WHAT ARE Y SWIM TEAMS ALL ABOUT?
Becoming a member of a YMCA Swim Team means fun, fitness and teamwork.
A YMCA swim team is a competitive swim program designed to challenge and grow swimmers both in and out of the water. Trained coaches focus on stroke technique as well as endurance and fitness during practices to improve swimmer's times as they work toward their end of season goals. YMCA swim teams promote healthy lifestyles while embracing the four core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
Practices take place multiple times each week typically in the evenings and challenge swimmers to improve their technique as well as their endurance. Swimmers are expected to come to practice to work hard toward their goals and work together with their teammates to challenge each other to improve. Our teams showcase their skills at swim meets across St. Louis and Southwest Illinois that all swimmers are encouraged to participate in. At swim meets, swimmers go from being program participants to teammates and friends AND compete for personal best's in the pool!
Who can join? Anyone who is between the ages of 5 and 18 can join YMCA Swim Team! We recommend that all swimmers new to YMCA Swim Team reach out to their local YMCA for a swim assessment.
Illinois YMCA Swim Teams
CMT Riptide
The Riptide Swim Team is for boys and girls ages 5-21 who can swim at least one length of the pool in under a minute, both in freestyle and backstroke. Team practices 1-3 times per week (pool & dry land workout) and competes in local, citywide, and statewide meets. All participants are required to be members of the CMT YMCA, and must try out to be on the team.
Interested in joining the swim team or have questions? Contact Alie Morgan, Aquatics Director, at 618-346-5600.
East Belleville YOSI Seals
The YOSI Seals Swim Team is for boys and girls ages 5-21 who can swim at the Stage 5 Level and can swim all four competitive strokes with good form and technique. The team practices four times per week (pool & dry land workout) and competes in local, citywide, and statewide meets. All participants are required to be members of the East Belleville YMCA, and must try out to be on the team.
Interested in joining the swim team or have questions? Contact Liz Frame, Aquatics Director, at 618-236-9983.
Monroe County Seadogs
The Monroe County HTCY Seadogs Swim Team is for boys and girls ages 5-21 who can swim at the Stage 5 Level and can swim all four competitive strokes with good form and technique. The team practices four times per week (pool & dry land workout) and competes in local, citywide, and statewide meets.
Interested in joining the swim team or have questions? Contact Megan Ingram, Aquatics Director, at 618-281-9622.
Missouri YMCA Swim Teams
Chesterfield Wavemakers
The Chesterfield Family YMCA Wavemakers Swim Team is for boys and girls ages 5-21 who can swim at the Stage 5 Level and can swim all four competitive strokes (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly) with good form and technique. The team practices three-to-four times per week (pool & dry land workout) and competes in local, city-wide, and statewide meets. All participants are required to be members of the Chesterfield YMCA, and must take a placement evaluation to be placed on the team.
Interested in joining the swim team or have questions? Contact Julie Nogalski, Aquatics Director, at 636-532-3100 ext. 246.
Edward Jones Piranhas
The Edward Jones YMCA Piranhas Swim Team is for boys and girls ages 5-21 who can swim at the Stage 5 Level and can swim all four competitive strokes (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly) with good form and technique. We offer swimmers the opportunity for individual growth through a dynamic team experience that builds off the YMCA core values, team building, and community awareness. All participants are required to be members of the Edward Jones Y, and must try out to be on the team (by appointment only).
PRACTICE AND MEET INFORMATION:
Practices will start in October and go through March. Practices are held twice a week on weekday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Times vary by practice group, age, and skill level. There are 1-2 YMCA meet opportunities per month during the season. Swimmers must attend practice regularly to participate in meets.
Interested in joining the team or have questions? Contact Kyle Fetick, Aquatics Director, at 314-439-9622.
Four Rivers Penguins
The Penguins Swim Team is for boys and girls ages 5-21 who can swim at the Stage 5 Level and can swim all four competitive strokes (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly) with good form and technique. The team practices four times per week (pool & dry land workout) and compete in local, city-wide, and statewide meets. All participants are required to be members of the YMCA.
Would you like to join the swim team or have questions? Contact Samantha Riegel at 636-239-5704.
Kirkwood Sailfish
The Kirkwood YMCA Sailfish Swim Team strives to build confidence, develop character and instill a life-long love of swimming in a supportive, fun environment where every athlete is encouraged to achieve their highest potential.
Interested in joining the swim team or have questions? Contact Victoria Kramer, Aquatics Director, at 314-956-9622.
O'Fallon Sea Dragons
The O'Fallon Family YMCA Sea Dragons Swim Team is a competitive swim team for ages 5-21 that practices year round and competes September through March. We offer swimmers the opportunity for individual growth through a dynamic team experience that builds off the YMCA 4 core values, team building, and community awareness. Team participants must be members of the O'Fallon Family YMCA. Swimmers must be at least 5 years of age and be able to complete the skills - 25 yards freestyle, 25 yards backstroke, and basic understanding of breaststroke and butterfly.
Interested in joining the swim team or have questions? Contact Will Hyten, Aquatics Program Manger, at 636-379-0092.
O'Fallon Park Makos
The MAKOS Swim Team is for boys and girls ages 5-18 who can swim at the Stage 5 Level and can swim all four competitive strokes (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly) with good form and technique. The team practices four times per week (pool & dry land workout) and compete in local, city-wide, and statewide meets. All participants are required to be members of the O'Fallon Park Rec Complex or Bayer YMCA, and must try out to be on the team (by appointment only).
Interested in joining the swim team or have questions? Contact Terea Goodwin, Swim Team Coach, at 314-932-1423 ext. 231.
South County Squids
The South County Family YMCA Squids Swim Team is a year-long team starting our season September 1 and finishing our season August 31. The YMCA Heartland Gateway swimming accommodates swimmers ages 5 to 21. We compete in swim meets throughout Missouri and parts of Illinois.
Unlike other club swim teams in St. Louis, we have tryouts all year and take on new swimmers all year. We also have a program that allows youth to be well-rounded - if they need to take a break for a different sport season (especially high school swimming) their swim fees are put on hold until they come back.
ADDITIONAL SEASON INFORMATION:
- Season runs year-round, from September 1-August 31
- School year practice schedule:
- Tuesday & Thursday Weeknights
- Ages 8 and younger: 5:30 - 6:45 pm
- Ages 9 - 12: 5:30 - 6:45 pm
- Ages 13 and older: 6:45 - 8:15 pm
- Friday Weeknights
- Ages 9 and older: 5:30 - 7:00 pm
- June and July Practice Schedule:
- Tuesdays, Thursdays & Friday Evenings
- 5:30 - 7:00 pm
St. Charles Stingrays
The St. Charles Y Stingrays Swim Team is for boys and girls ages 5-21 who can swim at the Stage 5 Level and can swim all four competitive strokes (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly) with good form and technique. The team practices five times per week (pool & dry land workout) and compete in local, city-wide, and statewide meets. All participants are required to be members of the St. Charles County YMCA, and must try out to be on the team (by appointment only).
Would you like to join the swim team or have questions? Contact Kale Kirchner, Swim Team Coach, at 636-928-1928.
Wildwood Waves
The Wildwood Family YMCA Waves Swim Team is for boys and girls ages 5-21 who can swim at the Stage 5 Level and can swim all four competitive strokes (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly) with good form and technique. The team practices two to four times per week (pool & dry-land workout).
Would you like to join the swim team or have questions? Contact Jen Humphrey, Aquatics Director, at 636-458-6636 ext. 245.