, making this an accessible way to contribute significantly to your swim club and the sport at large. Take the step today and become an integral part of the swimming community as an Official.

There are two paths: Stroke & Turn Judge or Administrative Official. They are different classes, and they are different jobs. You should choose one path, based on personality and fit, and work your way through the process.

Stroke & Turn Judge - USA Official who stands at the edge of the pool during swim meets and observes the swims of the swimmers. Reports observations that deviate from the USA Swimming rules. Full training is offered, and no prior swimming knowledge is needed. 

Administrative Official - USA Swimming Official who serves as an information center at meets by entering information into computers, answering general questions from swimmers, coaches, other officials, parents, and spectators. Full training is offered, and no prior swimming knowledge is needed.

Become a USA Swimming Official today and follow the link below!

Become an Official Today!

For questions and assistance, please reach out to

Gulf Swimming Official’s Chair (Matt Sale) at officialschair@gulfswimming.org