The Family Registration Fee for the 2025/2026 season is $200 per family. Registration fee includes two (2) team t-shirts, one (1) team water bottle, team bag and team swim caps.

Note: The registration fee is NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE.

A Youth, Teen or Family membership is required to participate with the YMCA Competitive Swimming Programs.

This practice group meets at the YMCA and Messiah University from September to May and in June and July at the Hampden Township pool (50 meters). Swimmers will be assigned to this practice group based on meeting with Director of Competitive Swimming Mike Gobrecht, or assigned based on advancement from the Purple practice group.

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. Must be able to train at a high level for at least two hours.

All swimmers in this practice group will be members of USA Swimming.

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 championship meets in March and July.   Swimming in college is an objective of swimmers in this practice group and assistance with the recruiting process is offered to all group members.

Ages: Swimmers must be entering 9th grade
Practice Schedule: CLICK HERE
Location: West Shore YMCA+ Messiah University

Green group, formerly know as Age Group A, is our beginning level of our competitive team. Swimmers will be assigned to this practice group based on the August Evaluation Sessions.

Swimmers will learn the 4 competitive strokes. Proper technique of body position, arm-strokes, kicking and breathing skills will be the focus.

Prerequisites: Swimmers must be able to swim 25 yards freestyle (with rotary breathing) and backstroke and have a general understanding of breaststroke and butterfly. Swimmers must also be comfortable in deep water and in a group setting away from parents.

Training Goals:

• Completing a legal 100 IM in a meet
• Completing a flip turn
• Streamlining past the flags underwater with dolphin kicks
• Flutter kicking
• 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.

Program Fees: for Green Group are for practices beginning Tuesday, September 16 through Thursday, March 12, 2026. Program Fees for Green Group do NOT include Summer League Swimming with the Hampden Ducks. There will be a separate registration fee ($150 per swimmer) for those interested.

Practice Schedule: CLICK HERE
Location: West Shore YMCA

Green group, formerly know as Age Group A, is our beginning level of our competitive team. Swimmers will be assigned to this practice group based on the August Evaluation Sessions.

Swimmers will learn the 4 competitive strokes. Proper technique of body position, arm-strokes, kicking and breathing skills will be the focus.

Prerequisites: Swimmers must be able to swim 25 yards freestyle (with rotary breathing) and backstroke and have a general understanding of breaststroke and butterfly. Swimmers must also be comfortable in deep water and in a group setting away from parents.

Training Goals:

• Completing a legal 100 IM in a meet
• Completing a flip turn
• Streamlining past the flags underwater with dolphin kicks
• Flutter kicking
• 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.

Program Fees: for Green Group are for practices beginning Tuesday, September 16 through Thursday, March 12, 2026. Program Fees for Green Group do NOT include Summer League Swimming with the Hampden Ducks. There will be a separate registration fee ($150 per swimmer) for those interested.

Practice Schedule: CLICK HERE
Location: West Shore YMCA

Swimmers will be assigned to this practice group based on the August Evaluation Sessions or assigned by coaches due to advancement from the Green (AGA) practice group.

All swimmers in this practice group will be members of USA Swimming.

Swimmers should be comfortable with training up to 75-90 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 technique and forming correct practice habits.

Prerequisites: Swimmers must be able to demonstrate a legal 100 IM, and swim at least 300 yards non stop with flip turns.

Practices: Swimmers in this 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.
• 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.

Practice Schedule: CLICK HERE
Location: West Shore YMCA

Swimmers will be assigned to this practice group based on the August Evaluation Sessions or assigned by coaches due to advancement from the Green (AGA) practice group.

All swimmers in this practice group will be members of USA Swimming.

Swimmers should be comfortable with training up to 75-90 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 technique and forming correct practice habits.

Prerequisites: Swimmers must be able to demonstrate a legal 100 IM, and swim at least 300 yards non stop with flip turns.

Practices: Swimmers in this 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.
• 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.

Practice Schedule: CLICK HERE
Location: West Shore YMCA

Private Competitive Swimming lessons are available to YMCA members only. All private swim lessons are 45 minutes and taught by a member of our WSY  Competitive Swimming Coaching staff.

For more info, contact: Michael Gobrecht, Director of Competitive Swimming at [email protected]

Swimmers will be assigned to this practice group based on the August Evaluation Sessions or assigned by coaches due to advancement from the Red practice group.

All swimmers in this practice group will be members of USA Swimming.

This is the top level for our Age Group swimmers, that will prepare the athletes for our Senior program. 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/week. A commitment to training and learning is expected. Proper skill development and good training habits are the goals of this group. Swimmers in this group must have (at min.) 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.

Practice Schedule: CLICK HERE
Location: West Shore YMCA+ Messiah University

Swimmers will be assigned to this practice group based on the August Evaluation Sessions or assigned by coaches due to advancement from the Red practice group.

All swimmers in this practice group will be members of USA Swimming.

This is the top level for our Age Group swimmers, that will prepare the athletes for our Senior program. 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/week. A commitment to training and learning is expected. Proper skill development and good training habits are the goals of this group. Swimmers in this group must have (at min.) 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.

Practice Schedule: CLICK HERE
Location: West Shore YMCA+ Messiah University

Swimmers will be assigned to this practice group based on the August Evaluation Sessions or assigned by coaches due to advancement from the Orange (AGB) practice group.

All swimmers in this practice group will be members of USA Swimming.

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.

Prerequisites: A commitment to improve skills and conditioning is a must. Swimmers should be comfortable with training up to 90 minutes/day  with good listening skills. Flutter kick 10 x 25 :35, Swim 10 x 50 :55, Swim 3 x 200 IM legally.

Goals:

• YMCA District Qualifying time in the 200 Free and 200 IM
• 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 yd free in practice.

Swim Meets: One to two swim meets/month in addition to end-of-year championship meet.

Practice Schedule: CLICK HERE
Location: West Shore YMCA

Swimmers will be assigned to this practice group based on the August Evaluation Sessions or assigned by coaches due to advancement from the Orange (AGB) practice group.

All swimmers in this practice group will be members of USA Swimming.

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.

Prerequisites: A commitment to improve skills and conditioning is a must. Swimmers should be comfortable with training up to 90 minutes/day  with good listening skills. Flutter kick 10 x 25 :35, Swim 10 x 50 :55, Swim 3 x 200 IM legally.

Goals:

• YMCA District Qualifying time in the 200 Free and 200 IM
• 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 yd free in practice.

Swim Meets: One to two swim meets/month in addition to end-of-year championship meet.

Ages: 9-16 years
Practice Schedule: CLICK HERE
Location: West Shore YMCA

This practice group is designed for swimmers that may be new to competitive swimming and can demonstrate the four competitive swimming strokes and are 10-14 years of age. This group is one of our beginning levels of our competitive team that are not ready for Orange Group or Red Group. Swimmers will be assigned to this practice group based on the August Evaluation Sessions.

 Swimmers will continue to work on the 4 competitive strokes. Proper technique of body position, arm-strokes, kicking and breathing skills will be the focus.

Prerequisites: Swimmers must be able to swim 25 yards freestyle (with rotary breathing) and backstroke and have a general understanding of breaststroke and butterfly. Swimmers must also be comfortable in deep water and in a group setting away from parents.

Training Goals:

• Completing a legal 100 IM in a meet
• Completing a flip turn
• Streamlining past the flags underwater with dolphin kick
• Flutter kicking
• 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: 10-14 years
Practice Schedule: CLICK HERE
Location: West Shore YMCA

This practice group is designed for swimmers that may be new to competitive swimming and can demonstrate the four competitive swimming strokes and are 10-14 years of age. This group is one of our beginning levels of our competitive team that are not ready for Orange Group or Red Group. Swimmers will be assigned to this practice group based on the August Evaluation Sessions.

 Swimmers will continue to work on the 4 competitive strokes. Proper technique of body position, arm-strokes, kicking and breathing skills will be the focus.

Prerequisites: Swimmers must be able to swim 25 yards freestyle (with rotary breathing) and backstroke and have a general understanding of breaststroke and butterfly. Swimmers must also be comfortable in deep water and in a group setting away from parents.

Training Goals:

• Completing a legal 100 IM in a meet
• Completing a flip turn
• Streamlining past the flags underwater with dolphin kick
• Flutter kicking
• 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: 10-14 years
Practice Schedule: CLICK HERE
Location: West Shore YMCA