West Seattle YMCA Dolphins swim team: Meet the new coach; check out tryouts for swimmers 6-18

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Photo courtesy West Seattle YMCA)
Young swimmer in the house? S/he might consider trying out for the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) Dolphins. The Y shares this update with news of tryouts as well as the team’s new coach:

The West Seattle YMCA Dolphins Swim Team is excited to introduce new Head Coach Craig Mallery. Craig was the Head Coach of the UPAC Sharks through 2014. He was also the head coach of Seattle University’s men’s and women’s teams from 1999-2012. While at Seattle U, he developed and led the team to reach NCAA Division 1 level status. He has also been a head age group coach for club teams and has experience as a Masters level coach. Coach Craig has twice been named National Coach of the Year, as well as Conference Coach of the Year in 2011. He was a collegiate level swimmer at Boston University. Coach Craig’s full profile can be read here.

This year’s season is just getting underway, and the West Seattle Dolphins would like to invite all interested youth to come to the YMCA for a swim team tryout. Tryouts assess readiness and allow swimmers to be placed in the appropriate group/level. Swim team members, both boys and girls, range in age from 6 to 18. Coach Craig puts the kids to a challenging workout several times a week, but there is rarely a complaint because they enjoy the work out, exercise and camaraderie. The swim meets are fun, exciting, and competitive. They take place in Seattle and around Puget Sound, giving the kids a great opportunity to experience swim clubs of all types and sizes.

Swimming is a healthy activity that can be enjoyed all through life. Many of our current and former team members have formed strong friendships and gone on to swim competitively at college. If you would like to register your child or get more information about the West Seattle YMCA Dolphins, please go to this link.

Seattle U Swimmer October 17, 2015 (10:18 pm)

Craig is a fantastic coach! He will no doubt be a fantastic asset to the Y Dolphins team. Hope some swimmers out there join up!

Hormel October 18, 2015 (12:57 pm)

Awesome hire, this will be great for the WSY Dolphins swim team. Best of luck Craig!

CMP October 19, 2015 (8:09 am)

If Craig can convince the Y to lower the pool temp to a reasonable and safe 83 degrees, I will be one happy swimmer!

Near Alki October 19, 2015 (9:09 am)

Interesting comment CMP…what temp does the Y keep the pool at?

Joleen October 19, 2015 (10:03 am)

We keep the pool at 85 degrees.

CMP October 19, 2015 (10:54 am)

It’s way too warm, but so is every pool in Seattle it seems. If you get your heart rate over 120 (which competitive swimmers do once they finish warm up), that water feels much warmer and it’s really uncomfortable when you can’t cool down easily. I sweat for a good 45 minutes after showering, walking home in the cold, and then walking to the bus in my work clothes. Still hot. It’s like running in sweats and a hat when it’s 90+ degrees outside. Unpleasant.

Joleen October 19, 2015 (1:03 pm)

We set it at 85 degrees to try to meet the needs of all of our users – a median between the wishes of our youth, adults, lap swimmers, water exercisers, etc.

Rosalie Miller October 19, 2015 (3:06 pm)

My daughter swims on the team and she tells me that Craig is easy to talk to as a coach and she feels she is growing as a swimmer with his constructive feedback. Thank you Craig!

CMP October 19, 2015 (3:14 pm)

It’s much easier to warm up (by way of hot showers, hot tub, steam room,sauna) than it is to cool down so I’ll leave that as my final comment. I just hope that when/if the facilities are remodeled that the showers remain temperature controlled so I can try to cool off that way.

Adam Cox October 19, 2015 (6:06 pm)

Yes, *please* lower the temperature! 83 at the max. Good swimming temperature is really about 80-81. race pool at 79.

A lower temperature will force the adult aqua-aerobics classes to work harder to stay warm! It will be good for them! :)

I think the fact that almost all of the pools in the Seattle area are so warm is why there’s such a small community of competitive swimmers here. It’s just not pleasant to train at such high temperatures. There are only two places that I know have reasonable temperatures — UW Husky Masters and the Seattle U. But getting there is such a pain.

Stella October 19, 2015 (6:27 pm)

My 3 girls swim there and we love the team and the coaches! Craig has been a fabulous addition to the team and Melanie, our assistant coach, is doing a great job with younger swimmers. They are both very approachable and take the time to know each child individually… not just as swimmers but also as kids/teens. After only a few weeks with the team, it’s impressive to see how well Coach Craig knows them and addresses their concerns. It’s a small team, a great community to be a part of. Go Dolphins!

AFR October 19, 2015 (8:22 pm)

We joined the Y Dolphins team this year and have really enjoyed it. The coaches are supportive and instructional. They have fun but also learn a ton about working as a team and being competitive without being intimidating. I would highly recommend the program!