Welcome to the Dutchess YMCA Devil Fish swim team! Our team participates in three competitive swim leagues: the ESSL, USA, and YMCA leagues. A swimmer can swim in one or all of the leagues.

     The Empire State Swim League has dual meets from October through March.  We will have approximately 6 - 7 ESSL Meets. Swimmers have the opportunity to qualify for the ESSL championships held on March 8, 2008. These meets are both competitive and fun. Every swimmer, from the new swimmer to the experienced swimmer, is encouraged to swim these meets. There are no fees associated with ESSL dual meets. There are three invitationals offered throughout the season. The invitationals are meets sponsored by a host team and open to all the teams in the league. At these meets, there are small fees charged for the races.

     The YMCA league offers dual meets between YMCAs. The YMCA has its own league with separate qualifying times and its own championship meet. (We are members of the East Field -North division of YMCA swimming.) There is no cost at YMCA dual meets. However, as with the ESSL league, there are fees for the invitational meets. State championships will be held at Eisenhower Park Pool in Long Island on March 14-16, 2008.  If you have a qualifying time, you can attend the Y State Championships as long as you have competed in at least two YMCA meets.

     The USA Swim League is the most competitive of the three leagues. The Devil Fish belong the the Metropolitan division of USA swimming. To compete in this league you must register as a member of US Swimming. There is a fee of $54 to register. This league offers several levels of championships from the age-group championships through the Junior Olympics. Ask your lane coach if your swimmer should consider swimming in this league.

      Our team swim suits are ordered early in the swim season. If you have missed the suit order, you can order independently on-line. The male and female suits are "The Finals Rapids" in black and red. Swim caps are  also required as part of the "team uniform".  Caps with the swimmer's name printed on the sides will be offered.  This makes it easier for you to pick out your swimmer in the water and also make lost caps easier to find.

     We encourage all new parents to get involved and volunteer for one of the many jobs required to run swim meets. There is always a need for timers, concession help, averagers, etc. There will be a sign-up sheet for volunteers before any home meet. The sign-up sheet will be on the bulletin board opposite the locker rooms. Make sure you are on the team's e-mail list. (Mark Amodio is maintaining the e-mail roster.) We communicate much of the information regarding meets, meetings, and cancelations through e-mail. Check the bulletin boards often. Sign-up sheets for meets for all three leagues will be posted on the bulletin boards. Also posted are the qualifying times for league championships.