Our Safety First - Affiliations & Certifications
Ocean Training Sessions
KEY INFORMATION & FAQ
- IMPORTANT: Current membership guarantees access to all ocean workouts in our summer programs. Drop-ins passes are limited availability and must be purchased in advance.
- Membership cards are for that individual ONLY. Guests {When allowed} will have to pre-purchase a Drop-in pass.
- Memberships are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Basic membership passes are valid for 13 months from the date of purchase, but space is not guaranteed if the membership has expired.
- Swims take place on the days and within the dates listed. However we occasionally have to cancel a session due to weather, water or wildlife. We post updates via Twitter using #OCSC the night before and the morning of the swims to give those coming from further away as much notice as possible. Schedule updates can also be found on our Facebook Page HERE
- Location: All swimmers check in before entering the water in parking lot on the South side of OCBP HQ at 5801 Central Ave, Ocean City, NJ 08226
- Time Slots: In the identified date windows: MEMBERS {Member Registration 7:15} - Sunday 7:30 - 9:00 AM, Drop-ins Sunday {Drop-in Registration Opens at 7:45} 8:00 - 9:00 AM, EVERYONE - Thursday 6:45 - 7:45 AM.
- Conditions & Cancellations: The ocean and beach can create it's own micro-conditions that may or may not be safe. We begin posting conditions the night before, the morning of (6:00 AM) and at the beach (6:30 AM) so you can plan your trip accordingly. The posts show up on Twitter under the tag #OCSC and on our Facebook page.
- Drop-In Refunds & Transfers: Due to the dynamic, rapidly changing conditions of our ocean venue and our focus on safety we will issue refunds for Drop-In purchases ONLY if we cancel prior to set-up on the beach. We may adjust the course to ensure safety while creating opportunities for an ocean workout within our approved window. Purchases can not be transferred to another session. For weather or water condition cancellations full refunds will be issued the day of the cancelled swim.
- Water Temperatures: Early season lows can be in the 50's with mid-season highs in the mid 70's. Follow the ocean condition links to learn more.
- Wetsuits: Always optional based on individual preference. {So too are Fins, Swim Buoys or any other aid that will not impede or interfere negatively with other swimmers, personal safety and the safety of our lifeguard team.}
- Participants MUST be 18 or over unless they are an active, certified member of one of our approved beach patrols.
DETAILS
Our supported and guarded ocean training sessions are why the OC Swim Club was started and remain the core of our open water offerings. The focus is always to provide welcoming, inclusive, safe and positive ocean experiences for everyone with support for first time ocean swimmers to seasoned ocean veterans.
Dates: Mid-May until Late-September.
Location: Parking lot on the South side of OCBP HQ at 5801 Central Ave, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Sundays: Sunday before Memorial Day Weekend through the 2nd Sunday after Labor Day from 7:30 - 9:00 AM {MEMBERS) 8:00 - 9:00 AM {DROP-INS}, 59th St. beach just south of jetty and lifeguard HQ, Ocean City, NJ (Weather permitting). We offer a semi-private early session for small groups or clubs. {E-mail us for more information} ADVANCED DROP-IN PURCHASE REQUIRED FOR NON-MEMBERS.
Thursdays: 2nd Thursday of July - 2nd Thursday of August, 6:45 - 7:45 AM, 59th St. beach just south of jetty, Ocean City, NJ- . ADVANCED PASS PURCHASE REQUIRED FOR NON-MEMBERS.
Course: 300 - 400 meter triangular course {Depending on conditions} roughly 100 meters off the beach with guards/coaches stationed on rescue boards, in the water and on the beach. The OCSC is proud to be setting the standard for safe open water and ocean training, and we pledge to create safe and positive experiences for all our participants.
Fees: $20 Single Drop-in for Non-Members {Limited Sessions}, Yearly Basic Membership ($140) includes a 10-Session pass card. Unlimited Membership ($210) allows access to all 59th St ocean sessions. Both memberships and accompanying passes are valid for one year from date of purchase. Current Basic Members whose 10-punches have been used up may continue to take part by paying a $15 Drop-in fee while their membership is current.
Waiver: Required for all singe events or coaching sessions. Complete after purchasing passes or sessions. Link Below.
Policies & Practices
Dates
Sunday sessions run from 1 week before Memorial Day Weekend through the second weekend after Labor Day. Thursday sessions begin the 2nd Thursday in July and run through the 2nd Thursday in August. Semi-private Sunday Early-Pod sessions for clubs and training groups are available the 2nd Sun in July through the 2nd Sun in August. Please contact us about personalized small group sessions for your training group or club.
Cancellations
We are an OCEAN swim club, and as such the weather, waves and water may impact the status of a session. We post updates on Facebook the night before a session, approximately 1 hour before a session and from the beach when we arrive to set up. The beach updates are also posted to Twitter which can also be viewed on our "Ocean & Open Water" page. We may also adjust the course and swim based on conditions. All drop-in passes will be 100% refunded in the event of a weather cancellation.
Required Advanced Purchase Drop-in Passes & Online Waivers
We welcome new participants for single or multiple sessions, but everyone must purchase a Single Session Drop-in Pass in advance for the session(s) they plan to attend. Single-Session participants must also complete an online waiver BEFORE joining any training session.
MANDATORY Sign-in/Sign-out Guidelines
EVERYONE MUST SIGN IN AND OUT IN THE PARKING LOT AT THE OCSC TABLE LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF OCBP 4TH ZONE LIFEGUARD HQ. Please sign-out immediately after leaving the water. Everyone must have completed an On-Line waiver prior to arriving at the beach. Participants will be given a number when they walk up. Please use a Sharpie to mark the number on the top of you hand or allow our team to assist you.
Wetsuits / Fins / Swim Buoys / Other Gear
What you wear and what you use is a personal choice unless that equipment may create a dangerous condition for you, others or the lifeguards.
Head Phones NEVER Allowed
Headphones of ANY type are NOT allowed in any of our ocean or open water sessions.
Lifeguard Safety Zone
Please respect a 6' safety zone around all lifeguards on the water and on the beach. Please do NOT rest on a lifeguard board unless you fear you are in imminent danger. NOTE: If surf conditions are deemed safe for their use, we allow swim buoys for those who want to rest out in the water. We prefer the Restube product that is only activated if needed for safety or floatation.
Swim Time Window
Sunday regular sessions MEMBERS 7:30 - 9:00. DROP-INS 7:45 - 9:00. Member check-in begins at 7:15. Drop-in check-in begins at 7:45. Thursday sessions are 6:45 - 7:45 AM. A whistle will blow at ten minutes before a session's end time for the "Last Lap" call.
Swim Caps / Safety Swim Buoys
ALL SWIMMERS MUST WEAR A BRIGHT COLORED SWIM CAP. White is NOT a bright color. Swim buoys MAY be allowed if surf conditions are not deemed to create a risk to lifeguards in the event of an assist or rescue. We recommend the use of Restube buoys that are "Inflate-On-Demand."
Blue Ocean Partners
Early Pod Sunday Sessions
Offering Pre-Booked, Semi-private Group Sessions
Book a semi-private ocean session for your club or group. These are offered on Sunday mornings in the summer from 6:30 - 7:30 AM with sign-ins starting at 6:20 AM. Groups wishing to book a session for the club or organization must contact us prior to purchasing to insure availability. All sessions are subject to cancellation due to dangerous weather, water or wave conditions. NOTE: Should a session be cancelled due to dangerous conditions, all efforts will be made to arrange an alternate date. Should a date not be available then a refund will be made minus a 10% administration fee. LEARN MORE & PURCHASE...
Be the First In the Water - Early Pod Sunday Sessions
Supporting Partners
Join - DropIn -Shop
The OC Swim Club shop has memberships, dropin passes and team gear. SEE YOU AT THE BEACH!