TAKE THE PLUNGE INTO FUN!
NORTHERNS SWIM CLUB PROGRAM PREQUISITES
- Ages: 5 - 18 years (kindergarten - 12th grade)
- Requirements: Swimmers must:
- 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
- Be able to demonstrate the following skills:
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.
Questions?
Contact us at:
Northerns Swim Team
Duluth Area Family YMCA
ymcanortherns@duluthymca.org
Downtown Duluth YMCA and YMCA of the Essentia Wellness Center
Logan Thoreson
Director of Aquatics
Duluth Area Family YMCA
lthoreson@duluthymca.org
218-241-8008 ext. 524
Cook County Community YMCA
Karen Runkle
Aquatics Coordinator
Cook County Community YMCA
krunkle@cookcountyymca.org
218-387-3386 ext. 603
Q: There are no practice times listed on the registration or website, when will my child's 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. All practice will fall from 6 PM - 8:30 PM Monday - Thursday at the Downtown and Essentia Wellness Center branches 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.
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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.
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Q: What happens if my swimmer ends up enrolled in the wrong skill-group?
A: All swimmers will be assessed during the first 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.
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Q: What happens if my swimmer is ready to move up to the next skill-group during the program?
A: In general, most swimmers are unlikely to need change skill-groups during the program 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 increase in skills, we will work to move them up to the next skill-group and adjust all future season fees accordingly.
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Q: My child participated in swim lessons, what level should they have completed prior to join Youth Swim Club?
A: Children that have participate in Stage 5 YMCA swim lessons are usually ready for Youth Swim Club.
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Q: What if my child wants to join Youth Swim Club, but our family can't afford it?
A: Financial assistance is available for swimmers. Please contact us at lthoreson@duluthymca.org for more information.
Northerns Spring Swim Club
April - May
Coaches work with swimmers ages 5 - 18 to refine the 4-core competitive swimming strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly) and competitive starts and turns. Swimmers will also utilize a variety of training techniques including stroke drills, sets, pacing, and dry-land activities in addition to learning the elements to create healthy workouts.
Participants should be able to meet the above prerequisite skills OR have previously participated in a YMCA or USA Swimming Team or Club before signing up.
SESSION INFORMATION:
Duluth Area
Program Dates:
April 7th - May 16th
Registration Opens:
March 17th (members)
March 24th (community/ youth members)
Cook County
Program Dates:
April 21st - May 23rd
Registration Opens:
March 31st (members)
April 7th (community/ youth members)
Northerns Summer Programs:
June - July
Triathlon Explorers Program
Triathlon Explorers Program - YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center
Coaches work with athletes ages 9-18 to learn the skills needed to compete in triathlon events. With time dedicated to running, biking, and swimming, program participants will develop endurance and techniques necessary to be successful in each of the three areas.
Practices are once per week for two hours, in which one hour is dedicated to swimming and the second hour for cross-training. Participants will practice with peers their age and will be separated into ages 9-11 and 12 & Over age-groups. During the swim portion of practice, various techniques will be taught including alternate breathing, stroke counting, pacing, and location sighting in open water.
This Summer Swim Club program will lead up to the optional Root Beer Kids triathlon on Sunday, August 3rd and a Duluth YMCA sponsored Triathlon (Date: TBD).
Summer Swim Club – Downtown Duluth YMCA
Coaches work with swimmers ages 5 - 18 to refine competitive swimming skills including strokes, turns, and starts through a variety of training techniques including stroke drills, sets, and pacing to learn the elements to create healthy workouts.
Participants should be able to meet the above prerequisite skills OR have previously participated in a YMCA or USA Swimming Team or Club before signing up. There will be an opportunity to compete at a YMCA partner swim meet at the end of the program!
SESSION INFORMATION:
Duluth Area
Program Dates:
June 8h - August 3rd
Registration Opens:
May 5th (members)
May 12th (community/ youth members)
Program Locations:
Triathlon Explorers Program - YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center - Tuesday's
Summer Swim Club - Downtown Duluth YMCA - Tuesday's
Cook County
Coming Soon