GREATER LOWELL YMCA
BARRACUDA SWIM TEAM
The Greater Lowell YMCA Barracuda Swim Team is both a YMCA as well as a USA swim team. We incorporate all YMCA philosophies, while promoting the core values: caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. The Barracuda Swim Team is dedicated to helping swimmers improve their swimming skills, achieve their goals, and demonstrate the core values. We strive to encourage a lifetime involvement in sports and physical activity, as well as teaching the importance of being a team player.
Our team spans ages 5-18 and covers all levels of competitive swimming. The season typically competes in four dual meets (both home and away) against other YMCA’s in our region, and four local USA Swimming meets. From the last week of January through the end of season, we have our Championship Meets.
All members of the Barracuda Swim Team are required to be full members of the Greater Lowell YMCA (per league rules). Minimum requirements for the team are at least five years of age and able to swim 25 yards front crawl and 25 yards back crawl (subject to coaches’ approval). Depending on the level of the swimmer, practices run between 3-6 days a week.
For more information, please go on our website at www.teamunify.com/ymca-2777 or contact Coach Christina at barracuda@lowellymca.org or at 978-454-7825 ext. 830
SUMMER SEASON 2024
Summer Season 2024
April 22 to August 2
This 15 week program focuses on learning and improving the four competitive strokes (Freestyle, Butterfly, Breaststroke, and Backstroke) and other skills of competitive swimming. It is a great opportunity for new swimmers to try out a swim team, as well as keeping current competitive swimmers in shape. Please email Coach Christina at barracuda@lowellymca.org for more information.
Groups:
Yellow 1 – Beginners ages 5-12 who can complete 25 yards front crawl and backstroke.
Yellow 2 – Intermediates ages 8-10 who can complete 100 yards freestyle and backstroke, and 50 yards breaststroke and butterfly.
Blue – Intermediates ages 9-15 who can complete 200 yards freestyle and backstroke, and 100 yards breaststroke and butterfly. These swimmers can complete a 2,000 yard practice.
Green – Advanced swimmers ages 11-18 who can complete a practice of 3,000 yards.
Red – Advanced swimmers ages 13-18 who can complete a practice of 4,000 yards.
Strength Training – Available for all swimmers 12 & older. This will focus on strengthening the muscles used for swimming, including the use of small weights, resistance bands, and medicine balls.
Fees:
Group Weekly Price Season Price Practice Schedule
Yellow 1 $17 $255 Mon, Wed, Fri 5:30-6:15 pm
Yellow 2 $18 $270 Mon, Wed, Fri 5:30-6:30 pm
Blue $18 $270 Mon, Wed, Fri 5:30-6:30 pm
Green/Red $20 $300 Mon, Wed, Fri 6:30-8:00 pm
Strength Training $15 $225 Tues, Thurs 6:00-7:00 pm
Placement Nights:
Swimmers must be able to swim a minimum of 25 yards front crawl and backstroke each. Please come to one of the following nights prepared with a swimsuit, towel, and goggles. If you are unable to make one of the following dates, please reach out to Coach Christina.
Wednesday, April 10th @ 5:00 pm
Thursday, April 11th @ 5:30 pm
'PRE TEAM' FALL SEASON 2023-2024
Mini ‘Cudas Pre Team 2023-2024
September 25th – February 15th
The Mini ‘Cudas swim team is a pre swim team designed for swimmers ages 4-8. This program is designed to bridge the gap between swim lessons and swim team. The program focuses on learning the beginnings of competitive swimming. Swimmers will learn the four competitive strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly), with an emphasis on freestyle and backstroke.
This is a non-competitive program, so swimmers will not be participating in meets. They will participate in all other team events, such as team parties and fundraising events. At the completion of the program, swimmers should be ready to enroll in the competitive team.
To enroll in the Mini ‘Cudas Pre Team, swimmers must:
- Be between the ages of 4 and 8
- Swim half a length of the pool front crawl without flotation
- Swim half a length of the pool backstroke without flotation
- Be comfortable swimming with their face in the water
Evaluation:
Swimmers must attend an evaluation on one of the following dates:
Monday, August 14th at 5:00 pm
Wednesday, August 16th at 5:30 pm
For more information, please contact Coach Christina at barracuda@lowellymca.org or at 978-454-7825 ext. 830
Registration:
Begins August 21st and ends September 25th.
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Practice Schedule:
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Price:
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| Mondays and Wednesdays 6:00-6:30 pm |
$300 due at registration · Swimmers must be members of the Lowell YMCA · Tuition does not include team apparel or fundraising expectations |
FALL SEASON 2023-2024
Fall/Winter Season 2023-2024
September 5th – March 17th
Placement:
Placement is based on technique, endurance, and emotional development. The coaching staff will work with the swimmers and parents to ensure each child is in the best group for him or her. Coaches will work with swimmers to improve their technique and endurance.
Placement days and times are below:
Monday, August 14 at 5:00 pm Wednesday, August 16th at 5:30 pm
Registration:
Swim team members must register online through the Greater Lowell YMCA website by September 1st. All payments will be through the Greater Lowell YMCA. All new members must attend the registration session listed below. Returning members may either complete the start of season checklist found on the team website or attend one of these registration sessions.
Returning Swimmers: Monday, August 14th 5:45 pm
All Swimmers: Sunday, August 20th 1:00 pm
OR Sunday, August 27th 1:00 pm
Required forms are online on our website teamunify.com/ymca-2777 under the tab “Registration Documents”. These can also be found through the links on the start of season checklist (which will be given out at the registration sessions).
There will be a mandatory start of season meeting on Sunday, August 27th at 1:00 pm. Suit sizing will occur then, as well as an ice cream social for the swimmers.
Cost: (does not include team apparel, meet fees, and fundraising expectations. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Registration fee covers USA Flex membership and the Premium membership for the plus groups.)
Registration Fees: Registration fees are due by September 1st. The registration fee provides your swimmers with USA swimming membership, permitting them to participate in those meets. It also secures your child’s spot on the team.
Tuition Fees: Monthly tuition payment is due on the last of the month for September, October, November, December, January, February, and March. Families have the option of either 1, automatic payments done via credit card or 2, paying through the front desk each month. Monthly fees MUST be paid by the last of the month, or swimmers will be unable to continue to participate in practice or meets until fees have been paid.
Other Fees: Families will also be responsible for paying any equipment, meets, or fundraising balances by the end of each month. Families have the option of either 1, automatic payments done via credit card or 2, paying through the front desk each month. These fees MUST be paid by the last of the month, or swimmers will be unable to continue to participate in practice or meets until fees have been paid.
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Practice Groups |
Registration Fee |
Monthly Payments |
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Yellow 1 Beginners aged 5-10 who can complete 25 yards front crawl and backstroke. |
$20 |
$70/m |
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Yellow 2 Intermediates ages 8-10 who can complete 100 yards freestyle and backstroke, and 50 yards breaststroke and butterfly. |
$20 |
$90/m |
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Blue 1 Beginners ages 11-15 who can complete 25 yards front crawl and backstroke. This group will move into either Blue 2 or Green December 1st |
$20 |
$95/m Until December 1st, then either Blue 2 or Green rate |
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Blue 2 Intermediates ages 9-15 who can complete 200 yards freestyle and backstroke, and 100 yards breaststroke and butterfly. These swimmers can complete a 2,000 yard practice. |
$20 |
$100/m |
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Green Advanced swimmers ages 11-15 who can complete a practice of 3,000 yards. |
$20 |
$110/m HS Swimmers pay for 4 months |
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Green+ Competitive swimmers ages 11-15 who can complete a practice of 3,000 yards. These swimmers are expected to attend practice 4-5 days a week, plus 2 meets a month (combination of USA and YMCA meets). |
$20 |
$120/m HS Swimmers pay for 4 months |
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Red Advanced swimmers ages 13-18 who can complete a practice of 4,000 yards. |
$20 |
$130/m HS Swimmers pay for 4 months |
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Red+ Competitive swimmers ages 13-18 who can complete a practice of 4,000 yards. These swimmers are expected to attend practice 5-6 days a week, plus 2 meets a month (combination of USA and YMCA meets). |
$20 |
$140/m HS Swimmers pay for 4 months |
For more information, please go on our website at www.teamunify.com/ymca-2777 or contact
Coach Christina at barracuda@lowellymca.org or at 978-454-7825 ext. 830
FALL SEASON 2023-2024 PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Practice Schedule 2023-2024
| Practice Groups | Swim Practice Times | Dryland Practice Times |
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Yellow 1 Beginners aged 5-10 who can complete 25 yards front crawl and backstroke |
Mondays 5:00-5:45 pm Wednesdays 5:00-5:45 pm Fridays 5:30-6:15 pm |
N/A |
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Yellow 2 Intermediates ages 9-10 who can complete 100 yards freestyle and backstroke, and 50 yards breaststroke and butterfly |
Mondays 5:00-6:00 pm Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 pm Wednesdays 5:00-6:00 pm Thursdays 5:30-6:30 pm |
N/A |
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Blue 1 Beginners ages 11-15 who can complete 25 yards front crawl and backstroke |
Mondays 5:45-7:00 pm Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 pm Wednesdays 5:45-7:00 pm Thursdays 5:30-6:45 pm |
N/A |
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Blue 2 Intermediates ages 9-15 who can complete 200 yards freestyle and backstroke, 100 yards breaststroke and butterfly, and a 2,000 yard practice |
Mondays 5:45-7:00 pm Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 pm Wednesdays 5:45-7:00 pm Thursdays 5:30-6:45 pm Fridays 5:30-6:45 pm |
Dryland (on pool deck) Tuesdays 6:30-7:00 pm Thursdays 6:30-7:00 pm
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Green Advanced swimmers ages 11-15 who can complete a practice of 3,000 yards |
Mondays 7:00-8:30 pm Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 pm Fridays 6:45-8:15 pm Sundays 2:00-3:30 pm |
Strength Training (in childcare) Tuesdays 6:15-7:00 pm Thursdays 6:15-7:00 pm |
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Green+ Competitive swimmers ages 11-15 who can complete a practice of 3,000 yards. These swimmers are expected to attend practice 4-5 days a week, plus 2 meets a month |
Mondays 7:00-8:30 pm Tuesdays 7:00-8:30 pm Wednesdays 7:00-8:00 pm Thursdays 7:00-8:30 pm Fridays 6:45-8:15 pm Sundays 2:00-3:30 pm |
Strength Training (in childcare) Tuesdays 6:15-7:00 pm Thursdays 6:15-7:00 pm |
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Red Advanced swimmers ages 13-18 who can complete a practice of 4,000 yards |
Mondays 6:30-8:30 pm Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 pm Fridays 6:15-8:15 pm Sundays 1:30-3:30 pm |
Weight Room TBD |
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Red+ Competitive swimmers ages 13-18 who can complete a practice of 4,000 yards. These swimmers are expected to attend practice 5-6 days a week, plus 2 meets a month |
Mondays 6:30-8:30 pm Tuesdays 6:30-8:30 pm Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 pm Thursdays 6:30-8:30 pm Fridays 6:15-8:15 pm Sundays 1:30-3:30 pm |
Weight Room TBD |
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions:
How old does my child need to be join swim team? Team members must be at least 6 years old. More importantly they must be able to swim 25 yards (one length of the pool) front crawl and 25 yards backstroke (subject to coaches’ approval).
What is the cost?
1. Choices of full tuition (by October 1st) or 3-part payment plan (balance due by 12/01/2020).
2. Full privilege YMCA membership is required by October 1, 2020
3. Team apparel, meet fees, and fundraising expectations extra
4. Financial Assistance available for those who qualify
What are the goals of the Barracuda Swim Team?
1. To have fun and make new friends
2. To improve strokes and skills
3. To improve speed and endurance
Is competing required? Swim meets provide a way to see the progress a swimmer has made through hard work at practice. We compete in both YMCA meets and USA meets. We are currently unsure if typical meets will be held this season, but we will be competing in virtual meets and inter-squad meets.
Registration:
Swim team members must register through the Greater Lowell YMCA (either online or through the front desk), as well as on TeamUnify at the website below. All payments will be through the Greater Lowell YMCA, and communication as well as registering for meets and other events will be through TeamUnify. If you have questions on how to register, please contact Coach Christina.
Start of Season Paperwork:
Required forms are online on our website teamunify.com/ymca-2777 under the tab “Other Documents”. Please read through our policies and print and sign the agreement forms named “Policy Agreement Forms”. Our equipment order forms are also online. Please fill these out and return to Coach Christina ASAP.
For more information, please go on our website at teamunify.com/ymca-2777
You can contact Coach Christina at barracuda@lowellymca.org or at 978-454-7825 ext. 830