Welcome to Ypsi Otters Swim Club!
The goal of our club is to provide every member an opportunity to improve swimming skills and achieve success at their level of ability, from novice to international competitor.
Registration for Fall 2024 is open for returning families. If you are interested in joining the waitlist, we are moving to a seasonal waitlist. Please complete the registration form for the waitlist for the Fall season - be sure to choose the correct form. One for swimmers who can swim all 4 strokes, and one for youth just learning to swim. We will contact families in the order of our class availability & position on the waitlist.
The YOSC runs the Fall, Winter & Spring Session on the public school schedule. All practices are held at YCS Willow Run Complex, 235 Spencer Lane, Ypsilanti
The YOSC offers a Summer Session (since 2015) at Rutherford Pool, 975 N. Congress, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Otter Swim Levels and Groupings
YOSC has multiple groupings to help advance swimmers to a competitive level. This way the Otters can include all levels of swimmers in the water. All levels focus on learning the four strokes of competitive swimming and increasing swimmers endurance. While moving up in the levels swimmers will learn flip-turns, side breathing, and competitive starts. Some levels include dry-land practice in addition to the swimming practice, this is important as it helps develop strong swimmers.
Group placement into the following levels is determined by coaching staff based on current swimming ability and training needs. All NEW swimmers must complete a swim test for evaluation and group placement.
Pups classes (4 swimmers per instructor)
Location: Shallow End of the Pool
Session length: 8 week sessions that meet twice per week for 45 minutes
Skills gained: Water confidence, the basics of strokes
Junior Otter classes (5-6 swimmers per instructor)
Location: Diving well
Session length: 8 week session that meet twice times per week for 45 minutes
Skills gained: work on front crawl, breathing and diving, and the other three competitive strokes
Intermediate Program
Location: Swim lanes, split into two levels (yellow and blue)
Session length: 8 weeks with four 60-minute practices available per week
Skills gained: work on all four main strokes, starts and turns.
Meets (optional): swimmers compete in dual meets, tri-county SMSL meets, and championships.
The Yellow and Blue swimmers swim full lengths, 25 yards, during practice. It is important to have strong foundation in order to finish these hour long practices. Basic drills and some endurance work is the focus of these lower competitive groups. YOSC recommends that Yellow and Blue swimmers attend at least 3-4 practices a week to improve.
Advanced Program
Location: dry land and swim lanes, broken into three levels (bronze, silver, gold)
Session Length: 10-13 weeks, five times per week for 2 hours ~30 minutes dryland & 90 minutes water practice
Skills: increased yardage, race strategy for competing in both SMSL and USA meets
Meets (optional): swimmers compete in dual SMSL meets, and championships.
Bronze, Silver, and Gold are our premier groups. Swimmers have dry land practice for 30 minutes, then swim for 90 minutes. These swimmers know all four strokes, appropriate turns, and are on their way to winning races. High level endurance is focused here, as well as a season practice plan that extends into our USA Swim season. YOSC recommends swimmers attend at least 4-5 practices a week to improve.
Gold is made up of our 14-18 year old high school level athletes, if you are looking to keep improving in your off season then this is the team. YOSC helps strengthen your swimmer's racing strokes so they are ready when the public school season begins. Swimmers have dry land practice for 30 minutes, then swim for 1.5 hours.
If your family is interested in joining the Otters, please complete the waitlist form: https://forms.gle/NyDze64Yg1xEtdsB7 You will be notified when there is a space available for your swimmer(s) or when our next open testing date is.
