BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Plan ahead to cure the summertime blues.
Coming off a successful inaugural season, the Bethlehem Tides swim team is back again for more competitive swimming come summer, the team recently announced.
Calling swimmers ages 6 through high school age, registration for past swimmers opened Feb. 1. New swimmer registration opens on Feb. 15.
The cost per swimmer for each family is $225, $200 and $180, respectively. City lifeguards 16 or older can swim for $125.
A city pool pass comes with the swimmer registration fee — no need to purchase separately.
“We were able to take swimmers who had never swam before and turn them into confident swimmers, helping them have the best summers of their lives at Memorial Pool."Sara Collins, Bethlehem Aquatic Club president and Bethlehem Tides coach
Sara Collins, Bethlehem Aquatic Club president and Bethlehem Tides coach, said last year’s turnout ended up “far exceeding our expectations,” with double the expected swimmers at 94 total. The team even won four of its eight meets.
“We were able to take swimmers who had never swam before and turn them into confident swimmers, helping them have the best summers of their lives at Memorial Pool," Collins said in a press release.
A half-century of history
The team’s origins date back to the start of the Bethlehem Aquatic Club — founded more than 50 years ago by Bethlehem Area School District physical education teachers Bill and Sherry Ruth. The club is set to launch again this summer.
"The coaches make swimming fun! My favorite memory of summer swim was in playing all the games the coaches set up for us and all the friends I made," young swimmer Amelia said.
"The coaches make swimming fun! My favorite memory of summer swim was in playing all the games the coaches set up for us and all the friends I made."Young Bethlehem Tides swimmer Amelia
Said one dedicated swim parent, Jennifer DeBalko, “My daughter has competed for eight seasons, but under the guidance of these skilled, relationship-driven coaches, she achieved remarkable progress in her strokes, starts, and turns — growth unlike anything we had seen in previous seasons.”
“She looked forward to every swim practice, dryland training, or swim meet.”
'A positive impact on the lives of all those who participate'
The Tides team, based at Memorial Pool, 259 Illick’s Mill Road, is part of the 9-team Suburban Swim League of the Greater Lehigh Valley.
It comes through a collaboration of the city Recreation Bureau and Bethlehem Aquatic Club, set forth “to advance interest and access to swimming and aquatic-related programs and activities.”
"We believe that access to swimming provides lifesaving skills and that this program will have a positive impact on the lives of all those who participate," city Recreation Director Jodi Evans said.
'The best way to spend your summer'
The team's six-week schedule includes eight meets, both home and away.
In-home matchups at Memorial Pool, the Bethlehem Tides will take on the Palmerton Porpoises, Macungie Bears, Quakertown Dolphins and Hanover Stingrays.
Away meets include contests against Northampton KIDS, the Palmerton Porpoises, Lower Macungie Lazers, Soleco Stingrays of Coopersburg and Whitehall Waves.
“We believe that competitive swimming is the best way to spend your summer, and we are excited to help our swimmers reach their full potential."Bethlehem Tides coach Jamie Bloss
Another of the team’s coaches, Jamie Bloss, said the staff “is dedicated to providing a fun and safe environment for swimmers of all levels.
“We believe that competitive swimming is the best way to spend your summer, and we are excited to help our swimmers reach their full potential," Bloss said.
The city’s 2025 pool season is set to open Saturday, June 7.
