• Saturday, June 1 - Sunday, June 2: LFSC Wisconsin Swim Fest. See below. (Note Saturday practice changes, too.)
• Sunday, June 9: Last day of spring season.
• Monday, June 10: Summer season begins.
• Wednesday, June 19: No practices due to holiday.
• Friday, June 21 - Sunday, June 23: Coho/HPAC Speedo Summer Classic. See below.
• Thursday, July 4: No practices due to holiday.
• Saturday, July 6 - Sunday, July 7: CWAC Summer Sizzle. See below.

You can always find more info, including the practice schedule, on the swim team page of the YWCA Evanston/North Shore website.

The summer season of swim team starts Monday, June 10. If you intend to swim this summer, please confirm with Pete and register by Saturday, June 1.

You'll find more info about the summer season here.

Best wishes to all of our 2024 high school graduates. Class of 2024: Even if you're not currently swimming with us, please complete the questionnaire and return it to Pete ASAP. We want to hear from all of you, even if you were done swimming months ago. Thank you!

For part 1 of our graduates, see the May 20 edition of the Flying Fish News.

*****

When did you start swimming at the YWCA?

When I was 8 years old.

What is your favorite Flying Fish memory? You can have more than one!

Seeing my progress throughout the years of the swim marathon and choreographing synchronized swimming performances in the Oz Relay!

What will you miss most about swimming at the YWCA?

All of the amazing people I have met at the YWCA and the fun times we've had!

What are your plans for next year?

I will be studying environmental science at Tufts University in the fall.

Anything else you want to say to young swimmers, parents, coaches or anyone else?

Thank you to every single coach I've had at the YWCA for making my experience in the pool so wonderful. Each of you has played an important role in my swim journey from Redfish to now.

Because of your support and encouragement, the pool will be a special place to me for the rest of my life.

When did you start swimming at the YWCA?

I started swimming at the YWCA when I was four years old. I joined the swim team when I was eight.

What is your favorite Flying Fish memory? You can have more than one!

I have so many great Flying Fish memories. From guessing absurd answers in Terry’s trivia games, to laughing with Anne on the pool deck during swim meets, to driving in a van with Pete and Terry on our training trips, there are countless memories I cherish.

Some of my closest friendships have been built in the pool. I am so incredibly grateful for the relationships I made with coaches and teammates over the years.

What will you miss most about swimming at the YWCA?

I will miss the small moments when I would talk to coaches at practices and after races. Their dedication, encouragement and support helped me to become not only the best swimmer I can be, but also the best person I can be as well.

I will miss the welcoming community and the relationships built over the years, which make the YWCA feel like home. 

What are your plans for next year?

I am swimming at Colorado College and plan to study some type of science on a pre-medicine track.

Anything else you want to say to young swimmers, parents, coaches or anyone else?

Take time to appreciate the Flying Fish community, whether that be the coaches, your teammates or the friendly faces you see when walking through the YWCA doors. Know that you are supported, loved, and fortunate to be a part of such a devoted community.

When did you start swimming at the YWCA?

I started taking lessons at the YWCA when I was four and joined the team when I was eight!

What is your favorite Flying Fish memory? You can have more than one!

From Diamondfish practices and hangouts, to Charlotte meets, to training trips, Flying Fish has left me with amazing and funny memories with friends and teammates.

One of my favorite memories was when I first made Charlotte and looked up to see Anne smiling from across the pool.

What will you miss most about swimming at the YWCA?

I will miss the supportive community at the YWCA. My coaches and friends are always there believing in me and cheering me on, from when I first began swim lessons to practices today. I am so happy to have been able to spend so much time at the Flying Fish. 

What are your plans for next year?

I will be attending Colorado College where I plan to study business or law. I will also be swimming for the Colorado College team! 

Anything else you want to say to young swimmers, parents, coaches or anyone else?

I want to say thank you to all of my coaches who have been supportive and welcoming. I have not only learned how to swim, but have also learned life lessons and what it means to be a teammate. Thank you for all of the memories!

LFSC Wisconsin Swim Fest @ RecPlex, Pleasant Prairie, WI (long course)

Saturday, June 1 - Sunday, June 2

13-overs in AM session; 12-unders in PM session.

An email with meet details was sent to those entered. You'll find our updated entry here.

Coho/HPAC Speedo Summer Classic @ Highland Park High School (Highland Park) and Deerspring Park Pool (Deerfield)

Friday, June 21 - Sunday, June 23

• Timed finals (short course) for 10-under; prelim/final format for 11-over.
• 11-over prelims and 10-under timed finals will be swum at Highland Park High School (short course); 11-over finals will be swum at Deerspring Park Pool (long course).
• 11-over prelims AM, 10-under midday, 11-over finals PM.

An email with meet details will go out soon. You'll find our initial entry here.

CWAC Summer Sizzle @ University of Illinois Chicago (long course)

Saturday, July 6 - Sunday, July 7

• 12-under - AM sessions; 13-over - PM sessions

Eligible groups: Blue/Iron/Diamond/Gold/High School. White/Red/Silver with long course meet experience may also be eligible. Check with your coach.

Email Pete by Monday, June 3 if you're interested. Then sign up on Community Pass. Meet fee is $45.

Information about summer championship meets to come.

*****

What's the difference between long course and short course?

Long course refers to a pool that measures 50 meters in length. The standard size for international swimming (including the Olympics) is 50 meters. Typically, swim meets conducted in the U.S. from the end of April through August are long course.

Short course refers to a pool that measures 25 yards in length. Generally, meets conducted in the U.S. from October to March are short course. The YWCA upstairs pool is a short course pool.

The Flying Fish coaches do not recommend long course meets for beginning swimmers or those with little meet experience.

Oz Memorial Meet @ YWCA Evanston/North Shore (short course)

Monday, May 13 - Thursday, May 16

Results are posted here.

RISE/Kendall Pickering Meet @ UIC Natatorium, Chicago (long course)

Saturday, May 11

Results are posted here.



NASA Spring Blast Off @ Northwestern University, Evanston (long course)

Friday, May 3 - Sunday, May 5

Results are posted here.

Sunkissed Invitational @ Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, Charlotte, NC

Thursday, March 21 - Sunday, March 24

Results are posted here.

The Race Against Hate is Sunday, June 16. Help the YWCA spread the word by planting a sign in your yard. (Signs are available in the lobby.)

Learn more about the Race Against Hate and how to participate here.

YWCA Flying Fish | 847-864-8445 | flyingfish@ywca-ens.org | www.ywca-ens.org