Shark Week has been around on the Discovery Channel since 1988, but in the last half-decade or so, it has exploded into a cult-like cultural phenomenon. For a week straight every summer, Discovery plays almost exclusive shark-themed programming.
It’s good timing, as for the week between U.S. Nationals and the beginning of the European Championships, there’s about a one-week lull, which perfectly coincides with Discovery’s Shark Week.
So, in honor of Shark Week, we’re going to give you Tim Binning’s version by highlighting some of the top “shark” images in his database.
Think you’ve got better Shark Shots? Send them to [email protected]. We’ll be highlighting the best of #sharkweek all week.
King shark Caeleb Dressel from Bolles will be a Gator in less than a month, but the memories he left as a shark (first 18 & under better than 19 seconds in the 50 yard free) won’t soon be forgotten. (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
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Clara Smiddy is a Junior National Team member, a Junior National Meet Record holder, a member of the 2014 Youth Olympic Games team, and an AK Shark. (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
This Bolles Shark has swum the 100 yard fly than any other high schooler in United States history. He’s also a Commonwealth Games medalist representing Singapore. (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
Hear, we see Bethany Leap, a Sarasota YMCA Shark, preparing to attack her prey. (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
Another Sarasota YMCA Shark, Danielle Valley, was a finalist at the 2012 Olympic Trials. (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
Anya Groeders was one of the youngest swimmers at Junior Nationals at only 13 years old. She’s specifically a MAKO Shark. (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
Marijn Van Zundert now swims at Indiana, but he came all the way to the U.S. from the Netherlands to be a Bolles Shark. (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
Leonardo Sanchez runs with the Desert Sharks Swim Team in El Paso, Texas. That’s what we call “irony”. (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
Ryan Murphy made quite an impression in 2014 as a Cal Bear, but his roots are as a Bolles Shark. This process is what scientists call “evolution.” (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
Madison White is another shark turned bear – she used to be a Crow Canyon Country Club Shark, now she’s a UCLA Bruin. (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
Meghan Haila, another breaststroking Bolles Shark. (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
Amanda Kendall was a medalist at the 2011 Pan Am Games while swimming for LSU. Before and after her time at LSU, she spent time as a Mason Mako shark. (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
Javier Barrena is a Bolles Shark. (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
Matthew Garcia shows that The Sarasota YMCA species of Sharks can swim on their backs too.
Class of 2017 shark Austin Katz from the Sarasota YMCA Sharks swam at Junior Nationals last week. (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
Nancy Hu of the Sarasota YMCA Sharks. (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
Abi Wilder, another of the Bolles Sharks variety. (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
Didn’t think a Shark could climb up on a block? Bolles Sharks like McKenna Debeever have somehow mastered walking on their tails. (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
When a shark jumps into the air, it’s called “breaching.” See Tyler Rice, a Bolles Shark, demonstrate. (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
Daddy shark, Bolles Sharks coach Sergio Lopez, assists his swimmers in developing their sharkiness. (Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
Anya Goeders was the youngest swimmer, but not at junior nationals, but instead at phillips 66 summer nationals 2014, and she placed 48th over all