"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, let's get ready to rumble!"

While the famous Sleepy Hollow cheer dates from circa 2001, the team itself formed thirty years earlier. Sleepy Hollow resident Barbara McGee, whose own children had been USA Swim Team swimmers, decided that a swim team would be a great asset to the community and help promote pool usage. With some pointers from Anne Curtis and the enthusiastic support of Sleepy Hollow parents and kids, Mrs. McGee found a coach and got to work. In 1971 the Sleepy Hollow Swim Club--now the Sleepy Hollow Sea Lions, Inc.--entered the Marin Swim League. The original black and gold banner featured Rip Van Winkle asleep under a tree as a tribute to the author Washington Irving, after whose story Sleepy Hollow was named. Thank you, Mrs. McGee!

The Sleepy Hollow Swim Team still competes in the Marin Swim League, a summer league dedicated to providing and preserving quality amateur competitive swimming for swimmers ages 5-18 years with a season that runs from early March to July. We are a family-oriented program offering children valuable experience in self-discipline and healthy competition.  We strive for an atmosphere in which all swimmers can maximize their individual swimming potential without undue pressure. Over 4,000 kids have swum for the Sea Lions and thrived under our philosophy of Fun, Friendship, and Sportsmanship.   

According to Head Coach Mark Anderson, if we take care of the kids, the winning will take care of itself, and for Sleepy Hollow it certainly has.  Mark, his amazing assistant coaches, and our phenomenal swimmers have amassed 24 MSL Championship titles in a row, and compiled a winning streak of 108 consecutive swim meets (that’s the 8th longest winning streak by any coach, in any discipline, ever…yes, you read that correctly!) Sleepy Hollow swimmers have gone on to excel in college sports, and beyond. Look at our incredible Hall of Fame.

The Sea Lion experience is more than just swimming. Friendships made on our team- between swimmers and parents alike- last a lifetime. Our parent volunteer “Fun Committee” plans an itinerary of get-togethers and events throughout the season to encourage the fun and camaraderie outside of the pool. Some events include the family Pasta Potluck to kick off the season, Movie Nights for the younger age groups, Bark Buddies (young swimmers are paired with an older buddy swimmers to do some SHST bonding over ice cream), Casino Night (for our older swimmers), and the list goes on. The SHST is much more than swimming and we strive to create a fun, warm community-based environment for all of the families.

Come join us!  Click here to sign up and see what we’re barking about.

And, by the way, what the heck is “bootyakum”? It’s what we’re kicking!