The Belvidere Barracudas YMCA Swim Team desires to mold healthy and trustworthy future citizens through emphasizing the ideals of good sportsmanship, loyalty, perseverance, courage, and reverence. This is accomplished through the development and improvement of swimming skills and techniques. As the swimmer matures in the sport, they learn problem-solving skills which are applicable in many life situations. In addition, they develop a sound foundation for their own physical fitness.

Our swim team is lead by Head Coach Kim Wheeler.  Kim has many years longevity with the Barracudas.  For the 2008 - 2009 season, assistant coaches Emil, Mitch, Josh, and Kathy are returning. In addition to teaching swimming skills, we are committed to teaching good sportsmanship, emphasizing personal development through goal setting, and teaching and living out the YMCA principles of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. Our goal is to have a minimum of 3 coaches on the deck for each practice. Twelve elected parents make up the team parent committee, who support and work with the coaches, plan and coordinate team events, and oversee team operations. The coaches and the swim team parent committee stand ready to make your experience with our swim team a positive and memorable one.

The following provides some basic information about joining the team and how the practices are structured. Additional details can be found in the  Parent Handbook. You can find contact information for members of the parent committee, and the head coach on the Contact Us link on all of the web pages.

We Strive to Provide:

·         A physical and recreational outlet

·         Opportunity to learn sportsmanship and team concepts

·         Opportunity for social and emotional development

·         Educational opportunities

·         Training and competition for all swimmers

Placing undue pressure on a swimmer to win above and beyond all else, and having that in itself a primary objective for any swimmer, is not where we place our emphasis in this program.

Basic Team Requirements:
To swim for the Belvidere Barracudas, swimmers must:

·         Be no older than 21 years of age*, as of December 1
*Any swimmer participating in a collegiate level swim program is NOT eligible to swim on a YMCA swim team.

·         Be able to swim one length of the pool (25 yards) unassisted with their face in the water

·         Purchase and wear a team suit at all meets

·        Agree to compete only in YMCA meets during the season (high school swimmers participating in IHSA programs cannot participate in the YMCA program during their respective IHSA season.)

·         Fill out a meet attendance form (paper or online) and submit no later than Wednesday at 6:00pm in order to swim in a meet on Saturday.

·         Notify one of the head coaches with a phone call for a last minute meet cancellation (because of illness).

·        Participate in the David Wolf Invitational, Illinois District*, and Illinois State* swim meets (*must meet qualifications)

·        Maintain a yearly Family YMCA Membership.  High School aged students swimming with a High School swim team may participate if they maintain a yearly Young Adult YMCA Membership.  YMCA membership is a YMCA requirement.  Please contact the YMCA for details.

·        Registration Fee is $125.00 per swimmer.

·        See the Parent Handbook for additional team rules.

Team Practices:
In order to balance the number of swimmers on the team with our coaching staff and the size of our pool, the team is divided into different practice groups based on swimming skill and age.  This permits the coaching staff to provide more individualized instruction and practice time to younger and less skilled swimmers while providing longer practice time and less swim lane congestion for older and more skilled swimmers.  The three practice groups are:

Bigeye Practice Group – Practice time = 60 minutes
The main emphasis is mastering the four competitive strokes, starts and turns. 75% instructional, 25%training. There will be a minimum of 4 lanes for this group.  Swimmers will be placed in lanes based on skills and times.  Lanes may change and will depend on the number of swimmers at any given practice.

Sawtooths Practice Group – Practice time = 75 minutes
Swimmers should be able to complete 150 yards of each of the 4 strokes and swim 500 yards freestyle non-stop. 50% instructional, 50% training.  There will be a minimum of 4 lanes for this group.  Swimmers will be placed in lanes based on skills and times.  Lanes may change and will depend on the number of swimmers at any given practice.

Sharpfins Practice Group – Practice time = 135 minutes
Swimmers should be able to complete 300 yards of each of the 4 strokes and swim 1000 yards freestyle non-stop. 25% instructional, 75% training.  This group is a huge commitment.  It is not for everyone.  If you were in the Red group last year, you need to decide if you want to put forth the level of effort that is required.  It is OK to choose a different practice group! 

Practice Times:
Practice is held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at the times indicated below.  There is no practice on Wednesday.

·         Bigeye Practice Group -- 5:45 - 6:45pm

·         Sawtooths Practice Group -- 6:45 - 8:00pm 

·         Sharpfins -- 5:45 - 8:00pm