Summer League Ducks 2025

A community collaboration between Hampden Township and West Shore YMCA

Part of our WSY programming is our “Summer League Ducks” program. Swimmers in our traditional 12 month program (Yellow, Orange, Red, Blue, and Purple Practice groups) are automatically part of Ducks and do not have to do any additional requestion other than purchase a Hampden Township pool membership. Swimmers in these practice groups will practice in the mornings at the Hampden Township pool as well as an opportunity to practice several evenings at the YMCA in the evenings.

Current High School swimmers that are not part of our WSY “year round programs” that would like to join our Ducks Team should email Mike (mike@wsyswim.org or text 717 514 2287) for further information on practices times and schedule

Swimmers moving from Stroke Clinic, Pre Competitive or Green Groups:

Our Ducks Swim Team begins Monday, May 19, 2025.  This program has practices at the YMCA and the Hampden Township Pool in the months of June and July.  This program has five (5) swim meets on Saturday mornings plus championship meets at the end of July.  Fees for the Summer League Ducks program are here.  You will also need to be a “swim team only” member of the Hampden Township pool ($110). Summer League Swim Meet Schedule is here

You must submit each of the three items above.  You can NOT register for these items at the YMCA Member Service Desk, you must use the links above.  

The practice schedule beginning Monday, May 19th is here.  Practices will be at the YMCA from 7-8pm. Beginning Monday, June 9th [practice schedule here] we will offer practices at the Hampden Township pool (Monday/Wednesday and Friday mornings) and the YMCA (in the evenings on Tuesday/Thursday). Summer League Swim Meet Schedule is here

Beginning Monday, June 9, 2025 [schedule here]

Morning Practice at Hampden Pool

  • Novice – 9:00 to 10:00 AM (M/W/F)
  • Advanced – 8:30 to 10:00 AM (M/W/F)

Evening practice options at the West Shore YMCA

  • Novice – Tuesday, and Thursday from 5:45pm-7pm
  • Advanced – Tuesday, and Thursday from 5:45pm-7pm

Ducks’ Practice Groups Definitions:

* Swimmers coming from Green group (previously AGA) will be placed in Novice or Advanced based on current ability level.

* Swimmers coming from one of WSY’s Pre-Competitive programs (Take York Mark + Mini Team) will be placed in one of the following groups based on their coach’s discretion. The following guidelines are flexible, each swimmer is looked at individually and placed in the group that will allow each swimmer the most success possible.

Novice- 

  • Swimmers ages 10&Under
  • Swimmers who previously swam in at least one of WSY’s Pre Competitive programs (Take Your Mark, Mini-Team, Stroke Clinic) 
  • Swimmers who have not been on a swim team before but can fulfill the prerequisites of one length on their stomach, one length on their back, and ability to learn in a group setting.

*By the end of the summer season, each swimmer from the Novice Group should be able to fulfill the following goals:

  • Able to swim all 4 strokes legally in competition
  • Able to do flip turns and open turns legally
  • Able to handle a 60-75min practice, while learning in a group setting and showing improvement and retention of skills

Advanced-

  • Swimmers ages 10&Over
  • Swimmers who previously swam in at least one of WSY’s Pre Competitive programs (Take Your Mark, Mini-Team, Stroke Clinic) 
  • Swimmers who can complete all 4 strokes, flip turns, and open turns legally
  • Swimmers who can complete repeat 25s, 50s, and 100s regularly throughout a practice session.

* By the end of the summer season, each swimmer from the Advanced Group should be able to fulfill the following goals:

  • Able to swim 50s of all 4 strokes legally in competition
  • Able to swim a 100 IM and 200 free legally
  • Able to handle a 75-90min practice, while learning in a group setting and showing improvement and retention of skills

If you have other questions on WSY Summer programming involving Ducks or any competitive/pre competitive program, please email mike@wsyswim.org or text (717) 514 2287