BARRACUDA
SWIM TEAM
The YMCA of the Chippewa Valley Swim Team is a competitive program that focuses on the development of swimmers of all ages and abilities. Our trained coaches work to improve each swimmer’s skill level, technique, and endurance to promote a healthy lifestyle. Our program embraces the YMCA's core values and promotes progression at an individual level. Practices are organized by ability levels and are designed to help team members improve and refine the four competitive strokes, starts and turns, and finishes. Our Swim Team competes in the Central Wisconsin Swim Conference, Wisconsin YMCA teams, and participate in USA Swimming meets as well. Workouts include endurance, speed, and drill techniques, with a healthy dose of teamwork and sportsmanship.
YMCA of the Chippewa Valley Barracudas
The YMCA of the Chippewa Valley Barracudas Swim Team combines YMCA and USA year-round competitive swimming and diving programs in Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, and the surrounding area. We promote the long-term development of athletes by offering skill instruction, training focused on improving fitness levels, and appropriate social interaction in a caring, respectful and encouraging environment. More than 200 student-athletes learn and train at multiple locations: Eau Claire YMCA, Chippewa Falls YMCA, Chippewa Falls Middle School, and Eau Claire Memorial High School. The YMCA Swim Team welcomes swimmers ages 5 to 19 and all ability levels!
Team Practice
Our YMCA swim team offers a variety of practice times per week that are typically based on age and ability.
Swim Meets
Meets are scheduled throughout the swim season. Coaches will let you know when your swimmer is “meet ready” and able to compete! There are no meet requirements, however, our swimmers tend to improve faster and have more FUN when they attend meets!
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NOTICE TO SWIM TEAM FAMILIES: There will be a $10 Away Meet Fee applied this year, per family. This is additional to the meet fee that is required for attending the meet.
Prerequisites:
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Ages 5-19
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Ability to swim 25 yards continuously
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Must be a current member of the YMCA of the Chippewa Valley
Head Coach:
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Ryan Wedl | rwedl@ymca-cv.org
SUMMER SWIM TEAM
JUNE 9-AUGUST 15, 2025
Members & Non-Members Registration: OPEN
BEGINNER BARRACUDAS | AGES 4-8 YEARS
An introduction to competitive swimming! Emphasis is on instruction and developmental drills teaching the four competitive strokes. A great way to prepare your young swimmer for YMCA of the Chippewa Valley Swim Team while developing new skills & friendships! Beginner Barracudas is primarily taught in the YMCA small wading pool. When the swimmers are ready to swim in the large pool they will spend some of the lesson time in that pool!
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Eau Claire Downtown YMCA
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Tuesdays & Thursdays, June 10-August 15
JUNIOR | AGES 10 & UNDER
Swimmers should be able to complete at least one length of freestyle and backstroke. The Junior group will be taught stroke technique for all of the four strokes. Competitive starts and turns will also be taught and practiced. There will be no practice requirement, however the more practices a swimmer attends the faster they will progress! A great way for your young swimmer to develop swimming skills and confidence while creating new friendships!
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Junior 1: Participants in this group must have passed Beginner Barracudas or can complete a full 25 of backstroke and freestyle in the large pool. This group will swim 45 minutes during their practice time. (Practice Expectation: 2 Days a week)
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Junior 2: Participants in this group must be able to do 3/4 of the primary strokes (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly). This group will swim 60 minutes during their practice time. (Practice Expectation: 2-3 days a week)
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Chippewa Falls YMCA
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Eau Claire Downtown YMCA
JUNIOR ELITE | AGES 9-11
For entry into this group swimmers should be able to complete at least 50 yards of each of the four strokes. The Junior Elite group is focused on improving stroke technique, and endurance. Will be working with qualified coaches focused on giving individual feedback, on each stroke. This group will start to understand and learn how to compete and race strategies, as well as get an introduction to competitive training.
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Fairfax Pool
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June 6-August 15
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Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7:15-8:45 AM | REGISTER
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SILVER | AGES 10-12
Swimmers in this group will still focus on technique as well as get a sample of what training will be once moved up to the Gold group. Swimmers should be committed to swimming at least 3-4 times per week, and must be able to swim and train all 4 strokes. Swimmers in this group experience a higher intensity, and be expected to train at least at a 1:45 per 100 base or faster. You will be told when you can move into this group.
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Fairfax Pool
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June 6-August 15
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Mondays-Fridays, 7:00-8:45 AM | REGISTER
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GOLD | AGES 13-18
Swimmers in this group are generally High School athletes, 14 and up. Training groups will be decided based on previous development and training experience. Swimmers are committed to swimming at a high level, expected to be at practice everyday, and focused on swimming at their best at bigger meets at the end of each competitive season. Swimmers will experience an increased training volume and intensity, and be expected to train at least at a 1:30 per 100 base or faster.
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Fairfax Pool
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June 6-August 15
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Mondays-Fridays, 7:00-8:45 AM | REGISTER
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TRI/LAP LEAGUE| AGES 18+ YEARS
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Fairfax Pool
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June 6-August 15
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Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:45-7:00 AM | REGISTER
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SPRING 2025 SWIM CLINICS
Registration for Spring Clinic:
Members & Non-Members: OPEN
BEGINNER BARRACUDA CLINIC | AGES 4-8
An introduction to competitive swimming! Emphasis is on instruction and developmental drills teaching the four competitive strokes. A great way to prepare your young swimmer for YMCA of the Chippewa Valley Swim Team while developing new skills & friendships! Beginner Barracudas is primarily taught in the YMCA small wading pool. When the swimmers are ready to swim in the large pool they will spend some of the lesson time in that pool!
Requirements: able to put face in water
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Eau Claire Downtown YMCA
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Chippewa Falls YMCA
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Saturday | April 19-May 31 (10 swimmers max)
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11:30-12:15 PM | REGISTER
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COST: Members: $55 | Non-Members: $105
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JUNIOR/JUNIOR ELITE CLINIC | AGES 6-10
Swimmers should be able to complete at least one length of freestyle and backstroke. The Junior group will be taught stroke technique for all of the four strokes. Competitive starts and turns will also be taught and practiced. There will be no practice requirement, however the more practices a swimmer attends the faster they will progress! A great way for your young swimmer to develop swimming skills and confidence while creating new friendships!
Junior 1: Participants in this group must have passed Beginner Barracudas or can complete a full 25 of backstroke and freestyle in the large pool. This group will swim 45 minutes during their practice time. (Practice Expectation: 2 Days a week)
Junior 2: Participants in this group must be able to do 3/4 of the primary strokes (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly). This group will swim 60 minutes during their practice time. (Practice Expectation: 2-3 days a week)
Junior Elite: For entry into this group swimmers should be able to complete at least 50 yards of each of the four strokes. The Junior Elite group is focused on improving stroke technique, and endurance. Will be working with qualified coaches focused on giving individual feedback, on each stroke. This group will start to understand and learn how to compete and race strategies, as well as get an introduction to competitive training.
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Chippewa Falls YMCA
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EAU CLAIRE DOWNTOWN YMCA
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Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays, April 14-May 29, 2025
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Junior 1: 4:15-5:00 PM | REGISTER or
- Junior 1: 5:00-5:45 PM | REGISTER
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COST: Members: $130 | Non-Members: $230
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Junior 2: 4:15-5:15 PM | REGISTER
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COST: Members: $140 | Non-Members: $240
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Junior Elite: 4:15-5:45 PM | REGISTER
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COST: Members: $155 | Non-Members: $255
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SILVER/GOLD CLINICS | AGES 10 & OLDER
Silver: Swimmers in this group will still focus on technique as well as get a sample of what training will be once moved up to the Gold group. Swimmers should be committed to swimming at least 3-4 times per week, and must be able to swim and train all 4 strokes. Swimmers in this group experience a higher intensity, and be expected to train at least at a 1:45 per 100 base or faster. You will be told when you can move into this group.
Gold: Swimmers in this group are generally High School athletes, 14 and up. Training groups will be decided based on previous development and training experience. Swimmers are committed to swimming at a high level, expected to be at practice everyday, and focused on swimming at their best at bigger meets at the end of each competitive season. Swimmers will experience an increased training volume and intensity, and be expected to train at least at a 1:30 per 100 base or faster.
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DAYS: Mondays-Fridays, April 14-May 30, 2025
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Eau Claire Memorial/Eau Claire South Middle School & Chippewa Falls Middle School from 6:30-8:30 PM
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Each group alternating by week
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CF Middle School | REGISTER HERE
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EC Memorial/Eau Claire South Middle School | REGISTER HERE
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Eau Claire South Middle School Dates: April 7, 14, 28 & May 5
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COST: Members: $180 | Non-Members: $280
TRI/LAP LEAGUE | AGES 18+ YEARS
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DAYS: Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays, September 10-May 29
