Swimming
Are you looking for a fun and healthy activity to get involved in, either for yourself or with your children? Swimming might be what you're looking for. Not only is swimming fun, but it is also a great exercise. Whether you are just learning how to swim, searching for a competitive swim club, or looking to get in shape, the Bloomington/Normal area has tons of options to choose from. This page will cover all there is to know and do about local swimming, from instructional to travel swim team to even collegiate swimming.
Private Swimming Pools
There are pools around town, where you either need to be a member or an employee of the sponsoring company, live in the adjacent area such as apartment complexes or subdivisions, or be a student or faculty member of a school owned pool.
Of these private pools, State Farm pool is the biggest. However, you need to be an employee or immediate family of an employee to gain access to this pool. Here is a link to State Farm Pool already provided.
College Level Swimming
Illinois State University has an excellent swimming program. With student swimmers from all over the country, they have excelled as athletes and are setting record paces. For 30 years as the head swimming and diving coach, Steve Paska, has lead his team to success as swimmers as well as students. In the 2014 spring semester, the Redbird swimmers ranked in the top five Div 1 programs in terms of GPA. Athletically, the ISU swimmers have won 5 Midwest Independent titles, 3 National Independent Championships, and 1 Missouri Valley Conference title. Coach Paska is a former 2 time letter winner as an ISU Redbird swimmer,
http://goredbirds.com/index.aspx?path=wswim
Illinois Wesleyan University Swimming
http://www.iwusports.com/index.aspx?path=wswim
High School Swimming
In the Bloomington/Normal area there are 5 high school with competitive swimming in their athletic programs. Here is a list of those schools and a link to their athletic department's website.
Normal Community High School Swimming
Boys -
http://il.8to18.com/nchs/activities/swimming/b
Girls -
http://il.8to18.com/nchs/activities/swimming/g
Normal Community West High School
Boys -
http://il.8to18.com/ncwhs/activities/swimming/b
Girls -
http://il.8to18.com/ncwhs/activities/swimming/g
Central Catholic High School
Boys -
http://il.8to18.com/bcc/activities/swimming/b
Bloomington High School
Boys -
Girls
UHigh
Boys -
http://il.8to18.com/UniversityHS/schedule/swimming/b/v/2014-2015
Girls
http://il.8to18.com/UniversityHS/schedule/swimming/g/all/2014-2015
Swim Clubs
There are various swim clubs around the Bloomington Normal area. They either offer swimming lessons or a competitive swim team.
Rob Knight Swim America
RKSA is located in the old Bloomington Jr. High School building on Washington St. in Downtown Bloomington. Being smack dab in the middle of town, the location is easy and convenient for just about anyone to get to. At RKSA, they offer swim lessons for anyone wanting to learn to swim. The lessons are divided up into 5 'lanes'. The younger beginners are in lane 1 and work their way up to lane 5. In lanes 4 and 5 they begin to teach proper diving techniques as well.They work on a graduated 'sticker' program. Each child receives a paper with spots for 10 stickers on it. After the child successfully completes a skill, they receive a sticker. After they have received the 10th sticker, they graduate out of the program. RKSA is very committed to teaching the proper techniques for breathing and for each stroke.
http://www.robknightswimamerica.com/
Bloomington/Normal Waves
The Bloomington/Normal Waves are through the YMCA of Bloomington. They focus on excellence as a team and developing a swimmer from just beginning to training for national levels. The WAVES swim team is one of just twenty USA Swimming clubs - and the only club in the Midwest honored as Olympic Development clubs for developing three or more swimmers ages 17 and younger to the 2008 Olympic Trials, the highest level swimming meet in the country. WAVES is head coached by Charles Yourd. Coach Yourd is certified by the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) as a Level 5 coach, ranking among the top 2% of ASCA member coaches. He has been the WAVES head coach since August 1998, and coaches the Performance and Senior squads.
http://www.bnywaves.org/Home.jsp?team=iswbny
Bloomington Normal Swim Club
At Bloomington Normal Swim Club, their program is based on the philosophy that they believe there is no good or bad swimmers. That every child is at their own developmental level. At BNSC they believe that each swimmer reaches the peak of their careers at the high school and college level. Classes are designed where the younger groups have more free time between practices, and older swimmers and families are asked for more dedication to swimming. Each coach at BNSC is a member of the American Swim Coaches Association.
http://www.bloomingtonswimclub.com/
Four Seasons Swim Club
Four Seasons swim club is geared more toward improvement based on personal goals and skills. Their model is based on the success of each swimmer is measured by individual skill and time improvements not by being measured against other swimmers.
http://www.4seasons-club.com/aquatics/swim-team/
Bloomington Parks and Rec Dolphins
The Dolphins swim team is sponsored through the Bloomington Parks and Rec Department. They offer instruction and conditioning for children of all ages. The children are placed according to ability level, and coached by a very experienced staff. All practices and meets are held at O'Neil pool located at 1515 W Chestnut St. Bloomington. All members of the competitive team must be able to swim 25 yards freestyle and backstroke to be able to participate on the team. There is a parent committee as well, where parents are given the opportunity to help with the concessions and help with extra events outside of regular meets and practices. Parents are also a valuable part of meets helping with scores, timing, and general helpers.
http://4.17.232.139/parks/Parks-Facilities/Aquatics/swim-team.htm
Normal Parks and Rec Swimming Sharks
This program through the Normal Parks and Rec Department, is offered to children ages 3 - 17. To be eligible to participate a child must be able to swim one length of the pool. Swimmers are grouped based on ability. Morning and evening practices are available and take place at Anderson Aquatic Center. The Swimming Sharks finished the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 seasons undefeated as the Twin City Swim Conference Champion.
https://www.normal.org/index.aspx?NID=513
Bloomington YMCA Learn to Swim
At the Bloomington YMCA, they understand the importance of learning to swim. From getting your baby used to the water, to teaching your pre-schooler life saving skills, to adults that never learned how but would like to start, the learn to swim program focuses on outcome and results. Lessons start at age 6 months to adult.
http://www.bnymca.org/programs/learn-to-swim/
Aquatic Centers
Some other places to enjoy swimming in the B/N area are seasonal pools and aquatic centers that are only open during the summer months. They may also offer swim lessons, but are not year round.
Fairview Aquatic Center
Located on N. Main St. in Normal, Fairview Aquatic Center has four pools and five slides - including a tube slide, body slide, and the speed slide with a drop of 35 feet for the older kids and adults. For smaller children, they have a splash park with over a dozen features. Fairview offers a zero depth activity pool, sand volleyball court, concessions, and SO much more.
https://www.normal.org/facilities/Facility/Details/34
Fairview Park & Aquatic Center
Anderson Aquatic Center
Open to the public from early June to mid-August, Anderson Aquatic Center offers three pools - a large pool with a diving board, the second pool with two waterslides, and a zero depth pool. Anderson offers private rental of the facilities for birthday parties, reunions, etc. And is home to the Normal Sharks swim team.
https://www.normal.org/facilities/facility/details/Anderson-Aquatic-Center-56
Anderson Park & Aquatic Center
Staying Safe in the Pool
The American Red Cross of the Heartland provides this checklist :
1. Protect your skin
2. Pay attention to local weather and forecasts
3. Swim under the supervision of a lifeguard
4. Swim with a buddy
The Pantagraph has a great list of additional safety information -
