Open Water Zones Application & Selection Criteria

Event: 2027 Southern Zone Open Water Championships

Date: April 23-25, 2027

Location: Fort Lauderdale (Pompano Beach Pier)

Team Composition:

• Age Groups: 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, Open
• Team Size: Up to 6 athletes per age group and gender

Eligibility Criteria:

1. USA Swimming Registration: All athletes must be registered with USA Swimming (North Texas Swimming) and in good standing.
2. Qualifying Standards: Athletes must have achieved at least a AA time standard based on the 2025-2028 USA Swimming Motivational Time Standards.

• 11-12: (top 6 per gender)

1. Priority 1: 400 Free

• 13-14: (top 6 per gender)

1. Priority 1: 1500 Free
2. Priority 2: 800 Free 
3. Priority 3: 400 Free

• 15-16: (top 6 per gender)

1. Priority 1: 1500 Free
2. Priority 2: 800 Free
3. Priority 3: 400 Free

• Open: (top 6 per gender)

1. Priority 1: 1500 Free 
2. Priority 2: 800 Free
3. Priority 3: 400 Free
4. Proof of Time: Times must be from sanctioned USA Swimming meets and verifiable through the USA Swimming SWIMS database.
5. Qualifying Period: Times must be achieved between April 1, 2025 and December 31, 2026.

Application Process:

• Deadline: October 18, 2026
• Required Documents:
• Completed application form
• Signed code of conduct- provided after selection process
• Payment for 13 & Over athletes- $1300 (to cover flight, transportation, hotel, food, & entry fees (individual race, knock out, and relays)
• Payment for 11-12 athletes- $450 (to cover food, entry fees, individual race, know out, and relays)
• Once your athlete is selected, you will receive the form to complete and pay. A non refundable deposit will be required in November to hold your athlete’s spot. The remaining balance will be due in February & March of 2027. 
• Application Requirement: Athletes must apply no later than October 18, 2026  to be considered for the first round of selections.
• Athletes will be notified no later than November 2, 2026. 

Travel & Expenses:

• 13 & Over Athletes will travel as a team together. 12 & Under Athletes will travel with their parents. 
• Group Travel: 13 & Over NTSI athletes will travel as a team with an appropriate number of staff & chaperones. 
• A room block is being set up for parents to book rooms as well as the 11-12 athletes and their families. 
• Hotel Information: 

Home 2 Suites by Hilton Pompano Beach Pier

200 N Ocean Blvd.

Pompano Beach, FL 33062

• LSC Support: North Texas Swimming coach representatives will attend the event. Additional staff & chaperones will be added as needed based on the number of participants. 
• Head Coach- Kennedy Lovell from TFA 
• Meals will be organized by NTSI. 
• Team Gear: Each athlete will receive a team cap, shirt/ tank & other team items.

Selection Criteria:

• Top 6 applicants per gender in each age group based on qualifying times.
• In case of tie-breakers, the fastest swimmer in the SCY version of the event (500/ 1650/1000) will be taken.
• Converted times will not be accepted. 
• If all of the spots are not filled in the first application period, the remaining spots will be filled with athletes that apply in a second round of applications (December) using SCY & LCM times. This application will only be used to fill spots that are not already filled. Athletes that apply and are selected in the first round will NOT lose their spot. 

Additional Information:

• Check-in & Race Procedures: Athletes must comply with all event regulations as outlined in the meet information packet.
• Health & Safety: Athletes are expected to follow all safety protocols.

For questions, please contact Jaime Lewis.