Are you thinking about competitive swimming?  If you are looking to have your child start in a “pathway” to be part of a competitive swimming program – Are you in an advanced level of swim lessons? If the answer is “yes”, you will need to begin in our WSY Pathway Programs which include Pre-Competitive Swimming (September and January), Stroke Clinics (April and May), and Ducks Summer League swimming (June and July). After a swimmer completes 2 or 3 steps in our pathway programs, they will be eligible to move to our WSY Competitive Team.

The WSY Mini Team is the second part of a two-part program designed to slowly move swimmers from the pre-competitive level to the competitive levels. We will introduce Pre Competitive Mini Swim Team participants to the experience of a swim meet and will continue to work on the fundamentals of competitive swimming. CLICK HERE to view our class skills outline.

This program is great for summer league swimmers, Country Club swimmers, or children advancing out of swim lessons. In addition to working on correct stroke form of all four (4) competitive strokes and using starting blocks, swimmers will have the opportunity to participate in two (2) inter-squad swim meets at the YMCA. Prerequisites for this program include the ability to swim one length of the pool (25 yards) on your stomach with rotary breathing and one length of the pool on your back. Each class session will be limited to 35 swimmers.

Dates: January 3–March 23, 2025
Schedule: 

• Fridays 6:15-7:15pm
• Sundays 12:00-1:00pm
• Sundays 4:00-5:00pm

Dates of Swim Meets: (No additional cost)

• Sunday, January 26 from 4:00-5:00pm
• Friday, February 21 from 6:15-7:15pm

Ages: 6-14 years
Location: West Shore YMCA

This program is for swimmers who are interested in joining a swim team and have no competitive swim team experience. This is NOT a ‘learn to swim’ program but a starter swim team practice. Coaches will work on stroke development and the mechanics of swimming but will also introduce all the things that make a swim team practice different from swim lessons.

Prerequisites for this program include the ability to swim one length of the pool (25 yards) on your stomach with rotary breathing and one length of the pool on your back. Each class will be limited to 30 swimmers.

Dates: January 5-February 16, no class January 26
Schedule: Sundays from 11:00-11:30am or 11:30am-12:00pm
Ages: 5-18 years
Location: Friendship YMCA

Our non-competitive swim team program is designed for swimmers that want to be active and involved in swimming and work on fitness and endurance during the winter months. This is ideal for summer swimmers that want to keep active, cross training with other sports, stroke improvement, trying out the sport of swimming, and staying active and fit. 

This is an advanced group where swimmers must know the four competitive swimming strokes, work independently away from caregivers, and work well in a group setting. 

Coaches will work with swimmers on all four competitive strokes and building endurance.  Swimmers will also be introduced to racing starts, turns, and streamlines.

This is NOT a learn to swim program.

Dates:January 5-February 16, no class January 26
Schedule: Sundays from 12:00-1:00pm
Ages: 5-18 years
Location: Friendship YMCA

Our highly successful WSY Competitive Swimming Stroke Clinic is part of our Pathway to Competitive Swimming and  is structured for children between the ages of 6-13 years of age. We have three (3) sessions available, including a Monday/Wednesday session, Tuesday/Thursday session, and Friday/Sunday session.

Most swimmers in this pathway class will have previously participated in our  Pre Competitive Take Your Mark and Mini Swim Team programs.

We ask that participants indicate which session they will attend most of the clinic, however you are free to switch days if you have conflicts with other activities. Concentration for all clinics will be on stroke drills, proper stroke technique, and consistency.

This program is the third part of competitive swimming pathway designed to slowly move swimmers from the pre-competitive level to the competitive levels.

This program is great for summer league swimmers, Country Club swimmers, or children advancing out of swim lessons. Prerequisites for this program include the ability to swim one length of the pool (25 yards) on your stomach with rotary breathing and one length of the pool on your back in a group setting. Each class session will be limited to 40 swimmers.

Dates: April 7–May 18, 2025

Schedule: 

• Mondays & Wednesdays 7:00-8:00pm
• Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:30-5:30pm
• Friday 6:15-7:15pm & Sunday 12:00-1:00p

Ages: 6-16 years

Location: West Shore YMCA