YMCA of Greensboro

The GCY (Greensboro Community YMCA) Makos Swim Team is the YMCA of Greensboro's year-round swim team for children 5 and up. There are short courses, long courses, national, seasonal and so many more training options. The Makos is the largest growing year-round swim team in the Greensboro, North Carolina, area. As of 2023, the team is ranked 21st age group program in the country, top 20 Ys teams in the country, top-ranked mid-sized team in North Carolina in aged group champs (14 and under) and seniors (15+). 

You can join the GCY Makos any time throughout the year. There are requirements to make the team – please see below for details. A YMCA membership is required for the team. There is a 25% discount on the monthly program fee for the second and third siblings. The fourth+ sibling receives 50% discount on the monthly program fee. Note: Discounts are applied to the lowest monthly program fee. 

Register for GCY Swim Visit Team Webpage

For additional questions, call us at (336) 478-9635.

A GCY Makos swimmer competes at the long course trials swim meet.

Seasonal Track

September - May

Junior Makos
1 practice/week

  • Approximate Ages 4 & 5
  • For future swimmers in their final year of preschool, who want to learn to swim using the foundations of the four competitive sports
  • Participants should be comfortable in the water and have some experience going underwater
  • Swimmers learn to dive and are introduced to flipping and turn work

Homeschool
Recommended 2-3 practices/week

  • Instruction for homeschooled swimmers at the Makos (1-2-Fit) level
  • Approximate Ages 5-13
  • Must be able to swim 25 yards on stomach and back
  • Participants are able to participate in all of our closed YMCA competitions
  • A great introductory program before joining our competitive team

Makos 1
Recommended 2-3 practices/week

  • Approximate Ages 8 & under
  • Must be able to swim 25 yards on stomach and back
  • Participants are able to participate in all of our closed YMCA competitions
  • A great introductory program before joining our competitive team

Makos Fit
Recommended 2+ practices/week

  • Grades: Middle and High School only
  • Must be able to swim 25 yards on stomach and back
  • Participants are able to participate in all of our closed YMCA competitions
  • A great program before joining our competitive teams, one that will help those involved in summer league or high school swimming!

Makos 2
Recommended 2-3 practices/week

  • Approximate Ages 7-12 (advanced, younger swimmers may qualify)
  • Must be able to swim 25 yards on stomach and back
  • Participants are able to participate in all of our closed YMCA competitions
  • A great introductory program before joining our competitive team

Masters (18 & up)
Recommended 2+ practices/week

  • 18 & over. Should be able to repeat laps. Program is individualized to swimmer need (from completing their first triathlon or Masters Meet to achieving Hawaii Ironman qualification or Masters National Championships)
  • Option to join our Senior Sprint/National swimmers if level matches up and space is available at same pricing
  • GCY Masters has worked with every level, including those just starting to those with world records

Competitive Track

September-August
USA Swimming & YMCA Competition

National Track

September-August
USA Swimming & YMCA Competition

Age Group
Recommended 3-4 practices/week

  • Ages 7-11
  • Swimmers should be able to complete 50 yards in all four competitive strokes, the 100 IM and 100 Free, plus have the intention to participate in area USA and YMCA swim meets
  • Stroke, turn, start, and underwater refinement; progress to sets/interval training 

National Prep
Recommended 6 practices/week

  • Ages 11-13
  • Swimmers should have achieved at least two USRY time standards in 2 different strokes in the corresponding 11-12 or 13-14 age groups
  • Meet attendance is expected and all swimmers will compete in every offered individual event each year 

Senior Prep
Recommended 4-5 practices/week

  • Ages 10-13
  • Must be able to complete 100 yards in all four competitive strokes or be in middle school; should understand set language and be proficient at holding set intervals
  • Continue to get stroke, turn, start, and underwater refinement; focus on kicking and aerobic base while developing and emphasizing proper form 

National 1
Recommended 7-8 practices/week

  • Ages 14-18
  • Meet all requirements for National Prep, but willing to commit to National 2 requirements
  • Should have at least 3 Capital Classic cuts and swimmers at National 1 levels should be able to train successfully with National 2 swimmers
  • Expected to attend practices and meets regularly
  • No more than 5-6 in-water practices; weight training to supplement up to 8 total practices 

National
Recommended 5 practices/week

  • Ages 14-18
  • For all High School Swimmers not in our National 1 & 2 programs
  • Swimmers continue focus points of Age Group & Senior Prep levels, while identifying strengths and developing main events to their highest levels
  • Starts our “Look-for-it” process, which identifies where swimmers can be successful at the collegiate level
  • This group practices at the elite level with a focus on high school swimming 

National 2
Recommended 8-9 practices/week

  • Ages 14-18
  • Must be able to complete all offered strokes and distances during the Fall season and have at least one YMCA National Cut from the previous season
  • Expected to attend practices and meets regularly
  • No more than 6 in-water practices; weight training to supplement up to 9 total practices