The history of the Glens Falls YMCA’s Swim Team goes back 53 years, making it one of the oldest existing competitive swim teams of any kind in the United States.

 In the past year the team has enjoyed a great deal of success.  They have:

•        - Had a swimmer qualify for USA Swimming’s Junior National Championship in Irvine, California

•        - Had two swimmers earn a total of 6 All-American awards (by placing in the 16 at the YMCA

                    National Championships)  

•        - Won the North Country YMCA Swim League Championship in February

•        - Placed 6^th over-all at the YMCA New York State Championship in March

•        - Placed 52^nd in the Men’s Team rankings at the YMCA Short Course National Championship in

                   April

•        - Placed 30^th  in the Combined Team scoring at the YMCA Long Course National Championship in

                    August this year.

The Glens Falls YMCA ‘Gators Swim Team is a member of the North Country YMCA Swim League, competing in dual meets and in a League Championship with all of the YMCA swim teams between Pittsfield, Massachusetts and Rotterdam, New York.  The team is also a member of Adirondack Swimming of USA Swimming, and through this organization our more competitive athletes race in Invitationals throughout the Northeast.

The team has a strong link to the community, comprised of over 100 swimmers ages 6 - 18.  The team had a total of 140 team-members last year.  There are 7 practice groups of between 8 and 24 swimmers, divided by age, ability and commitment.  The three beginning-level groups are seasonal, where swimmers sign up for 7-8 week long Sessions that run throughout the year.  The four more advanced groups are made up of swimmers who commit to year-around training and competition (from mid-September to mid-August). 

Although there is variation, 8 year olds and younger typically practice 2-3 times per week for 30 minutes.  9-10 year olds typically practice 4 times per week for 45 minutes.  11-12 year olds generally swim 5 times per week for an hour.  13-14 year olds have 6 practices per week, most of which are an hour and a half.  15 and older swimmers have 5 afternoon practices of 1:45 - 2 hours and are invited to 4 morning practices (5:30 AM) of an hour in length.

New swimmers perform a try-out with a coach before placement.  All practice groups have size-limitations.  Each member of the Swim Team is an active member of the YMCA.

Come swim with the best, swim with the GATORS!

 
Coaching Staff
Head Coach                Bryan Woodward
Assistant Coaches       Jackie Kinney, Julie Prendeville, Deb Roberts and Flip Williams