Being a Swim Parent
The most important thing you can do as a swim parent is to love and support your child both in and out of the pool. Your encouragement is a key factor in helping them enjoy the sport, build confidence, and find success in the water.
The Four Strokes
Competitive swimming includes four strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. A combination of all four is called the Individual Medley (I.M.).
- Freestyle: Typically the front crawl—an alternating arm stroke with a flutter kick. Any stroke is allowed in freestyle events.
- Backstroke: Swum on the back with alternating arm motion and flutter kick. Swimmers must finish on their back.
- Breaststroke: Simultaneous arm movements with a frog-like kick. Both hands must touch the wall simultaneously on turns and finishes.
- Butterfly: Both arms move together over the water with a dolphin kick. Legs must stay together and kick simultaneously. Turns and finishes require two-hand touches.
Individual Medley (I.M.): Features all four strokes in this order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle.
Competition 101
Rules
Each stroke has specific technical rules to ensure fair competition. Officials are present at every meet to enforce these rules.
Course
Meets are held in short course (25 yards or meters) or long course (50 meters) pools. International meets like the Olympics use 50m pools.
Age Groups
Swimmers compete in age groups based on their age on the first day of the meet. Common age groups include 8 & under, 9–10, 11–12, 13–14, 15–16, and 17–18.
Officials
Officials complete training and testing to ensure meets are fair. Parent involvement in officiating is highly encouraged.
Levels of Swimming
Swimming supports development from beginner to elite levels, offering lifelong fitness and friendships.
- Learn to Swim: Teaches water safety and basic skills; a critical foundation.
- Age Group Swimming: Swimmers begin structured training and competition, usually at the local level.
- Senior Swimming: Advanced training and performance-focused development, typically in high school.
- Elite Swimming: National and international-level competition including Olympic Trials and national teams.
Meet Progression
Meet levels progress from fun and local to national and elite. Here's how swimmers grow in competition:
- Ribbon Races: Low-key, beginner-friendly meets.
- Intrasquad/Dual Meets: Team-hosted and short in duration.
- Invitationals: Seasonal meets, YMCA and USA Swimming sanctioned. May be timed finals or prelims/finals.
- YMCA States: Championship-level YMCA meet. Requires participation in three YMCA meets during the season. All qualified swimmers are expected to attend.
- FLAGS (Junior Olympics): State championship for ages 14 & under. Requires qualifying times. A key developmental goal for young swimmers.
- Area 3/5 Championships: End-of-season meet for those who did not qualify for FLAGS. FLAG swimmers can attend but not in events already swum at FLAGS.
- Senior Champs: A step above FLAGS with stricter qualifying times. Open to swimmers of all ages who meet the standards.
- USA Swimming Sectionals: Regional championship meet with tough time standards. Includes top swimmers from multiple states.
- YMCA Nationals: National-level meet for Y swimmers aged 12+. High competition level with college scouts in attendance. Team travel is required.
- USA Junior Nationals: For the best 18 & under swimmers in the U.S. Time standards are tougher than Y Nationals.
- USA Senior Nationals: Features top club, college, and professional swimmers. Extremely high qualifying standards.
- USA Olympic Trials: The fastest meet in the country. Top 2 finishers qualify for the Olympics. Anyone meeting the time standard—regardless of age—can compete.
- USA Olympic Team: The pinnacle of the sport, made up of the top American swimmers competing internationally.
Note: Progression takes time, dedication, and competition. Even a 9-year-old swimmer today could be at Olympic Trials in five years. Start racing, stay committed, and grow one step at a time.
The YMCA of Southwest Florida Hurricanes Swim Team, a year-round competitive program affiliated with USA Swimming. As a program of the YMCA of Southwest Florida, we are committed to fostering an environment where athletes develop both in and out of the pool. Our team is based at the Venice YMCA and serves swimmers of all levels, focusing on skill development, teamwork, and personal growth.
The YMCA of Southwest Florida is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communities across seven counties: Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, DeSoto, Hendry, and Glades. Guided by the core values of Respect, Responsibility, Caring, and Honesty, we strive to positively impact the lives of our athletes and famillies.
At the YMCA of Southwest Florida Hurricanes, we believe in more than just competition - We promote lifelong skills that extend beyond the sport. Our program encourages athletes to challenge themselves, embrace resiliance, and build a positive relationship with hard work. Through structured training and a supportive environment, our swimmers develop not only their athletic abilities but also essential character traits that will serve them well in all aspects of life.
