West Shore YMCA Swim Team

Ages 7-10

Description: This practice group is our beginning level of our competitive team. Practices are located at the West Shore YMCA. Swimmers will learn the 4 competitive strokes. Proper technique of body position, arm-strokes, kicking and breathing skills will be the focus.

Practice Level Prerequisites: Swimmers must be able to swim 25 yards freestyle (with rotary breathing) and backstroke. Swimmers must also be comfortable in deep water and in a group setting away from parents.

Practice Frequency: Swimmers in this competitive level will have the opportunity to practice three (3) days per week.

Training Goals: Goals of the AG-A practice group include: completing a legal 100 IM in a meet, completing a flip turn, streamlining past the flags underwater with dolphin kicks, and flutter kicking as well as proper turns at the walls and starts from a starting block. Swimmers will also learn competitive readiness and practice discipline.

Swim Meet Opportunities: Swimmers will compete in at least one swim meet per month, in addition to end-of-year championship meets.

Ages 8-12

Description: Practices are located at the West Shore YMCA. Swimmers should be comfortable with training up to 75 minutes per day with good listening skills. Swimmers who are comfortable with all four competitive strokes will learn competitive readiness, practice discipline and developing proper stroke techniques, and forming correct practice habits.

Practice Level Prerequisites: Swimmers must be able to demonstrate a legal 100 IM, and swim at least 300 yards non-stop with flip turns. Practice Frequency: Swimmers in this competitive level will have the opportunity to practice four (4) days per week.

Training Goals: Swimmers will learn to read a pace clock as well as understand practice performances and how they relate to swim meet performances. Specific training goals include Flutter kick 10 x 25 :35, Swim 10 x 50 :55, Swim 3 x 200 IM legally as well as attain YMCA District qualifying times.

Swim Meet Opportunities: Swimmers will compete in approximately one to two swim meets per month, in addition to end-of-year championship meets.

Ages 10-14

Description: Practices are located at the West Shore YMCA. Swimmers who are comfortable with all four competitive strokes will learn competitive readiness, practice discipline and developing proper stroke technique and forming correct practice habits.

Practice Level Prerequisites: A commitment to improve skills and conditioning is a must. Swimmers should be comfortable with training up to 90 minutes per day in the water, and another 15 minutes of dry land training with good listening skills. Flutter kick 10 x 25 :35, Swim 10 x 50 :55, Swim 3 x 200 IM legally. Practice Frequency: Swimmers in this competitive level will have the opportunity to practice five (5) days per week.

Training Goals: YMCA District qualifying time in the 200 Free and 200 IM and swim a 500 freestyle properly with 6 underwater kicks off all walls. Swimmers should be able to swim 8 x 100 1:40 freestyle, as well as swim faster than 1:15 in 100 yard free in practice.

Swim Meet Opportunities: Swimmers will compete in approximately one to two swim meets per month, in addition to end-of-year championship meets. Swimmers in this group should be members of USA swimming.

Ages 12-15

Description: This practice group meets at Messiah College (Oct-April), West Shore Country Club, Outdoors in September, as well as May and Hampden Township pool in June and July. This is the top level for our Age Group swimmers, which will prepare the athletes for our senior program.

Practice Level Prerequisites: Swimmers must be able to perform freestyle repeats up to 500 yards; 100+ yards of all strokes (Fly/Back/Breast) with strong technique; endurance and technique to handle practices confidently with a strong commitment.

Swimmers will have an opportunity to practice six (6) days per week. A commitment to training and learning is expected. This group will be limited to 30 swimmers. Proper skill development and good training habits are the goals of this group. Swimmers in this group must have (at minimum) the YMCA District Qualifying time in the 200 Free and 200 IM, and swim 1000 yards properly. Swimmers will compete in approximately one-two meets per month, in addition to expected attendance in YMCA Districts/States/Nationals for those who qualify.

Training Goals: Swim a legal 400 IM in a meet under 5:30, 30 x 25 :30 flutter kick, 15 x 100 1:25 freestyle, 12 x 100 1:40 IM, 200 free under 2:10 and 500 free under 5:35, 200 IM under 2:25.

All swimmers in this group will be billed a yearly USA Swimming registration fee of $70.

Ages 14+

Description: This practice group meets at Messiah College (Oct-April), West Shore Country Club, Outdoors in September, as well as May and Hampden Township pool in June and July. Level is for experienced swimmers that are committed to high standards in training in terms of attendance and practice intensity. Time management relative to academics and training is of the utmost importance.

Practice Level Prerequisites: Swimmers in this group must be able to train at a high level for at least two hours. Swimmers in this level are expected to maintain 80% practice attendance. Proper stroke mechanics are necessary, and further emphasis is placed on intense training, mental preparation, and advance race strategy. The goal of this group is the National meets in April and August as well as the High School State meet.

A high level of commitment and attendance is required in order to participate in this group. Swimming in college is an objective of swimmers in this practice group and assistance with the recruiting process is offered to all group members. To be a member of this group is a commitment not a convenience.

Training Goals: Swimmers must have either Y Long Course National “Q” times or be in 9th grade to be in this group.

All swimmers in this group will be billed a yearly USA Swimming registration fee of $70.

Are you looking for a fun and safe activity to get out of the house? What about keeping the kids active, while helping them learn essential life-saving skills? Our West Shore YMCA homeschool competitive swimming program provides a unique opportunity for homeschooled children to join our swim program during the “low-traffic” daytime slot in a nurturing, close-knit, positive environment. 

Though the goals for each individual swimmer will vary, it is our intention to provide exceptional coaching focused on the whole person.  Homeschool swimmers are not required to compete in meets but will be coached to the same standard as a swimmer who will (this is not lap swimming or swimming lessons). Prerequisites for this program include being comfortable swimming one length of the pool on your stomach and one length of the pool on your back.

The West Shore YMCA Homeschool Swim Team is a program for homeschool swimmers that focuses on skill development in the four competitive strokes as well as learning competitive swimming terminology, stroke drills, turns, starts, and developing physical fitness and endurance in a fun, less competitive environment. This group will practice twice a week for 75 minutes. The age group ranges between 8-18 years old. 

Current Session

Schedule:

• September 11, 2023–May 22, 2024
• Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:15-1:30 PM

Fees:

• YMCA Members: $50/month
• Community Guests: $75/month