About THSC

Thunderbolt Swimming is a competitive swim team committed to athletic excellence. Dedication, determination, and persistence are the choices we expect of an individual. These choices may produce an Olympic Champion. These choices will produce champions in life.

Serving Washington County since 1957, Thunderbolt Swimming (THSC) is one of the oldest programs in the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District (THPRD). With 200-250 participating swimmers each year, THSC is the largest swim club in Oregon, and one of the largest and most successful in the Northwest. Open to swimmers ages 4 and older, THSC draws top swimmers from throughout the Greater Portland area. Swimmers compete at local, regional, national and international levels. THSC alumni include several Olympians and numerous NCAA competitors. THSC is proud to have achieved a national reputation and ranking while remaining one of the largest public swim clubs in the United States.
Thunderbolt Swimming fosters the growth and development of the community youth in a competitive swimming environment by promoting valuable life long skills. THSC is a nonprofit, tax-exempt member of USA Swimming and Oregon Swimming Inc., and is administered by a voluntary Board of Directors elected by the parents of the swimmers.
THSC provides an environment in which swimmers of all levels may develop to their fullest, whether they are beginners or world class athletes. This process of development and achievement is designed to carry over into personal development outside swimming. Age-group competitive swimming offers an exciting and worthwhile experience in a young person's life. It can be learned and enjoyed by those with very little natural ability, as well as those who are of Olympic caliber, and its values go far beyond that of learning efficiency in the water.
It should be understood that not every child can become a world class swimmer. However, if the program is well planned and directed, the participants will gain from the experience whether or not they ever win a single race. Trophies, medals, and records run a poor second when compared to the aforementioned objectives; in many respects, age group swimming is a preparation for life. The hardest worker in the pool does not always win the race, just as the most studious person does not necessarily receive the highest grade nor the hardest worker in a shop earn the most money. All athletes will learn, however, that to reach their potential, they must apply themselves and work diligently, consistently and conscientiously. This lesson will be of immeasurable worth, not only in each athlete's swimming career, but in achieving goals throughout his/her life.
It is a basic assumption that for an age-group competitive program to succeed, it must encompass and challenge all who participate, as well as follow a continuous developmental progression. Children should be exposed to water as soon as possible so as to learn the feel of movement through it much the same as they sense movement and balance out of the water. Since their water sense can only come through continued and constant exposure to water, emphasis is placed on teaching different methods of moving through water, with each succeeding step bringing about an increased sophistication in stroke technique.
At THSC, swimmers are grouped by ability and age with the youngest and the least experienced swimmers practicing two to three times per week and the senior swimmers practicing nine or more times per week. Work out schedules and squad placements are determined by the coaching staff.
Coaching of the new and/or very young swimmer is oriented towards the development of swimming basics, including the four strokes, turns, and starts. Early development of the competitive swimmer will emphasize enjoyment of the sport. Work on technique will be balanced with a certain amount of fun and games.
The more experienced swimmer is exposed to coaching which is oriented towards increased conditioning and advanced training concepts including mental preparation and nutrition. During the early season, emphasis is placed on technique with a gradual shift to conditioning training as the season progresses.
The Senior Squads, which are the highest level, are composed of swimmers who have intensively trained for many years. They have made a commitment to become top-flight swimmers. They train for three to five hours daily, and combine dryland training, swimming, and other aspects necessary for competition at the national level.
THSC coaching staff is composed of people with professional training, dedication to swimming, a continuing desire to learn, and a great deal of enthusiasm. The coaching staff's experience and past performance demonstrate their expertise. Past performance include World Record holders, Olympic and National Team members, along with numerous state and national record holders.
The development of swimmers as competitors comes from the growth and maturation of an individual through discipline, hard work, trial and error, success and failure. It is important to realize that while swimming can be a small world, it must be only a part of an individual's life. The most successful swimmers have a good deal of positive support from parents, who realize that swimming is only a complement to the development of their child and not the child's only reason for existing. The experience of swimming can be most beneficial only if the goal setting is that of the swimmer and not of the parent. It is from this perspective that the most lasting value is realized from the THSC program. Viewed in this respect, swimming can be an enjoyable sport that is both exciting and useful.
THSC will promote conditioning, nutrition, and good health as lifetime priorities. THSC enables team members to attain personal goals and to contribute to team goals. THSC is the premier age group and senior program in the Northwest. The long-term goal is to be the top program in United States Swimming and to attain international recognition.