Barracudas Swim Team
Dive into Excellence with YWCA’s Swim Team Program! Join a community of passionate swimmers dedicated to achieving greatness. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or a water enthusiast looking to make a splash, our program offers the perfect blend of skill development, friendship and fun. Make waves with us and embark on a journey to swimming success!
Summer Swim Team
Summer Season runs mid-May through mid-July with 5-6 meets and championships.
Fall Training
Two sessions to improve endurance, gain skills and have fun. Mini session runs from mid-August to September. Regular session runs from October to February.
Winter Warm Up
Winter Warm Up is a 10-week jump-start to summer swim team. It allows all levels of ability to strengthen stroke technique, starts, turns and race strategy in a fun and positive atmosphere.
We look forward to welcoming new and returning Barracudas that are ready to feed on the competition!
Summer Swim Team 2025
Practice Times
We practice Monday - Friday.
Monday, May 19th - Thursday, June 5th (no practice Memorial Day)
3:30-4:30pm 8 & unders.
All swimmers 8 & under may only attend 7 of the 13 practice days available. Sign up is required. Sign up link is HERE. We are going to limit this time to 50 swimmers per practice. This practice format will help us address parking and to make sure we are giving as much attention to each swimmer as possible.
4:30-5:30pm 9-10 year olds
5:30-6:30 11-12 year olds
6:30-7:30pm 13 & up
Friday, June 6th - Friday, July 18th
2:30-3:30 6 & unders
3:30-4:30 7-8 year olds
4:30-5:30 9-10 year olds
5:30-6:30 11-12 year olds
6:30-7:30 13 & up
Can my child “swim up” in a different age group?
We have many requests for siblings to "swim up" due to camp/other activities or so that siblings can swim at the same time and families do not need to commit to long periods of time at the pool.
While we understand the need for flexibility and we do want to work with families to make swim team convenient and accessible, YWCA coaching staff has decided this summer to limit swim up requests. Swimmers can swim down but coaching will still be geared towards the age group that is practicing.
We feel it is in the best interest of all of our swimmers to attend their age group's practice. Even swimmers that are more advanced are going to get more out of a swim time with their age-group peers. First, they will make friends! Secondly, swimmers will know who they're swimming with and against! Finally, and this is perhaps most important, coaches work on skills specific with each age group.
Each age group has specific criteria that we will use to determine if a swimmer can swim up. We are going to ask that swimmers come in for a formal assessment in order to determine if they can swim up this season. HERE is a link to the criteria. And HERE is a link to sign up for an assessment.
We welcome your questions and feedback. Feel free to email pooldir@ywca-lowercapefear.org
Meets - Schedule Updated 4/24/2025
The Barracudas is now fielding two teams for dual meets this summer! Barracuda Black and Barracuda Orange. Our meets will go faster, be less congested and will be more FUN!
Which team are you on? We will post team rosters HERE by Monday, June 2nd.
Wednesday, June 11th
Black team vs Sharks @ Cape Fear Country Club
4:45 warmup / 5:30 meet start
Orange team vs AquaHawks @ YWCA vs AquaHawks
4:00pm warmup / 5:00 meet start
Deadline to enter on Swimmingly: Sunday, June 8th @ 6pm
Monday, June 16th
Orange team vs PNCC Pirates & AquaHawks @ Porters Neck Country Club
4:15 warmup / 5:00pm meet start
Deadline to enter on Swimmingly: Friday, June 13th @ 6pm
Wednesday, June 18th
Black team vs YMCA Narwhals @ YWCA
4pm warmup / 5pm meet start
Deadline to enter on Swimmingly: Sunday, June 15th @ 6pm
Monday, June 23
RELAY MEET (by invite) Monday, June 23 @ Cape Fear Country Club
Deadline to enter on Swimmingly: Friday, June 20th @ 6pm
RELAY PRACTICE during regular practice times for all other Barracudas @ YWCA
Wednesday, June 25th
Black team vs AquaHawks @ YWCA
4pm warmup/5pm meet start
Orange team vs Stingrays @ Legion Stadium
430 warm-up / 5pm meet start
Deadline to enter on Swimmingly: Sunday, June 22nd @ 6pm
Wednesday, July 9th
Black team vs PVCC Porpoises @ YWCA
4pm warmup/5:00pm meet start
Deadline to enter on Swimmingly: Sunday, July 6th @ 6pm
Saturday, July 12th
Orange team vs Marsh Oaks Makos and Southport Marlins @ Fort Caswell
8:30am warmup/9:00am meet start
Deadline to enter on Swimmingly: Wednesday, July 9th @ 6pm
Monday, July 14th
Orange team @ YWCA vs Hampstead
4pm warmup / 5pm meet start
Black team vs Stingrays @ Legion Stadium
4:30pm warmup/5 meet start
Deadline to enter on Swimmingly: Friday, July 11th @ 6pm
Sunday, July 20th CHAMPS @ Cape Fear Country Club
6 & unders 9:00-10:30am,
7-8 year olds 12:00-1:30pm,
9-10 year olds 3:00-5:00pm
Monday, July 21st CHAMPS @ Cape Fear Country Club
11-12 year olds 2:30-4:00pm,
13 & up 5:30-7:00pm
Deadline to enter on Swimmingly: Wednesday, July 16th @ 6pm
Must participate in 2 (of 5) dual meets during the regular season in order to participate in Champs.
Let’s Party
Kick off party Saturday, May 17th 4pm-6pm
End of season AWARDS party Sunday, July 27th 4pm-6pm
Pizza and drinks provided. Everyone encouraged to come, swim and have fun!
Volunteer Requirement
All families must volunteer at least 2 times throughout the season. Volunteer sign up will be available in May. Volunteer roles include: Timing, Starter, Concessions, Computer, Head Timer, Stroke & Turn, Set Up, Clean Up.
Stroke and Turn training is available Sunday, May 18th 3pm-4pm and Sunday, June 1st 3pm-4pm @ YWCA.
Questions?
Contact pooldir@ywca-lowercapefear.org or call the YWCA Pool Front Desk 910-799-6820 x109
Is my swimmer ready for swim team?
Depending on the practice times you choose, swimmers 6 & under must be able to swim either 1/2 length of the pool or a full length of the pool - 25 yards - without stopping, holding on the rope or wall - freestyle and backstroke. We’ve had 3 year olds on swim team - but they’ve been able to swim that requirement with ease!
All other swimmers should be able to comfortably swim one length/25 yards of freestyle and backstroke.
We recommend all swimmers have completed Level 3 (or equivalent) of swim lessons before participating in swim team. This ensures a solid foundation and comfort in deeper water.
In addition to swim skills, swimmers should be able to follow multi-step directions, be ready to accept feedback and be a positive, respectful part of the team and practice sessions.
How to Register
Registration opens Monday, March 17th 9am
Register in person, by phone or online.
To register in person, come to the YWCA pool located at 2815 S College Rd. Please know that the parking lot will be busy and please do not park in the 4 spaces designated for childcare parking. Please wait outside until we are ready for registration, and then we will only allow 2-3 people into the lobby at a time.
To register by phone please call 910-799-6820 x109. Leave a message with your child’s name. We will call back registrants in the order we receive the voicemail. Please do not continue to call the YWCA as this holds up available phone lines - making it difficult to return calls.
To register online, please do to this link. If you are a nonmember, you will need to create a membership account. You can select any Aquatics membership type noting that membership alone does not include use of the pool outside of swim team practices. If you have any questions about YWCA membership please call the YWCA pool front desk. If you are a current or past YWCA member please login. Do not create a new member account. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in, you can email pool@ywca-lowercapefear.org anytime and we will submit a password reset on your behalf.
Swim Team FAQs
What is the goal of YWCA Barracudas Swim Team?
The goal of Swim Team is to improve swim knowledge and ability, and to encourage an atmosphere that promotes fun, teamwork and friendship!
Does Swim Team run all year?
YWCA Barracudas have the opportunity to train all year. Fall Training has two sessions that teach endurance and build skills (there are no swim meets in the Fall). Winter Warm Up enables swimmers to keep up with the skills they’ve learned and get a jumpstart to the summer swim meets. It allows all levels of ability to strengthen their stroke technique, starts, turns, muscle strength, endurance and race strategy. The goal of Winter Warm Up is to promote the sport of swimming in a fun, healthy and positive atmosphere. Summer Swim Team is the competitive season with 5-6 swim meets from mid-May through mid-July.
How do I register for Swim Team if I am currently or have been a YWCA Member?
Registration can be done online here. If you are currently or have been a YWCA Member do not create a new membership account; instead try to access your old account. If you have difficulties please email pool@ywca-lowercapefear.org and we will assist with retrieving your password.
How do I register for Swim Team if I am not a YWCA Member ?
If you are not currently a member, please select a membership option. If you are unsure of the best membership option for your household, contact the YWCA Pool Front Desk (910-799-6820 ext. 109 or pool@ywca-lowercapefear.org)