Norfolk Silver Dolphins (NSD) is a non-profit organization dedicated to making the joy and lifelong benefits of competitive swimming accessible to all Norfolk residents through an inclusive, flexible, and affordable program.

Swimming and participating in a team sport offer well-documented physical and mental health benefits, including reduced anxiety, heightened self-confidence, enhanced cognitive function, and vital water safety skills. Living in a coastal community surrounded by water, every child in our city benefits from these life skills.

"Thank you for a great experience for my daughter (14)! She is already sad it's over. It really was super helpful with her confidence and self-esteem. We are so grateful she had this opportunity!"

— Allison Evans (2023 Winter Season Parent)

Program Details & Expectations

• Eligibility: Open to all youth ages 5 to 18.
• Prerequisite: Swimmers must be capable of unassisted completion of one 25-yard pool length using a standard competitive stroke (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly).
• Practice Schedule: Evening practices are held Monday through Friday, and swimmers are encouraged to attend at least 2–3 practices per week.
• Competitions & USA Swimming: Our regular season features 4 intrasquad meets. Additionally, through our partnership with USA Swimming (now entering our 6th season), swimmers have the option to register with USA Swim (~$88.00/year) to participate in additional monthly competitive meets.
• Mandatory Parent Volunteering: As a parent-run non-profit, volunteer participation is required for all families. Active parent involvement is essential to keeping our team operating smoothly and creating a great season for our swimmers.

Community Partnerships

NSD proudly collaborates with local organizations