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. 3. A parent meeting for families interested in the YMCA Swim Team is Monday. You can contact the YMCA for sign-up or questions at 507-433-1804.

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, Florida 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 has 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 yards or one length of the YMCA pool without help or flotation devices.