Please note the dates below are subject to change due to weather and pool opening dates. When you register for tryouts on this site you will be added to our email list for updates!

RETURNING MEMBERS PLEASE BY APRIL 20th to guarantee a roster spot!

This year's summer program begins May 13^th and will provide fun and challenging training for all levels from Novice to Advanced Competitive at our 50 Meter Long Course facility! Training ranges from 4 hours (Novice) to 12 hours (Advanced/High School) weekly with additional Intersquad and Summer League (within the Northern Il. Swim Conference) meets. League meets are Wednesday evenings beginning 6/18. Intersquad time trial meets are selected Saturday AMs. The season continues through 7/23. Each year, the conculsion of the season there will be a end-of-season celebration and waterpark trip.

The Lightning is not a learn-to-swim program. Therefore, all new Novice and returning Novice members must be able to swim at least 25 Meters unassisted in deep water and complete a 1 hour group tryout practice.

Mandatory for newbies : Attend our Zoom informational meetings if interested in this year's program!

• April 22nd at 6:00 PM

All prospective new members not currently on a year round competitive team must attend a tryout practice:

• May 23^th  at 4:45 PM: 8 y/o and younger please arrive by 4:30!
• May 23^th at 5:45 PM: 9 y/o and older please arrive by 5:30!
• When you register for tryouts you will be added to our email list or updates. Add as many emails as you like once you have an account approved, and add a phone # and carrier for text messages
• Fees are listed below cover training and meets, and include swim cap and t-shirt. After acceptance to the team, you will be emailed a link and instructions for payment. There will be some mandatory equipment that members will need (fins for all and a snorkel for Level 3) and we will send info on those. Optional suits and other additional spirit wear are on our Gear Page.

 Practices begin on May 13th according to the schedule below provided the weather is good--but please double check the swim team site www.lwswim.org prior to attending for weather and pool updates!

2025 Lightning Competitive Swimming Practice Groups and Schedule

Level 1 Novice: Swimmers that can minimally swim at least 25 meters in deep water unassisted, have a strong flutter kick technique and some rotary breathing. Level 1 swimmers will refine their Freestyle and Backstroke. Additionally, they will learn Breaststroke and Butterfly while racing starts and turns. In later season practices they will swim up to a mile during practice! 

Level 2 Intermediate: These swimmers have at least 2 years of swim team experience and will refine technique and competitive skills with a much greater conditioning component, starting with training sessions of at least 2000 meters in an hour.

Level 3 High School/Advanced: This will be challenging training geared for swimmers ages 12 and up that have at least 4 years of swim team experience and are training for high school teams, or Regional/State Age Group Levels. Sessions will include over 4000 meters within 1.5 hour of swim.