2025-2026 Season Information
Swim Gear & Equipment
- All swimmers need to have a GOOD set of goggles and a swim cap. Goggles should be comfortable and tight fitting around the eyes. No snorkeling masks that go over the nose are allowed during practices or meets. It doesn’t hurt to carry a backup set of goggles just in case one breaks or get misplaced (especially to swim meets).
- Swimmers typically use mesh bags to hold their training equipment and may keep them on the shelves at the deep end of the pool. Mesh bags are available in many different sizes, styles, and colors.
- All of these items can be purchased at swimoutlet.com (https://www.swimoutlet.com/collections/WVWILD) or amazon.com plus other sporting goods stores or websites. Feel free to shop around to get a good price, and also check for “bundles” that may end up saving you some money. Drag sox can be purchased on AquaVolo.com
- We have SOME of this equipment available for swimmers to borrow, however we recommend for the swimmers to have their own equipment.
Why Do We Use Training Equipment?
There are three main reasons why a swimmer might include the use of swimming training equipment in their training program: Stroke development; Stroke correction and / or Stroke improvement / enhancement, i.e.
- To develop a specific aspect of their swimming technique (teaching a swimmer the fundamentals of stroke technique from the beginning);
- To correct a specific stroke technique error or a deficiency in their stroke mechanics;
- To improve and enhance a specific aspect of stroke technique.
There are hundreds of different swimming training aids available, but the ones that make a real impact on your swimming performance are those which directly involve your HANDS, your HEAD, your HIPS or your HEELS.
- Hands: Swim paddles are used by swimmers at all levels. Most swimmers and coaches believe that using swim paddles improves stroke power and swimming strength. However, the real benefit of using swim paddles is in improving “feel” – the ability of a swimmer to “hold on” to the water and apply pressure throughout their stroke. As a general rule, the LESS experienced a swimmer is, the SMALLER the swim paddle should be.
- Head: Goggles and cap are essential items in the swim bag of every swimmer. The bottom line with goggles and caps is to find a combination which is comfortable. There are some really amazing designs in the market and some swimming goggles that look like they’d be more at home in the cockpit of a jet fighter than on the head of an age group swimmer, but if they’re not comfortable to wear, don’t waste your money. Snorkels are also a valuable addition to your swimming mesh bag and are particularly useful when learning the importance of maintaining a strong, still and stable head position during swimming.
- Heels: Fins are probably the most commonly used types of swimming training equipment. Fins come in all shapes, colors and sizes and many promise of range of benefits from increasing swimming speed to enhancing leg strength. The real benefit of using swim fins however is that they allow inexperienced swimmers to complete swimming drills effectively. As most swimming drills are completed at kicking speed, i.e. relying on the legs for the majority of propulsion, swim fins provide all swimmers with the opportunity to focus on their arms and their stroke technique and not be limited by their lack of kicking ability. Kickboards are perhaps the most widely used swimming training equipment and can be found in the swimming mesh bag of swimmers of all ages all over the world. The key to getting the most benefit from using kick-boards in training does not lie in the size or shape of the board itself – it’s how you hold – or rather don’t hold – the kickboard.
Swim Meets
WV Wild competes in both YMCA and USA Swimming sanctioned meets. All registered swimmers are eligible to compete in YMCA meets. USA Swimming meets require swimmers to be a registered member of USA Swimming. This is a separate and completely optional registration. Swimmers are not required to be USA Swimming registered to be part of WV Wild.
Championship Meet Requirements
In order to compete at championship meets swimmers must have met certain requirements over the course of the season. Below are the requirements for YMCA and USA Swimming Championships.
YMCA Championships
- Swimmer must have competed in 3 YMCA sanctioned meets
- Swimmer must have competed in a YMCA sanctioned meet within 30 days of a championship meet
- Swimmer must meet required time standards where applicable
USA Swimming Championships
- Swimmer must be a registered member of USA Swimming (FLEX members are not eligible)
- Swimmer can only enter events for which they have times in the SWIMS database (USA Swimming database)
- Swimmer must meet required time standards where applicable
Parent Volunteers
In order to have a successful swim season we very much rely on parent volunteers. As much as we would love for all of our parents to be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy watching their kids swim this is not always a possibility. In order to host and attend various meets we have to have parent volunteers to assist with various jobs during the meet such as timing, officiating, running concessions, or being a deck marshal just to name a few. We truly appreciate all of our parents who are willing to work the meets so the kids can swim and have fun. Which at the end of the day is what this is all about.
One other item to note is that our team is very much in need of some parents who would be willing to become certified officials for YMCA Swimming and even possibly USA Swimming. We cannot host any meets of our own without officials. If you would be willing to become an official please let Coach Erin or Coach Johnathan know and we will help you through the process.
SwimOutlet Team Store
WV Wild has a team store on SwimOutlet.com that contains our team suits and equipment needed for each age group. This will make it easier for swimmers and parents as far as what equipment is needed for each age group, and a simple all-in-one place to get everything. Additionally, anytime purchases are made from our team store or through SwimOutlet using our team link WV Wild receives a certain percentage back for fundraising.
