Welcome to the Fort Wayne Community YMCA Sharks swim team. The FWCY Sharks Swim Team is dedicated to providing a quality youth program that reflects the YMCA’s commitment to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
All participants will be taught the fundamentals of each stroke, how to refine those skills, and the value of teamwork and sportsmanship. Additionally, participants will develop time management skills, confidence, self-esteem, regard for others, and a lifetime love of the sport!
Grey Sharks (Beginner):
This is an entry-level developmental group where the focus is placed on ensuring that athletes are having fun, forming strong team bonds, developing strong fundamental skills in freestyle and backstroke with an introduction to breaststroke, butterfly, turns and starts. To be placed in this group swimmers must be able to pass the YMCA’s “Test. Mark. Protect.” swim test and swim a 25 without stopping. Practices are 3 days/week.
Bronze Sharks (Advanced Beginner)
This group is for swimmers who have not yet mastered legal strokes in the four competitive strokes. It provides younger swimmers the opportunity to develop the fundamental skills of the four competitive strokes, starts, and turns, and to learn basic racing skills. The Bronze group focuses wholly on developing a strong foundation in technique, building endurance and feel for the water. Practices are 3 days/week.
Blue sharks (Intermediate swimmer)
This is an intermediate group of swimmers who have learned basic legal technique in all four competitive strokes. It continues to develop strong technical skills while adding an aerobic base through gradually increasing intensity. Swimmers must be able to swim a 100 free and a 100 IM to be able to be placed in this group. Practices are 5 days/wk.
Silver Sharks (Advanced Swimmer)
The emphasis of this group is to continue developing strong technical skills as well as developing a strong aerobic base through gradually increasing the volume and intensity of both kicking and swimming work throughout the season. Swimmers are introduced into a dryland program that focuses on yoga, core strength, balance and strength in the water. Swimmers must be able to complete a 200 Freestyle and a 200 IM to be placed in this group. Practices are 4-5 days/week.
Gold Sharks (Excelled Swimmer)
The emphasis of the gold group is on mastering the following skills necessary to be successful competitive swimmers – training etiquette, advanced stroke mechanics, goal setting, mental preparation, and the ability to handle more yardage and intensity. Swimmers will participate in a dryland program to help develop core body strength, basic strength in the shoulders and legs, and overall body control. Practices are 5 days/week.
High School Swimmer
High school swimmers must compete in TWO YMCA meets before the start of the high school season to be eligible for Zones/Nationals. You may participate in meets until the date of your first high school swim meet. You may continue to PRACTICE with the YMCA after that date. You may return to YMCA competition after the end of high school season.
