NORWICH — The Norwich YMCA Dolphins swim team is suiting up and getting ready for the upcoming 2026-2027 season.

As always, the team is looking to grow, swim faster, gain depth, and have fun. With highlights from the 2025-2026 season including hosting the Central NY YMCA District Championship meet, eight broken team records (some over 30 years old), one broken Central NY District record, an undefeated age group title and 9-10 girls Central NY District championships title, third place NY State 9-10 girls age group championship, and more state champions crowned, provide for a solid foundation going into the upcoming season.

Making its official debut this year is the “MiniDolphins” program which specifically for 6-year-olds. This program is designed with young swimmers in mind that are excelling through or have outgrown traditional swim lessons. Criteria for MiniDolphins includes being able to swim unassisted for a distance of at least 5-10 yards before needing a break in any stroke, even dog-paddle; comfortable going underwater to retrieve objects; and being comfortable swimming in the deep end. The focus of training is on the FUNdamentals of competitive swimming strokes (especially freestyle and backstroke), body balance in the water, and fun!

“We had a soft launch of the MiniDolphins program last year with a fantastic cohort of 6-year-old swimmers. They really bonded together during practices and meets,” said head coach Eric Diefenbacher. “They exceeded our goals and, by the end of the season, were able to swim in relays with the rest of the 8&under age group at District Championships. An amazing achievement for these young swimmers!”

From the young swimmers to the older swimmers in their senior year of high school, the Dolphins look to recruit swimmers of all ages and abilities to the sport. Competitive swimming offers a great way to cross train for athletes that are in between seasons of spring, summer, and fall sports. Competitive swimmers on school swim teams within Chenango County are encouraged to register for the Dolphins and can swim on the Dolphins team at the same time during their school league season. Practices and times achieved during school league season count towards YMCA practices and qualifying times for YMCA meets.

“Older swimmers gain a real benefit from the longer YMCA season, tighter competition, and faster time standards that make them better conditioned and faster overall. This coupled with a highly experienced coaching staff that has both competed at and coached swimmers at the national level, help older swimmers excel in the pool. We focus on the swimmer, their goals, and what motivates them to succeed.”

The new season starts September 28 at the Norwich YMCA and registration is now open. Practices for seasoned competitive swimmers, 11&up, are available Monday through Friday 4:30-6pm with dry-land stations opening a few weeks into the season. Swimmers new to the sport of any age and seasoned competitive swimmers in the 8&under age group, practices are available Monday through Friday 6-7pm. Swimmers in the 8&under age group are encouraged to pick any three days of the week for practice. MiniDolphins practice Monday, Wednesday, Friday 6-7pm and are encouraged to pick any two of those available days to practice. More information is available at the front desk of the YMCA.

-Information from the Norwich YMCA Dolphins