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 and backstroke.  If you can not swim a full 25 yards, we have pre-competitive programs available over the Fall and Winter months

2

  Do I have to tryout?

No.  Swimmers are taken on a priority basis with the first priority being given to current WSY swimmers, second priority given to any swimmers that participated in our Spring stroke clinics, and the remainder of swimmers are then taken as space permits.  The first step in the registration process is to return the WSY Swimming Reservation form (except for pre-competitive classes, who may register at any time, and there is no reservation fee).  Swimmers that wish to join over the Spring and Summer months do not need a reservation form.  Here is information on our Spring and Summer Programs.  The coaches will meet and place the swimmers (based on the reservation forms returned) into the proper practice groups. 

3What if I’m involved in other sports?

We have many athletes in our program that participate in other activities.  Our program offers many different practice times.  If you participate in Fall sports, and will not begin to swim on a "full time" basis until November, you must fill out a RESERVATION FORM and note on that form that you will not begin until November.  Stop by the YMCA on one of the Registration nights and be sure your Registration form is filled out, and you have your first month's payment.  The remainder of your payments will not begin until November.  It is important that we have your name on our roster so that we may pass along all communication

4 Are meets held every weekend?

No, and it is up to you how many meets you enter based on your schedule.  Our team participates in the Central Pennsylvania Aquatic League for swimmers that wish to participate in Dual meets.  Over the Summer months we compete in USA Swimming meets, and those swimmers that choose to participate in local Summer League meets will participate in meets within the Capital Area Swim League.  These meets are optional, and are not required.  Swimmers that wish to participate in USA Swimming meets, there is a $58 annual registration fee, and this allows swimmers to participate in USA meets.  Our team usually attends one USA meet per month.  Our team also hosts three USA meets in October, November and January at CV High School.  Our Season Ending meets include YMCA Districts, States, and Nationals, as well as our High School swimmers participating in the District and State meets representing their High School Teams.  Swimmers 9 and over that qualify for the Season Ending meets are expected to attend these meets.  The District meet is held at LaSalle University and the State meet is held at Penn State.  Both of these meets are in March.  Those swimmers that make the YMCA National qualifying times will attend that meet in April in Fort Lauderdale.  Swimmers 9 and over must participate in 3 "YMCA Only" meets to be eligible for these meets.  An example would be WSY vs York YMCA or WSY vs Tri Hampton YMCA.  Our meet schedule will be published in early September.

5Is there a lot of travel involved?

Most of our meets are in the Central Pennsylvania  area and at our home pool, although we do offer the opportunity for travel trips to other areas.  At times our team will host meets at other pools such as CV High School, and Northern York High School.  One of our more popular Travel Trips is the Swim International in Brantford, Ontario Canada in November.  This trip is geared for swimmers aged 9-15.

6Where are practices held?

Practices are held at the West Shore YMCA in Camp Hill as well as Messiah College in Grantham, PA.  In the Summer months we use our YMCA Outdoor Center in New Cumberland for Long Course training as well as hosting a few Summer League Meets.

7Can I join anytime?

Yes, you may join the team anytime throughout the year as space permits.  You may find that one practice group will "close" prior to other groups.  We do have Swimmer:Coach Ratio's in all practice groups.

8Do I have to wear a Team Suit?

No, although we do offer suits in our WSY Swim Shop.  All WSY swimmers are given team swim caps free of charge.  There will be a charge for the silicone team caps

9What is the cost to join the team?

The cost is based on the group your swimmer is placed in. All payments are done by bank draft are are monthly.  All swimmers (other than pre-competitive swimmers) must return the RESERVATION FORM along with the $10/swimmer fee.  There is a Program fee for each practice level, and all swimmers (except pre-competitive swimmers) must be members of the YMCA.  Fees and information on our Spring and Summer Programs are here.  Fees and information on our 2008-2009 Fall and Winter program are here.  All WSY swimmers must be members of the YMCA.  The YMCA membership fee must be paid at the time of registration in the membership office at the YMCA.  Limited Financial assistance is available.  See Michael Gobrecht for more information.  At the time of registration each family  will pay the family administrative fee ($100/family) plus your first months program fee payment as well as make an initial deposit of $50 into your family escrow account.  All family's (except pre-competitive swimmers) must have a family escrow account.  Withdraws from this account include invitational entry fees, concession assessments and WSY Swim Shop purchases.

Who does the coaching and what are their certifications?

We have a staff of professional, experienced coaches who love what they do.  They are all certified through USA Swimming and are required to maintain CPR, Coaches Safety & First Aid plus other coaching certifications.  Our coaching staff are members of the American Swimming Coaches Association.  Coach Michael Gobrecht is the Director of Competitive Swimming at the YMCA.  Mike is a full-time employee of the YMCA, and begins his 19th year at WSY.  Mike reports directly to the Executive Director, Joanne Wevodau.  The remainder of our coaching staff reports directly to Mike.  Our coaches meet monthly, and carry out a 30 week lesson plan each year. Our coaches take pride in their teaching to all swimmers.  Parents ask all of the time "Will my child fall behind if they miss a class ?"  We do rotate our teachings throughout the year, however we do operate on daily lesson plans, similar to your child's teachers at school.  If your practice group has practices 4 times a week, and you only attend 2 practices a week, your child will only be learning 50% of what is being taught, so it is important for parents to understand that your child will not be learning everything that is being taught.