Does your child love the water? Do they enjoy personal achievement? Did they watch the summer Olympics and say “I could do that!” Well, the time is here. The YMCA of Austin will be starting the short course age group swim season on Oct. 6.

A 6 p.m. parent meeting for families interested in the YMCA Swim Team is Sept. 29 in the YMCA multi-purpose room. Questions you may have can be answered at the parent meeting stop by and take the time to find out more.

At the YMCA, our Swim Team program is set up for not only the brand new young swimmer, but our coaches have taken swimmers to the YMCA National Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. held at the Swimming Hall of Fame.

Our coaches work on developing the specific needs of the individual child. Many Olympians began their careers on YMCA swim teams. Our programs have seen many of its age group swimmers swim in college and become College All Americans.

Swimming is a sport that follows you through life – you still see 80- and 90-year-olds in the pool or swimming Masters Programs — but you don’t see those 80- or 90-year-olds on the football field, ice rink or basketball court.

We have five practice times available each week — you can choose one or more days that works best with your family schedule. We take swimmers as young as 5 to 18 years old, the only requirement is that they can swim 25 yard or one length of the YMCA pool without help or flotation devices.

The team is coached by Cindy Bowe and she has 24 years of competitive swim experience, while the remaining coaching staff of five swam not only on the Aqua Pack team but swam with the Austin Packers – now adults with families or college students – they all share a love and passion for the sport and want to see your child succeed.

For questions call Cindy at the YMCA 433-1804.