At the Willow Grove branch, we are serious about our swim team! We are known as the Hurricanes, and offer competitive swimming year round for various age groups. We cater to both novice and advanced swimmers from ages 6-18. Our experienced coaches work with swimmers of all ability levels to help them develop and achieve their full competitive swim potential, while promoting the YMCA core values of honesty, respect, caring and responsibility.
We participate in the Penndel Swim League in the winter and the Lower Bucks Swim League in the summer. Swimmers compete in dual meets throughout each season, as well as invitationals and championship meets. We also offer competitive swim clinics in the fall and spring that focus on technique improvement in each stroke, turns, and starts.
Our goal is to provide a positive, safe, fun environment where each swimmer can learn and grow, both as an individual swimmer and as a teammate. We strive to have each swimmer enjoy being a member of our team, achieve their individual competitive swim goals to the best of their abilities, and simply enjoy swimming!
Registration Information
Current Swimmers: Current swimmers who are on the team will register through our TeamUnify site.
New Swimmers: Any new swimmer to the team will be required to register for an evaluation period prior to registering for the team. Registration for the evaluation period can be completed by speaking with a membership service representative or through the Y online portal. Interested swimmers can also contact Coach Heidi Palau directly using the Team Unify contact form.
To register in the online portal, click the button below then select Willow YMCA from the location dropdown, then click the Swim Team filter. Select your level and follow the registration prompts. An online account is required to complete the process. Creating an account is free for new participants.
Evaluation Information
Registration is required and limited space is available. The evaluation is free and you do not need to be a member to register for and attend the evaluation. However, if your swimmer is told by coaching staff they are ready and do continue on, the swimmer must become a full privilege member and will be charged the price of clinic and/or team.
Dates: September 17, 19, and 20, 2024
Ages: There are evaluations available for each level of team that we offer (Levels 1-5, ages 6-18).
What to Bring: New participants should wear a one piece bathing suit and bring their own swim cap and goggles. We recommend that all swimmers also bring a water bottle.
What to Expect: Ages 6-10 will attend from 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM and swimmers ages 11 & older will attend from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM on evaluation days. Swimmers must attend all 3 practices. Coaching staff will let you know if your swimmer is or is not ready to continue on with evaluation.
If your swimmer meets the prerequisites and attends the 3 practices listed above, then they will be invited to attend the first week of team practices (week of April 22) for final evaluation. If they are selected to attend your swimmer will join current members of the team at the practice times/days listed below. Coaching staff will let you know prior to the end of the week if your swimmer is ready to continue on to swim team.
Swim Team General Info
There are 5 different levels of swim team. Winter Season begins September 23, 2024 and ends in late February.
Below you will find the ages, practice times, and descriptions.
Pre-Team
Ages: 9-12
Practice Times: Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 5 PM - 6 PM
Price: $500
Description: Developmental group from swimmers who's skills may needed extra attention to meet the swimmer requirements for their age group level. Swimmers will participate in meet during the season.
Level 1
Ages: 8 & Under
Practice Times: Tuesday, Thursday & Friday from 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM
Price: $450
Description: For swimmers 8 and under who are not yet legal in all 4 strokes, but can swim one length of freestyle with basic rotary breathing and 1 length of backstroke. Swimmers should be able to perform the basics of a dive.
Level 2
Ages: 9-10
Practice Times: Tuesday 5:45 PM - 7 PM | Wednesday & Friday from 6 PM - 7 PM
Price: $550
Description: For swimmers ages 9-10 who are learning to become legal in all 4 strokes and need more endurance. These swimmers are able to dive and do a basic flip turn/open turn. They are able to swim a 50yd freestyle and 50yd backstroke.
Level 3
Ages: 11-12
Practice Times: Monday & Thursday from 5:45 PM - 7:00 PM | Tuesday & Friday from 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Price: $654
Description: For 11-12 year old swimmers who are mastering flip turns, open turns and starts. These swimmers are still working on technique, but are generally legal in all four stokes. They can swim 50yds of all strokes. They are learning to read a practice and use a pace clock. They also need to work endurance.
Level 4
Ages: 13-14
Practice Times: Monday through Friday from 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Price: $795
Description: Swimmers ages 13-14 that are legal in all four strokes. Can swim 100yd freestyle and 100 yd backstroke. Can follow a written practice and pace clock with coach guidance. Working on mastering starts and turns.
Level 5
Ages: 15-18
Practice Times: Monday through Friday from 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Price: $795
Description: Swimmers ages 15-18. These swimmers have a good level of endurance and are legal in all 4 strokes. These swimmers can swim 100yds of all strokes and have mastered starts and turns. They are also able to read/follow a practice with little or no coach guidance.