The Jamestown YMCA Jets swim team kicked off its 88th season on Monday

This season the Jets, in addition to being a YMCA team, are also a registered USA swimming team.

“Every year we participate in at least four USA Swimming sanctioned meets,” said Coach Jason Chinni. “In the past, if our swimmers wanted to be part of USA Swimming, they had to be unattached or they had to join a Buffalo-based team. Now our swimmers can represent their team at both YMCA and USA competitions, and since Coach Maria Roehmholdt and I are both credentialed USA coaches, we can be on deck with our swimmers at every level of competition. This addition benefits our swimmers, our team and our community.”

The Jamestown Jets, in addition to being a YMCA/USA registered team, has started the process to become a registered paralympic team.

“We have had Jets’ swimmers competing in multiple para events for several years. Now we are making it official” said Roehmholdt.

The Jets swim team began their free trial/evaluation period on Monday at the Jamestown YMCA. Any swimmer who can complete the length of the pool on their front is welcome to come and try the Jets out. Times for the trial period are based on age and held Monday-Thursday at the Y. Those who are 5-8 years old will practice 4:30- 5:30 p.m., 9-11 years old will be 5:30-6:30 p.m. and 12 and older will practice 6:30-8 p.m. The trial period ends on Sept. 26. After that, new swimmers should contact Chinni or Roehmholdt to set up an evaluation time. There will be an informational parent meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 in the upper gym of the Jamestown YMCA.