Seymour Swimming sign-ups under way

Seymour Swimming is having sign-ups from 5 to 6 p.m. today, Tuesday and Thursday at the Seymour High School pool.

A $160 fee is due at the time of sign-ups. Swimmers must bring a copy of their birth certificate to verify age; it will be not returned. Swimmers also will need to wear a swimsuit and bring a towel for ability-level testing.

Seymour Swimming is a nonprofit organization, partially funded by the Seymour Park and Recreation Department. Since it is only funded partially by the city, there is a fee structure based on ability level. The fee for minnows, the beginning level, is $100 for the winter season, plus a USA Swimming membership fee of $60.

If you can’t start immediately because of a conflict, starting dates can be worked out with the coaches. You can sign up now and start later.

Seymour Swimming is used as a beginning program for higher level groups, such as the middle school and high school teams. There are three ability levels — minnows, dolphins and sharks. Most swimmers start with minnows, where you need to know the basics of freestyle and backstroke and be able to stand up in 3.5 feet of water and not be afraid to put your face in the water. Minnows will be taught the correct technique in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. This group practices from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The winter season ends in the middle of February.

The head coach for Seymour Swimming is David Boggs. He has coached champions at the state and national levels, as well as an Olympian. Rob Payne and Dennis Bowers are the assistant coaches.

For information, contact Boggs at 528-2413.