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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!

Prerequisites:

  • Ages 5 - 19

  • Ability to swim 25 yards continuously

  • Must be a current member of the YMCA of the Chippewa Valley

Head Coach:

Fall 2023 Swim Team Clinics | Registration Opened July 31:

JUNIOR/JUNIOR ELITE CLINIC | AGES 6-10

Designed for swimmers ages 6-10 who are looking to improve their swimming habits. Concentration will be on working those elusive streamlines and breakouts, as well as competitive finishes! Effective turns, starts, proper stroke technique as well as endurance swimming will be taught and practiced.

  • Chippewa Falls YMCA | September 11-October 6, 2023

    • Mondays, Tuesdays, & Thursdays

    • Junior: 6:00-7:15 PM

    • Junior Elite: 6:00-7:30 PM

    • REGISTER HERE

  • Eau Claire YMCA | September 11-October 6, 2023

    • Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays

    • Junior: 4:15-5:30 PM

    • Junior Elite: 4:15-5:45 PM

    • REGISTER HERE

  • COST: Members: $115 | Non-Members: $215

SENIOR/SENIOR ELITE CLINIC | AGES 11 & OLDER

This clinic is designed for swimmers 11 & older who are interested in maintaining and improving their fitness level and stroke technique. We will work to develop fast endurance swimming & sprints, stroke technique, and racing strategies! Improve your swimming conditioning with this clinic! Excellent preparation for Summer Long Course Season!

  • Mondays, Tuesdays, & Thursdays | September 11-October 6, 2023

    • Chippewa Falls Middle School & Eau Claire Memorial High School from 6:30-8:30 PM

      • Each group alternating by week

    • Senior Clinic | REGISTER HERE

    • Senior Elite Clinic | REGISTER HERE

  • COST: Members: $150 | Non-Members: $250

Fall 2023 Barracudas Swim Team Offerings | Registration Opened July 31:

BABY BARRACUDAS | AGES 4-8 YEARS

An Introduction to Competitive Swimming for children ages 4-8. 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! Baby Barracudas is primarily taught in the YMCA small wading pool. When the swimmers are ready to swim in the YMCA pool they will spend some of the lesson time in that pool!

  • November 14, 2023-March 17, 2024

  • Tuesdays & Thursdays

  • YMCA MEMBERS: $300 | NON-MEMBERS: $425 | Limit to 20 per session
     

JUNIOR | AGES 10 & UNDER (completed Level 4 of LTS lessons or Baby Barracudas)

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!

  • October 9, 2023-March 15, 2024

  • Chippewa Falls YMCA 

    • Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays

    • 6:00-7:00 PM

    • YMCA MEMBERS ONLY: $425

    • REGISTER HERE

  • Eau Claire YMCA

    • ​​Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays

    • On Mondays, all are welcome at the Chippewa Falls YMCA to practice. Please let Ryan Wedl know if you plan to do this.​

    • 4:15-5:30 PM

    • YMCA MEMBERS ONLY: $425

    • REGISTER HERE

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.

  • October 9, 2023-March 15, 2024

  • Chippewa Falls YMCA 

    • Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays

    • 6:00-7:30 PM

    • YMCA MEMBERS ONLY: $425

    • REGISTER HERE

  • Eau Claire YMCA

    • ​​Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays

    • On Mondays, all are welcome at the Chippewa Falls YMCA to practice. Please let Ryan Wedl know if you plan to do this.​

    • 4:15-5:45 PM

    • YMCA MEMBERS ONLY: $425

    • REGISTER HERE

SENIOR | MIDDLE SCHOOL AGE

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 Senior Elite group. Swimmers should be committed to swimming at least 4 times per week.

  • October 9, 2023-March 15, 2024

    • Mondays-Fridays (Alternating by week between Memorial High School & Chippewa Falls Middle School)

    • 6:30-8:30 PM

    • YMCA MEMBERS ONLY: $575

    • REGISTER HERE

SENIOR ELITE | HIGH SCHOOL AGE (14+)

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.

  • October 9, 2023-March 15, 2024

    • Mondays-Fridays (Alternating by week between Memorial High School & Chippewa Falls Middle School)

    • 6:30-8:30 PM

    • HIGH SCHOOL BOYS YMCA MEMBERS: $350 | REGISTER HERE

    • HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS YMCA MEMBERS: $460 REGISTER HERE

ADVANCED SWIM TEAM COACHING

One-on-one training with a swim team coach, who will provide instruction on technique and training geared toward developing into a better competitive swimmer. Work on all strokes, starts, turns, and whatever else you need practice on that can be used in a competition setting.

  • 30 Minute Sessions

    • 1 Session - $25

    • 5 Sessions - $110

    • 10 Sessions - $200

BARRACUDAS LAP/TRI LEAGUE | AGES 18+

Our Lap/Tri League offers coach and self-guided workouts per lane for different abilities. A coach will facilitate practice, help with time sets, instruct on technique, and offer one-on-one coaching for specific drills to promote swimming efficiency and injury prevention.

  • September 11, 2023-May 30, 2024

  • Mondays, Tuesdays, & Thursday

    • 5:45-7:00 AM 

    • YMCA MEMBERS: $125 | NON-MEMBERS: $175

  • If you have any questions contact Ryan Wedl: redl@ymca-cv.org 715-839-4614

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