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2026 NCS Club Development Incentive

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The 2026 North Carolina Swimming Club Development Incentive Program is now live.

Clubs can access the Online Application Form here.

All NCS clubs are eligible to participate in the Club Development Incentive Program.

Clubs can claim achievements that occurred between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026. Clubs can select the points that are most relevant to them and are not required to answer all questions. The max payout is $1,000 and will be calculated for all eligible clubs submitting online applications by October 15, 2026.

Questions? Contact Trish Martin at adminchair@ncswim.org

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2027 OPEN WATER ZONE TEAM: Application Open

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OPEN WATER ZONE TEAM: 

APPLICATION NOW OPEN until September 14, 2026

The NCS Open Zone Team will be selected through a combination of the NCS Open Water Zone Team Selection Meet (Carolina Cup) and an open application process. The top three finishing applicants in each age-group event at the Carolina Cup will receive automatic bids and first right of refusal.

*NOTE: When entering athletes in the Carolina Cup, please note that the NCS Zone Team selection will be based on each athlete’s age as of April 23, 2027. Please enter athletes in the correct event for their age group: 12 & Under should enter the 2K, and 13 & Over should plan to swim 3K. *Entries for Carolina Cup are due Wednesday, September 2, 2026 by 6:00pm

All remaining team spots and up to two alternate positions will be selected through the application process, with priority given to Open Water results during the qualifying period (September 6, 2025-September 12, 2026), 1500 LCM time, 1500 SCM time, and 1650-yard time, in that order using the points system shown in the NCS policy here (2.6).

Note: All athletes must apply to be considered for selection to Open Water Zones 2027 – April 23 – 25, 2027.  Selection will be based on the age of April 23, 2027. Applicants can apply here. The application will close on Monday, September 14, 2026

For more information contact OW Chair, Rachel Muller – rachel.muller@ymcatriangle.org

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2027 LC MEET BID PACKET

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MEET BID PROCEDURE: Please use the form below to submit your 2027 Long Course meet bids by 10/4/26.

Here is the bid packet for submitting meet bids for the 2027 long course season. It includes both the Meet Bid Framework and the Meet Bid Form.

Meet Bid Framework

The meet bid framework provides dates of notable meets, including sectional and national events, and indicates closed weekends during the 2027 long course season.

Meet Bid Form

The meet bid form is the method for submitting your meet bids to the meet scheduling committee. Simply complete and submit a form for each of your club’s meet bids.  Please note the closed weekends when submitting bids.

Completing the Meet Bid Form

The meet bid form allows the Meet Scheduling committee to gather and provide clubs with complete and consistent meet information. The form is divided into three sections:

  1. Basic Meet Information (dates, host club, meet name, location, etc.)
  2. Meet Type (meet type, course type, meet category, age group)
  3. Meet Fees (individual fees, relay fees, facility fees, travel fund, parking, other)

Click the link to the Meet Bid Form to get started. After completing all required fields (identified by an asterisk) in a section, click NEXT. After completing the entire form, click SUBMIT.  You will be asked if you want to submit another response.  If you do, click “submit another response” and repeat the process for your next meet.

Meet bids submitted will automatically populate the 2027 Long Course Bid Schedule posted on the NCS website. Here, you can view what you’ve submitted. (The spreadsheet does not automatically sort by date, so the most recently submitted bids will appear at the bottom but will be sorted periodically as bids come in.)

Meet Bid Deadline:10/4/26
Schedule Planning Meeting:10/4/26
Meet Calendar Approved:10/4/26 *HOD
Approved Calendar Posted:10/6/26

If you have any questions on the Meet Bid Form contact Lisa Olack – olack.lisa@gmail.com

REMINDER:

Clubs must be Safe Sport Recognized to bid on NCS Championship meets. 

Meets will not be sanctioned unless the host club is Safe Sport Recognized.

NOTE:

Pending legislation may open the closed weekends in April, July (Fall HOD, Open Water Champs, Age Group Champs, and Senior Champs). Please bid your meets assuming these weekends are closed but note on the bid form if you prefer to change your bid date if the legislation passes.

Thank you,

Kevin Thornton
Scheduling Coordinator

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2026 FALL HOD – SWIMPOSIUM

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North Carolina Swimming will be hosting a Swimposium Saturday, October 3, 2026 at the Greensboro Aquatic Center and Special Events area located by the pool. Everyone is invited Athletes, Coaches, Officials, Parents, and the Swimming Community. Register for the Swimposium below to join us. One Community.  One Purpose. Championing Excellence Together.

The 2026 NCS Fall House of Delegates meetings, in conjunction with Swimposium, will be held at the Greensboro Aquatic Center / Coliseum in Greensboro on Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, 2026. Below is the preliminary schedule of HOD weekend events. The schedule is subject to change so check for any updates as it gets closer to the date.

2026 FALL HOD WEEKEND SCHEDULE

2026 SWIMPOSIUM Registration Link

2026 Fall HOD Proposed Legislation

HOTEL INFORMATION:

NCS has limited blocks of rooms at the following hotels for Friday and Saturday night for those who will be staying over. Call or click the reservation links below to reserve your room

HOTELADDRESSPHONELINK
Hampton Inn & Suites Greensboro Coliseum Area3033 West Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27403336-553-1818*Call to reserve under NC Swimming
Group Code (NC Swimming)(Limited Room Block)$189 / night
Courtyard Greensboro4400 W. Wendover Ave336-294-3800Booking Link HERE
Group Code (North Carolina Swimming)(Limited Room Block – call for reservation)$149 /night*Must Book before 9/11/26
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott4308 Big Tree Way, Greensboro, NC 27403336-369-1300Book your group rate for N.C. SWIMMING ALL STAR
Group Code (NC Swimming)(Limited Room Block until 9/11)$ 139 /night
Holiday Inn Greensboro Coliseum3005 West Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27403336-294-4565*Call for rate
Hilton Garden Inn Greensboro4307 Big Tree Way, Greensboro, NC336-369-1300Book Your group rate for N.C. SWIMMING ALL STAR
(Limited Room Block available through 9/11)$164/ nightBooking Link

#NCSBetter2Gether #WEARENCS

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NCS Official at 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

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Minneapolis, Minnesota – Congratulations to NCS Official, Colleen Gillan, serving at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Colleen says “I am grateful and thankful to service athletes with intellectual disabilities. I learn to love the sport of swim each time I see them compete.” Thank YOU, Colleen, for your dedication and service to our Swimming community and beyond. Keep Making a difference in the lives of Many. #WEARENCS

Swimming was one of the premier 16 sports featured at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota, which took place from June 20–26, 2026. The swimming competitions were hosted at the state-of-the-art Freeman Aquatic Center on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis.

Click Here for Event Overview:

  • Dates: June 20–26, 2026
  • Venue: Freeman Aquatic Center, University of Minnesota
  • Participants: Part of a broader gathering of 3,000 athletes and 1,500 coaches representing 52 state programs across the country.
  • Events: Included multiple traditional and inspiring races, all events in the swimming competition.

Key Highlights

  • Inclusion and Joy: Swimmers from various state delegations—including standout local and national competitors—showcased incredible sportsmanship, with events drawing large crowds of cheering fans.
  • Overall Success: The massive statewide event served as the largest humanitarian event in Minnesota’s history, highlighting athletic excellence and inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games united 3,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers, and 75,000 fans from all 50 states. Through the power of sports and inclusion, the USA Games have sparked a change that will transform lives, communities, and the world.
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NCS Athletes Experience Inaugural MEGA LSC Swim Festival in Southern California

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Irvine, CA – North Carolina Swimming (NCS) was proud to take part in the inaugural MEGA LSC Athlete Experience Swim Festival surrounding the Pan Pacific Championships in Southern California. Each participating LSC selected 32 athletes through USA Swimming’s Pan Pac Selector Tool, which utilized a variety of criteria to identify top-ranked athletes, athletes demonstrating rapid improvement, and swimmers showcasing versatility across events. The result was a unique Future Forward opportunity designed to bring athletes together beyond their individual LSCs and create an experience centered on collaboration, connection, education, and exposure to international swimming.

Four LSCs came together for the inaugural MEGA LSC experience, giving athletes the opportunity to meet and build relationships with swimmers from across the country while participating in training sessions, educational opportunities, and outdoor training in Mission Viejo. The experience culminated each evening at the Pan Pacific Championships, where athletes came together as a swimming community to proudly cheer on Team USA from the front row of the international stage.

For many athletes, the experience was truly once-in-a-lifetime. They had opportunities to hear from and meet guest Olympians, collect autographs and photos, and witness some of the fastest swimming in the world. Athletes experienced World Records, American Records, and Pan Pac Meet Records being shattered while surrounded by teammates and new friends from across the country. And, of course, there was plenty of California sunshine, making the week even more memorable!

The inaugural MEGA LSC Athlete Experience provided NCS athletes with much more than a trip to watch an international competition. It created opportunities to connect, learn, train, be inspired, and experience the power of swimming as a national community. It was a true Future Forward experience—and, as the athletes shared throughout the week, they truly had the time of their lives. Check out the Swimming World article highlighting the MEGA LSC Athlete Experience!

#NCSFutureForward

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NCS Officials: Pan Pacific Championships

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Irvine, CA– August 12-15, 2026 – NCS Officials representing at the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships. Thank You to our NCS Officials Mike Trexler, Rob Stevens, *Meet Referee: Trish Martin, Anne Marie Schneider, and Mike Long. Thanks to each of you for your service, and all that you do for our swimming community worldwide.

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NCS Officials at JR Nationals- Irvine

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Irvine, CA– August 3-8, 2026 – NCS Officials representing at the 2026 Speedo Junior National Championships. Thank You to our NCS Officials James Christopher, Chris Jung, and Shaunna Tobin. Thanks to each of you for your service, and all that you do for our athletes and NCS. #WEARENCS

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NCS WINS 2026 SZAG CHAMPS

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Orlando, Florida – Congratulations to our NCS Zone team winning the 2026 Southern Zone Age Group Meet in Orlando, Florida last week. North Carolina lead the entire meet expanding their lead daily. Congratulations to all NCS Athletes and staff on winning the seventh consecutive title of the Southern Zone Age Group Championship meet. To see highlights and results from the meet check out 2026 SZAG Championship Meet Way to Go NCS!

North Carolina Swimming traveled with a team of 61 (48 athletes, 12 of each gender for 11-12 and 13-14 age groups, 3 adapted swimmers, and 10 staff). Thank you to the Zone Team swimmers, staff, and chaperones for making North Carolina Swimming proud! #WEARENCS

See below our Podium Highlights slideshow

Copy of 26 Southern Zone Orlando, FL
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