Swim Team Youth
The Sewickley Sea Dragons competitive swim team emphasizes teamwork, fun, character development and good sportsmanship. Our structured practices focus on technique with the belief that with good technique, speed will follow. Practices are set up by age group. We feel it is important for kids to be with their peers. Within the age groups we set up training groups based on ability.
Our goal is to inspire a life-long love of swimming, while emphasizing the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. For Ages 6 to 18 years
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR SWIM TEAM
Coaches will review new swimmer’s strokes to insure they are ready for swim team and for proper placement in the program.
New Novice, 6-8 – can swim one length of freestyle with side breathing, and backstroke in good form. Equivalent swim lessons completed is Stage 4, Stroke Introduction.
Advanced Novice, 7-8 – same as new novice with the addition of proficiency in butterfly and breaststroke. Equivalent swim lessons completed is Stage 5, Stroke Development. Coach must approve placement in this group.
9-10 – can swim 50 yards of freestyle with side breathing, and backstroke in good form. They should be able to swim at least 25 yards of breast and fly. Equivalent swim lessons completed is Stage 5, Stroke Development or Stage 6, Stroke Mechanics.
11 & Up – are proficient in all 4 competitive strokes and can swim 100 yards of front crawl and backstroke, and 50 yards of breast and fly. Equivalent swim lessons completed is Stage 6, Stroke Mechanics.
Please Contact Head Coach, Paula Kwalick with questions.
2025-26 FALL/WINTER SEASON
SEASON runs October 1 – their last meet, (typically February). All swimmers are required to participate in 4 dual/tri meets and league championship. Several invitationals will be offered throughout the season – these are optional. Novice Championships, (8 & under), are in February. Silver Champs, Districts and States are held in March and have qualifying times.
NEW SWIMMER EVALUATIONS will be held on Wednesday, September 10 or Monday, September 22, at 6 pm. It is recommended that you pre-register for evaluation. All new swimmers must be evaluated.
INFORMATIONAL PARENT REGISTRATION MEETINGS are Monday, September 15, or Tuesday, September 23, 6-6:45 pm at the Community Activity Center, (building in upper lot). Registration is only available by attending a parent meeting.
SWIM SUIT TRY-ON AND SALE will be Monday, September 29, 4-7 pm on the pool deck. We will have a limited number of new and gently used items for sale at the event. You will also be able to order personalized team swim caps. Team suits and other items are available through TYR and/or Swim Outlet team pages, accessible through our Team Unify site. Team suits, caps and training equipment are required. Swimmers should try on suits prior to ordering to ensure proper fit.
Swim Team Participants must be Sewickley YMCA members.
Please enroll based on swimmer’s age as of 12/1/25.
(Ages 6-8) NEW Novice
Ages 6-8 years (Age as of 12/1/25)
Practices are on Tuesday and Thursdays 5-5:45 pm
Participants will be taught butterfly, breaststroke and the fundamentals of competitive swimming.
New Novice Swimmers must be evaluated to ensure they are ready for swim team and for placement in the program. (see above for dates). Requirements for this group – must be able to swim 25 yards of front crawl/freestyle (w/side breathing) and backstroke in good form. It is recommended that they have completed Stage 4 -Stroke Introduction of the YMCA swim lesson program.
Season runs October 2, 2025 through Novice Champs in February.
$225 ($50 late fee after September 23)
Register only in person (see above)
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW SWIMMERS | 9/15/25 | 9/16/25 | Front Desk | $ 225.00 | - |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
10/02/25 - 02/22/26
Tu,Th - 5:00 pm - 5:45 pm
|
Registration Closed Opens on 09/16/2025 |
(Ages 7-8) Advanced Novice
Ages 7-8, (Age as of 12/1/25)
Practice M/W/F 5-5:45 pm
Practice will continue to focus on technique and increased endurance. Swimmers will learn flip and open turns for the 50 free and 100 IM events.
Requirements for this group- must be able to swim one length of the large pool of front crawl with side breathing and back stroke in good form, and must have proficiency in butterfly and breaststroke. Recommend completion of Stage 5- Stroke Development or Stage 6- Stroke Mechanics of the Y Swim Lessons.
Season runs October 1 through Novice Champs in February
Head Coach must approve placement into this group.
$285 ($50 late fee after September 23)
Register only in person (see above)
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/16/25 | 10/1/25 | Front Desk | $ 285.00 | - |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
10/01/25 - 02/22/26
Mo,We,Fr - 5:00 pm - 5:50 pm
|
Registration Closed Opens on 09/16/25 |
(Ages 9-10) CADET
Ages 9-10 years (Age as of 12/1/25)
Monday/Wednesday/Fridays 5-6pm and beginning October 23 Thursdays 5pm- 6pm.
Swimmers will continue to focus on the technique of all 4 competitive strokes as well as open and flip turns.
Requirements for this group – must be able to swim 50 yards continuedly of proper freestyle (side breathing) and backstroke in good form and 25 yards of breaststroke and butterfly. Recommend completion of Stage 5, Stroke Development or Stage 6 ,Stroke Mechanics of the Y swim lessons program.
$385 ($50 late fee after September 23)
Register in person only (see above)
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/15/25 | 9/16/25 | Front Desk | $ 385.00 | - |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
10/01/25 - 02/28/26
Mo,We,Th,Fr - 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
|
Registration Closed Opens on 09/15/25 |
(Ages 11-18) Prep, Junior and Senior
Ages 11-18 (Age as of 12/1/25)
Practice Monday/Wednesday 6-7:30pm, Tuesdays 6:30-8pm & Fridays 5:00-7:00pm (Dry land 5-6pm). Thursdays beginning October 23, 6-7:30 pm
Continued emphasis on stroke technique, increased endurance, and leadership.
Requirements – proficiency in all 4 competitive strokes and can swim a minimum of 100 yards of front crawl and backstroke, and 50 yards of breast and fly. Equivalent swim lessons completed is Stage 6, Stroke Mechanics
$460 ($50 late fee after September 23)
Register in person only (see above)
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Y MEMBERS ONLY | 9/15/25 | 9/16/25 | Front Desk | $ 460.00 | - |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
10/01/25 - 02/28/26
|
Registration Closed Opens on 09/15/25 |
Competitive Stroke Class
COMPETITIVE STROKE is a conditioning program for 6 and over swimmers to help them prepare for Swim Team.
9 and Up – M/W/F, 5-6 PM, September 3-26, $120 Members only. Swimmers must be able to swim a minimum of 50 yards of freestyle, (side breathing) and 50 yards of backstroke in good form. Recommend completion of Stage 5,/ Stroke Development.
Jr Sea Dragons, 6-8 years – M & W. 6-6:40 pm, September 3-26, $80 Members only. Swimmers must be able to swim a minimum of 25 yards of freestyle, (side breathing) and 25 yards of backstroke in good form. Recommend completion of Stage 4,/ Stroke Introduction.
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Competitive Stroke | 7/28/25 | 9/5/25 | Online / Front Desk | $ 120.00 | - |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | Special Rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
09/03/25 - 09/26/25
9 & up - Mo,We,Fr - 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
|
$120 | Waiting List | |
|
09/03/25 - 09/26/25
8 & Under - Mo,We - 6:00 pm - 6:40 pm
|
$80 |
Register Closes 09/05/2025 |
High School Swimmers
Practice M/W/F 4-5 pm, beginning October 3 until HS season begins in mid-November, (7 weeks).
Great opportunity to get a jump on your High School Swim Season by improving your endurance and technique. When your HS season begins in mid-November you’ll practice with your HS team. Swimmers can compete in Y dual meets, invitationals and qualify for districts, states and nationals.
Participation in 3 Y meets is required to be eligible for Districts, States. and National Competitions.
Parent meeting is not required.
$125
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/4/25 | 10/6/25 | Online / Front Desk | $ 125.00 | - |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
10/01/25 - 11/19/25
|
Register Closes 10/06/2025 |
NEW SWIMMER EVALUATION
New Swimmers
If your child is new to swim team, they must register and attend one of the dates below to be evaluated by a swim coach to see if they are ready for Y swim team and proper placement in the program.
Evaluations take 10 minutes.
Wednesday September 10, 6 pm
OR
Monday, September 22, 6 pm