Join the Skagit Valley Family YMCA's swim team!

The Skagit Valley YMCA Aquatics Swim Team (SVYA) provides teaching and training that creates leaders in and out of the pool.  Swimmer's training groups are based on various factors, including age, ability, maturity, performance, and attitude. Through enrollment in this program, youth are provided the opportunity to participate in a year-round competitive sports program.

In order to join the team, the swimmer must complete a swim evaluation in which they will be asked to: 

• Swim 25 yards (the length of the lap pool) of the 4 competitive swim strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly (100 yards total). Swimmers must have a rudimentary mastery of each of the four competitive strokes and have the endurance to complete swims nonstop.
  • ​The biggest hurdle in breastroke specifically is having the correct kick technique
  • For butterfly, the biggest marker of swim team readiness is 25 yards of nonstop simultaneous arm motion
• Complete a competitive start/entry/dive into the pool (either from the starting block or from the side of the pool) 
  • ​This does not have to be the fastest or have perfect technique. We require swimmers to be confident jumping and swimming in deep water
• Complete a flip-turn (or somersault if unable to do a flip-turn) 

Swimmers don’t need to have a perfect stroke, dive, or flip-turn in order to be considered for the team. These three tasks will help with the selection process and inform our coaches on the best group placement that fits the needs of the swimmer. Swim team tryouts may be used to help identify which stage of swim lessons may be most helpful for swimmers that are close to being swim team ready.

There are a limited number of spaces available on the SVYA team, so we can’t guarantee that a swimmer will make the roster. However, we will make sure all are given an opportunity to try out. We will notify participants of the results within a few days via email. 

Swimmers must pass the Skagit Y’s Stage 6 of swim lessons to apply for a tryout. Those who have completed a season of high school swim team are welcome to join and tryout during a practice.

If you have any questions, or wish to schedule a time to try out for the team, please contact Coach Joseph at [email protected]. 

TRANSFERS

Swimmers who wish to transfer from another YMCA or USA Swimming club should contact Coach Joseph regarding transfer procedures and group availability.