Swim Orlando YMCA

What is Swim Orlando YMCA?

Swim Orlando YMCA is a competitive swim team program for swimmers ages five and older. We believe in age-appropriate training, we emphasize excellent stroke technique at all levels, and we promote swimming as  a highly competitive sport and as a lifelong athletic activity.

What is the United States Swimming Organization?

USA Swimming is the national governing body for swimming in our country. They provide insurance and resources, and oversee the growth and development of the sport. For more information contact:

USA Swimming, One Olympic Plaza, Colorado Springs, CO 80909

719-578-4578

Where does the team train?

SwimOrlando Y groups practice at the YMCA Aquatic Center on I-Drive in Orlando, Florida. See the YMCA Aquatics Center page for more information on the pool. A smaller satallite program is also located at:  Marion County YMCA.

Why should family members stay back from the pool during workouts?

Family members are welcome to watch workout from the stands. The coaches want to concentrate on the swimmers during the workout. Please do not stand poolside or converse with the coach or your child while workout is going on. Save your questions for before or after workout.

May I swim or workout at the YMCA Aquatic Center while my child is in practice?

Yes. This is a great idea! The Aquatic Center has much to offer for adult fitness. There are always member lap lanes set aside, the weight room has free weights, machines and cardio equipment, and there are exercise classes offered during swim team workouts. For more information about hours and classes available call 407-363-1911 or see the YMCA Aquatic Center page for more information.

What equipment does my swimmer need?

All swimmers need a swimsuit, goggles, kickboard, and fins (Speedo or Tritan brand). We encourage swimmers to bring a water bottle. An equipment bag (mesh bag) to carry their gear in is a good idea. All team equipment items are available for purchase at the Total Team Wares store on the (east) side of the pool.

Is volunteering required?

Yes, Swim Orlando YMCA  and the Aquatic Center host several meets throughout the year. Our pool is one of the best in Florida and is a popular site for swim events. All Families are expected to work at all the team-hosted swim meets - currently 4 per year. We do not do other fund-raising as an organization. Swimming is what we do best, so we host meets to bring in funds to support the team, pay and hire coaches, fund team activites and awards.  We also split up duties at the State and National championship  meets that take place at our pool.  The is an Orange folder at the front desk that has the volunteer sign up pages. Also, approximately 3 weeks before a hosted swim meet, an e-mail will be sent by our volunteer coordinator letting you know what is needed and how to sign-up.

How does my swimmer change groups or move up in the program?

Each child will be considered on an individual basis for placement within a group. Our belief in age-appropriate training and our assesment of the swimmer's stroke technique will be the overriding factors in determining the swimmer's readiness for the next group. Members can request a group change at any time, but the final decision will rest with the coaches.

How do I get information on special events at the YMCA Aquatic Center that may affect the practice schedule?

Practice changes and updates will be posted on the website. We also use email and facebook. Our team bulletin board at the pool (located on the east side of the pool near the men's locker room) will have news, meet information and meet results posted.

What is an “A” Time?

USA Swimming has established National Age Group Time standards to allow for a stepping stone approach that swimmers can grasp. This is a great way to see progress even if a swimmer doesn’t win their event. They start at B times and finish at AAAA times. First-time swimmers, or swimmers with times slower than the B time, are classified as having C times for those events.

What is Short Course and Long Course?

Short Course refers to training or competing in 25 yard or meter pools, while Long Course refers to training or competing in 50 meter pools. Our pool is generally set up long course (50 meters) in the summer, and short course (25 yards) during the school year.  And most summer meets are long course meets and meets from September through April are short course meets.

What is JO's?

The Florida Junior Olympics (JO's) meet is the state championship meet for swimmers 14 & under. The Short Course meet is held in February or early March while the Long Course meet is held in late July. You must have the qualifying times in order to enter the meet.

What is Senior Champs?The Florida Senior Champs meet (Sr Champs) is a championship meet for older swimmers from Florida who make the qualifying time. The age groups are 15&16 and Open - usually 17 and older but sometimes swimmers 14 & under swim fast enough to make the cut. The Short Course meet is held in February or early March while the Long Course meet is held in late July.What is the Speedo Champions Series Meet (or Sectionals)?

These are the meets that our developing senior swimmers should strive to qualify for and successfully compete in. The meet is held in mid February and mid July and for many athletes this meet is a primary chance to qualify for other regional and National caliber championship meets. These meets are primarily made up of Florida athletes, but swimmers and teams from around the country compete in them as well.

What are National Top 16 Reportable Times?

Every year USA Swimming takes results from meets all over the country and publishes a list of the Top 16 performances from each age group the year before. There is a list for Long Course and Short Course meets. Swimmers who achieve the reportable times are not guaranteed to be on the final Top 16 list.

What kind of team apparel do I need and where can I get it?

You will receive a team t shirt and a swim cap. The team swim suit is suggested for swim meets and you may want to buy team apparel and gear such as mesh bag for equipment, back pack, parka and additional swim caps and shirts. All official Swim Orlando YMCA gear is available in the ProShop - Total Team Wares right off of the pool deck - and they are usually open for several hours in the afternoons.

Do I have to be in swim meets?

What is private stroke instruction and how do I sign up?

What do I need to bring to try-out/registration?

What are National Top 16 Reportable Times?