RED Group
Red Group will place special attention on building the young swimmer’s positive attitude towards themselves and the sport through emphasis on teamwork, individual skill, technique, and sportsmanship. The swimmers are introduced to goal setting as the season progresses. Our goal with the red team is to see each young beginner athlete achieve their full potential. The red team will have 3 one-hour practices offered weekly. As ability increases, and interest and dedication grow, swimmers become eligible for, and are encouraged to join, the upper level programs
WHITE Group
The intermediate level program is designed for those swimmers who, through their efforts, desire more challenge and an increasing level of competition. The white team members will have 5 one hour to an hour and a half practices offered weekly. Goal setting will be introduced early in the season and athletes will be challenged to meet their goals throughout the year. Swimmers are encouraged to extend themselves and put themselves out of their comfort zone.
BLUE Group
The most advanced and intensely dedicated swimmers will comprise the blue team. They will receive the most demanding training in the program. Goal setting is introduced on opening night. Blue team have 5, one hour and a half practices offered weekly. Team members are taught the correlation between practice effort and race performance, and will be pushed at workouts. Blue team members want to excel and reach their absolute maximum performance, and have made the decision to concentrate the majority of their time and effort to achieve their goals in swimming.
BASIC QUESTIONS & ANSWERS about Competitive Swimming
Do I have to tryout?
We hold swimmer evaluations with a CHFY Coach to help us place swimmers into appropriate training groups. Then, your swimmer is permitted one week to try our program out at practices in September to see if CHFY team fits into your child's focus and life schedule. Our hope is that your family will come to an appropriate decision if our CHFY team is a good fit in your child's life at this time. We have new swimmers joining at all age levels. You may contact Head Coach Carli Ryan at 937 653-9622 at our Champaign Family Y to set up an appointment for swim evaluation and find out more about our FLYING FISH Team whether for our summer and/or winter swimteam programs.
Do I have to be a good swimmer to join the team?
All you need to be able to do is swim 25 yards of freestyle with basic rotary breathing and backstroke. (This is the length of most pools)
How do I register for Swim Team?
In order to register for our Champaign Family Y Competitive Youth Swim Program aka CHFY Swim Team, you will need to come to our Y's Welcome Center Desk. Your swimmer will need to be a Champaign Family Y Member, so our Y staff will assist you in possible membership options and payment plans. You will also need to register for our CHFY SWIM TEAM Program just like any other Y program. Our Y Staff will provide you with needed forms to be completed and payment options available. Coaches have assigned your swimmer to particular training group so you will know cost per swimmer.
How do I register on CHFY Swim Team website?
In order to register your son or daughter to the team, either simply click on " Registration" tab. Then, follow the instructions for either Returning Members or New Members.
What if your swimmer is involved in other sports?
Most of our swimmers participate in other activities, too. Our practices are usually offered several days a week to allow for more opportunities to participate. High School athletes who are involved in a Fall Sport might not begin their full practice schedule until the conclusion of the Fall Season. We appreciate communication about activities that may keep your swimmer from training.
Are meets held every weekend?
No, and it is up to you how many meets you enter based on your schedule.
What should I bring to a swim meet?
A swim meet provides a lot of "down" time for swimmers to relax with their teammates. Healthy snacks, drinks, cards or other small games are great tools for passing time. Flannel pants or sweatshirts are also helpful to keep the athlete warm. If we have a team area in a gym, a sleeping bag or blanket that you can lay on the floor is great. Parents might want to bring portable chairs if we are sitting in a gym. We do not recommend that you bring expensive electronic games or music devices, as they might get lost.
Why do people write on their hands?
Younger athletes who are learning how to navigate a swim meet can keep track of their events by writing them on their hand. Include Event Type, Event Number, Heat and Lane. Older swimmers tend to follow the heat sheets that areusually posted around the pool deck and/or coaches have a copy
What is the difference between Short Course (SC) and Long Course (LC)?
The easy answer is short course takes place in a 25 yard or meter pool whereas long course takes place in a 50 meter pool. Short Course is normally noted as SCY for Short Course Yards or SCM for Short Course Meters. Long Course is typically noted as LCM for Long Course Meters. Short Course season normally runs from September through March (April for National Swimmers). Long Course usually begins at the end of April and lasts through mid-July.
Also, CHFY has Summer Recreational team that swims in Short Course Meter pool and competes against other summer recreational teams. This is a great introduction to competitve club swimming.
