Make friends, learn team skills, and compete with our Duluth Area Family YMCA Northerns Swim Team!
NORTHERNS PROGRAM PREQUISITES
- Ages: 5 - 18 years (kindergarten - 12th grade)
- Requirements: Swimmers must:
- Have a YMCA membership (Competition Season October - February)
- Be able to demonstrate the following skills:
- 8 yrs & under - Swim 25 yds of freestyle & backstroke
- 9 yrs & up - Swim 50 yds of freestyle & backstroke
- Be comfortable in water where they cannot touch
- Able to comfortably submerge entire face and demonstrate breath control
Mastery of all strokes is NOT required to join!
At practices, swimmers are divided into skill-groups to help ensure all swimmers are appropriately challenged and can find success this season. Explore the best skill-group for a swimmer using our tool:
Q: I want to register, what skill-group should I register my swimmer(s) for?
A: You should select the skill-group for which your swimmer can currently meet all of the required skills. Please check out our Northerns Group Requirements below to help guide you in determining the correct skill-group for your swimmer. If your swimmer falls between two skill-groups, please register for the skill-group the most closely matches their current skill level. If you are not sure which to join, please contact us at ymcanortherns@duluthymca.org and we will be happy to help!
---
Q: What are the fees and payment schedule for these programs?
A: Fees and payment schedule is as follows
Competitive Season
Oct. 6th - Feb. 28th
| Skill-Group | Registration Fee | Payment Due | Monthly Rate | Payment Due |
| Novice (2 Practices/Week) | $100 | At Registration | $50 | Oct 1st, Nov 1st, Dec 1st Jan 1st, and Feb 1st |
| Age-Group (3 Practices/Week) | $100 | At Registration | $75 | Oct 1st, Nov 1st, Dec 1st Jan 1st, and Feb 1st |
| Junior (3 Practices/Week) | $100 | At Registration | $80 | Oct 1st, Nov 1st, Dec 1st Jan 1st, and Feb 1st |
| Senior (4 Practice/Week) | $100 | At Registration | $95 | Oct 1st, Nov 1st, Dec 1st Jan 1st, and Feb 1st |
| If you prefer to pay all fees upfront, please contact us at ymcanortherns@duluthymca.org. | ||||
---
Q: There are no practice times listed on the registration or website, when will my child's skill-group meet?
A: Practice times will be determined after registration is mostly complete. By delaying the assignment of practice times, our coaching team will be able to best balance each group to ensure adequate pool space is available for all swimmers this season. All practices will fall from 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM Monday - Thursday at the Downtown and Essentia Wellness Center branches, 5 PM - 7 PM Friday at the Downtown branch and 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM at the Cook County branch. In general, newer and beginner swimmers will practice earlier with more advanced swimmers practicing during later time slots.
---
Q: Why are the Downtown and Essentia Wellness Center registrations combined?
A: In order to ensure that all swimmers have the opportunity to use the different resources available at each pool, Duluth area swimmers will be practicing at both branches interchangeably. If you have questions or concerns about this, please contact us at ymcanortherns@duluthymca.org.
---
Q: What happens if my swimmer ends up enrolled in the wrong skill group?
A: All swimmers will be assessed during the first week of practice to ensure they have been signed up for the correct skill-group. In the event a swimmer is registered for the wrong group, we will move that swimmer to the correct skill-group and adjust the fees accordingly for the remainder of the season.
---
Q: What happens if my swimmer is ready to move up to the next skill-group during the season?
A: In general, most swimmers are unlikely to need change skill-groups during the season as each skill-group tends to progress together as the season goes on. In the event a swimmer does need to change groups due to dramatic change in skills, we will move them to the correct skill-group and adjust all future season fees accordingly.
---
Q: My swimmer is anxious about attending swim meets, do they have to participate?
A: We highly encourage all swimmers to participate in swim meets during the season. These are a great opportunity to show off all they have learned during the season and to support their fellow teammates. If your swimmer feels anxious about swim meets, please reach out at ymcanortherns@duluthymca.org and we will be happy to help.
---
Q: My child participated in swim lessons, what level should they have completed prior to swim team?
A: Children that have participated in Stage 5 YMCA swim lessons are usually ready for swim team.
---
Q: Can my child swim only part of the season?
A: Partial season registration is available only to middle and high school students who were participating in Middle School, Junior Varsity or Varsity level fall sports.
---
Q: Does my swimmer need to have a YMCA membership to participate?
A: Yes, according to the Y-USA all swim team participants must have a YMCA membership to join a YMCA swim team. Swimmers that are part of 1-Adult Family and 2-Adult Family Memberships can register online. Swimmers with Youth Memberships will need to contact the membership team at any of our branches by calling or stopping in or can register by emailing ymcanortherns@duluthymca.org.
---
Q: Does my child need to wear a team suit, swim cap, and goggles at swim meets?
A: Yes, a team swimsuit for swim meets is required. Information about the team suit will be given the first week of practice. Team suits are ordered in bulk at the start of the season; each family is responsible for the cost of the suit. A team suit makes a child feel like part of the Northerns Swim Team. One swim cap will be provided to each swimmer at the start of the season.
---
Q: What if my child wants to join the team, but our family can't afford it?
A: Financial assistance is available. Please reach out at ymcanortherns@duluthymca.org and we will be happy to help.
Preseason
September 8, 2025 - October 3, 2025
Jump back into the swim season! This preseason program is designed to help new and returning swimmers prepare and get back into shape before the season! This is also a great opportunity for new swimmers to try swim team before committing to the full competitive season.
Registration for the preseason season will open on August 18th. Feel free to contact the ymcanortherns@duluthymca.org with any questions prior to registering.
REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 18TH
Competitive Season
October 6, 2025 - February 28, 2026
This competitive program offers children and teens the opportunity to improve swimming skills and endurance in a competitive setting. We promote a healthy lifestyle and embrace our core values of Respect, Responsibility, Caring, and Honesty.
Registration for the competitive season will open on August 18th. Feel free to contact the ymcanortherns@duluthymca.org with any questions prior to registering.
Swimmers are assessed by our coaches using the Northerns Swim Team assessment rubric during their first practice to ensure they are enrolled in the correct skill-group that best fits their current skill level. This assessment ensures a successful season by having participants swimming with peers their skill level.
REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 18TH
Practice Schedule
Below are the times that practices are available at each location. Each swimmer is pre-assigned to specific days of the week at the start of the season. Each swimmer's schedule is sent out via email at the start of the season.
August 18, 2025
Registration Opens
Preseason and competitive season registration opens in-house and online for members.
Notes: Those with youth memberships must contact us to register.
Email: ymcanortherns@duluthymca.org
Downtown Duluth YMCA &
YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center:
(218) 241-8008 ext. 524
Cook County Community YMCA:
(218) 387-3386 ext. 603
*Online registration closes the Wednesday before the first day of each program. To register after the first day of the program, contact your local branch.
September 8, 2025
First Day of Northerns Preseason
To Be Announced
Parent and Swimmer Info Night
October 6, 2025
First Day of 2025-2026 Northerns Competitive Season
October 15, 2025
Team Suit Orders Due
To Be Announced
(Late October)
First Meet of the Season
To Be Announced
(Early February)
Sections Swim Meet
To Be Announced
(Late February)
State Swim Meet
Info
Volunteer Opportunities
All hours completed for the Northerns Swim Team or other volunteer opportunities within the Duluth Area Family YMCA during the period of October 6, 2025 - March 27, 2026, will count towards the team volunteer hours. Final fees for uncompleted volunteer hours will be processed on April 1, 2026. Please use the link below to submit your hours completed. Please complete a separate form for each date which you volunteered.
NORTHERNS TEAM RESOURCES
COMPETITIVE SWIMMING ONLINE RESOURCES
National YMCA Competitive Swimming & Diving
MN YMCA Competitive Swim League
QUALIFYING TIMES
Regional Qualifying Times 2025
National Qualifying Times - 2025
AAU Junior Olympics Qualifying Times - 2025
UPCOMING CLINICS & CAMPS
