Flying Fish News - 6/27/2021
For the calendar
  • Wednesday, June 30 -- deadline to donate a personalized brick for our new front entrance.
  • Thursday, July 1 - last day of current season.*
  • Tuesday, July 6 - late summer season begins. See below.
  • Thursday, July 8 - Sunday, July 11 - Speedo Sectionals; RecPlex, Pleasant Prairie, WI. See below.
  • Saturday, July 10 - Saturday water polo begins. See below.
  • Friday, July 16 - Sunday, July 18 - Summer Regionals; Glenbrook South High School. See below.
  • Monday, August 2 - Friday, August 13 - Flying Fish Aquatics Camp for 8-10 year olds. More info coming soon.

*Our pools are closed Friday, July 2 - Monday, July 5 due to the holiday.
Next season is July 6 - August 6; register now
Our late summer season begins Tuesday, July 6 and ends Friday, August 6. You'll find the schedule and other information here.

If you confirmed your participation with a coach, please register on Community Pass as soon as possible.

If you are interested in participating in this season and have not reached out to a coach, please contact Pete to check group placement and availability.
Four-week session of water polo starts July 10
We're offering beginning water polo on Saturdays from 1-2 pm beginning July 10 and ending July 31.

This 4-week session is open to all genders age 10-12 years old and the cost is $65. You don't have to be currently swimming with us to participate, but basic swimming skills are necessary.

If you're interested, email Pete.
Good luck, Flying Fish high school graduates
We send best wishes to all of our 2021 high school graduates, who represent a variety of schools in the area. See below for updates and reflections from this great group. We will continue to share info from all of our graduates as we receive it. (Class of 2021: Please fill out the questionnaire and return it to Pete asap!)
Quinn Sciarra
*When did you start swimming at the YWCA?
I started swimming at the YWCA when I was 2 or 3 years old. 

*What is your favorite Flying Fish memory?
Some of my favorite Flying Fish memories are those where I’m sitting with friends at swim meets, listening to music and getting ready for races. I remember one time I was swimming the 100 fly, and a bunch of my teammates were at the side cheering me on and that was a great feeling. But my most favorite memories are fun swim practices, where I get to talk to my teammates and roll dice for sets with Chris.

*What will you miss most about swimming at the YWCA?
I will miss my coaches who have seen me grow up!

*What are your plans for next year?
I am attending Indiana University, where I will study music education at the Jacobs School of Music. I also want to minor in statistics or biology.

*Anything else you want to say to young swimmers, parents, coaches or anyone else?
Swimming is so good for the body and the soul! I hope anyone swimming can find rejuvenation in the water and happiness because of it. Flying Fish is such a special team because of the happiness it gives me, and I thank my coaches and friends for that. As the famous Dory once said: “Just keep swimming!” :)
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Erin Long
*When did you start swimming at the YWCA?
I started with lessons when I was 3, which would be 15 years ago. 

*What is your favorite Flying Fish memory?
The training trips were always the highlights of my years at Flying Fish; I loved the weather, training hard, and having so much fun with the team! I’m so lucky to have had such a fun experience on the team and the YWCA will always have a special place in my heart.

*What will you miss most about swimming at the YWCA?
I will definitely miss the people most. All of the coaches and teammates that I swam with made my experience on the team so fun, and I cannot thank them enough for having such a positive impact on my time at the YWCA. 

*What are your plans for next year?
I plan to go to the University of Michigan and study biology on the pre-med track. 

*Anything else you want to say to young swimmers, parents, coaches or anyone else?
I want to encourage all of the young swimmers to keep up the hard work and stick with it. While it might be hard in the moment, Terry’s Monday afternoon sets will do you good in the long run. 
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Noah Kayaian
*When did you start swimming at the YWCA?
 2019 

*What is your favorite Flying Fish memory?
Triple Crown in 2019 or the OZ Relays.

*What will you miss most about swimming at the YWCA?
 All the friends I made and the coaches who constantly pushed me to be better.

*What are your plans for next year?
I am attending the University of Oregon and studying Business Administration.

*Anything else you want to say to young swimmers, parents, coaches or anyone else?
 Keep working hard and going to morning practices. 
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Upcoming swim meets
Central Zone Speedo Sectionals @ RecPlex, Pleasant Prairie, WI
Thursday, July 8 - Sunday, July 11
This meet has qualifying times. More info coming soon.


Summer Regionals @ Glenbrook South High School, Glenview
Friday, July 16 - Sunday, July 18
Illinois Swimming is not holding official Regionals this summer due to Covid; this meet is a sanctioned meet for those in the area with Regional qualifying times. More info coming soon.
Meet results
*Time trials for younger swimmers @ YWCA Evanston/North Shore
Late April/early May
Results are posted here.

*FMC Senior Challenge @ FMC Natatorium in Westmont
Thursday, May 20 - Sunday, May 23
You'll find results here.

*Lake Forest Swim Club SwimFest @ Rec Plex, Pleasant Prairie, WI
Saturday, June 5 - Sunday, June 6
You'll find results here. Congratulations to all participants!
Covid protocols and submitting proof of vaccination
Read the most recent update about YWCA Covid protocols here.

Please note that, beginning July 6 (our next season), any swimmer who has submitted proof of vaccination will not need to wear a mask in the building. (You can submit proof of vaccination by emailing a copy of your vaccination card to Pete or by bringing a hard copy to your coach.)

Those who have not submitted proof of vaccination will need to continue to wear masks in the building except when swimming.
Can you help by donating personal care products?
YWCA Evanston/North Shore's new emergency shelter for domestic violence survivors and their families is opening soon. Can you help by donating personal care items? Here's what's needed:
  • dental floss
  • deodorant
  • conditioner
  • body lotion

The shelter has a lot of other essential products, but we need the above items -- in regular sizes. If you can help, please send any of these with your swimmer or bring them to the pool entrance on Ridge Avenue and give them to a coach or instructor.

Thank you for your support! If you have questions, contact Trimmy Stamell, YWCA's director of grants and special events.
In other YWCA news. . .
Interested in other happenings at YWCA Evanston/North Shore? Read our latest e-newsletter here. For more information tailored to your interests, sign up for emails below.
YWCA Flying Fish | 847-864-8445 | flyingfish@ywca-ens.org| www.ywca-ens.org