Hello everyone,

I hope you are all having a nice summer so far. :)

For the upcoming Nazareth/Easton YMCA swim season, 2025-2026, we have been able to expand what we offer. The River Crossing YMCA (RCY) is definitely interested in allowing us to run a fuller program. :)

2025-2026 Significant Changes

• A full fall/winter season - Everyone will be able to participate from the beginning of September to the end of March. No separate preseason that charges a fee by the week, no more limited number of available spots for swimmers in September. No separate post season either, with different fees based upon which meets a swimmer qualifies for. EVERYONE may participate September to March.
• More practice days - Everyone will be able to participate in Saturday practices.
• More lane space - Most training groups will have more available lane space on average each week.
• More training hours available - Older or more experienced swimmers will have access to longer training sessions. In other words, we will be able to offer 90 minute and two hour practices more often to a larger number of swimmers each week. 
• RCY Invitational - At the end of March, everyone will be able to compete in an RCY championship between all the RCY swim teams, of which we are a part. Of course, we will have to balance this with District, State, and National qualifying, but regardless of what you may or may not have qualified for, everyone gets a final champ meet at the true end of the season (not just Madison champs 1-2 months short).

Plus, it looks like we will be able to offer dryland to more swimmers too. 

Not to mention, RCY admin is working to get us a fuller coaching staff. With a significant increase in hourly pay to both the head coach and our assistant coaches, our ability to attract and maintain more coaches will be enhanced. 

There is a cost to all this though, and that is an increase in the swim team seasonal program fee. However, when you add it up and compare to previous seasons (preseason fee + regular season fee + post season fee - (minus) no Saturdays for most swimmers) and add on the extended lane space and hours available per week we will now get..., and increase in coaches pay, which I hope you believe is worth it..., the price increase per member is reasonable.  

In any case, please review the attached PDF letter, and feel free to let me know your thoughts and provide any feedback if you like.

As always, see you on deck!

Coach Drake