From First-Timers to Flawless: How Foundation YMCA of Wilson Turned Their First Swim Season Into a Splashing Success
Executive Summary:
Running a summer swim team is about more than just races—it's about creating an enjoyable, stress-free experience for swimmers, parents, and volunteers. For Erin Brown, the Aquatics Director at the Foundation YMCA of Wilson in North Carolina, launching their first-ever summer swim team was a monumental task. With no established swim culture in town and no other teams to compete against, Erin faced challenges from day one. But after adopting Swimmingly, the team’s chaotic beginnings turned into seamless meets, fostering excitement among swimmers and simplifying volunteer roles.
Key Results
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50% Reduction in Setup Time: The transition to a paperless system halved meet preparation time.
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Increased Volunteer Engagement: Simplified roles made it easier for parents to participate confidently.
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Instant Results for 100+ Swimmers: Real-time results kept swimmers engaged and motivated.
About Erin Brown and the Foundation YMCA of Wilson Swim Team
Erin Brown isn’t just the Aquatics Director—she’s a pioneer of Wilson’s first recreational summer swim team. In a town where ball sports dominate, Erin saw an opportunity to introduce swimming as a fun, community-focused activity. With a brand-new indoor competitive pool—the first of its kind in Wilson—Erin was determined to create a memorable experience for over 100 young swimmers, many of whom had never competed before. But managing the logistics of swim meets in a town unfamiliar with competitive swimming was no easy feat.
The Challenge: Building from the Ground Up in a Non-Swimming Town
Before Swimmingly, Erin faced the daunting task of organizing swim meets with limited resources and no established swim community to lean on. Without a local league, the team held two internal time trials, but even those presented hurdles. Volunteers struggled with basic swimming concepts—timers didn’t know the difference between 25-yard and 50-yard races, and swimmers were unfamiliar with meet protocols like diving off the blocks.
The first meet experienced setup issues that delayed the start, and without a streamlined system in place, managing timing and results became overwhelming. The absence of a scorekeeper and reliance on manual processes added to the chaos. Erin knew that to make swimming a staple in Wilson, something had to change.
"We didn’t have anybody to swim against, and we faced some bumps with our first time trial. Plus, there's not much swimming knowledge here—people didn’t know what a 25 or a 50 was!"
The Solution: Streamlining Meets for Maximum Impact
When Erin introduced Swimmingly to the Foundation YMCA of Wilson, the transformation was immediate. The app’s intuitive interface eliminated paper-heavy processes, and its ability to connect multiple devices made timing and scoring seamless. Volunteers, even those new to swimming, found the platform easy to use—one timer per lane was all that was needed, drastically simplifying meet operations.
Key Features That Made a Difference:
- Real-Time Results Display: The Swimmingly Fan app allowed swimmers and parents to view instant results, fostering excitement and immediate feedback.
- Effortless Device Connectivity: The seamless synchronization between devices during the huddle ensured smooth communication and timing accuracy across all lanes.
- Simplified Meet Setup: Erin could prepare meets well in advance, reducing last-minute stress and allowing more focus on the swimmers.
"I love that I only need one timer in each lane, and the lack of paper is game-changing. Watching the kids gather around to see their results on the iPad was priceless."
The Results: Smooth Meets, Engaged Swimmers, and Happy Volunteers
By the second time trial, the Foundation YMCA of Wilson team had mastered their meet operations. Setup times were cut in half, and volunteers felt confident in their roles. The seamless connection between smartphones and instant result displays kept swimmers engaged and motivated. Parents, who once felt overwhelmed by the idea of volunteering, found the process simple and enjoyable.
The biggest win? The kids' excitement. Many of them had never swum competitively before, and seeing their names and times immediately after their races boosted their confidence and made them eager to improve. Erin even expressed interest in bringing Swimmingly to the high school level.
Key Improvements:
- Volunteer Engagement: Simplified roles made it easier for parents to step in and help.
- Time Efficiency: Setup times were reduced by 50%, and meets ran without delays.
- Enhanced Swimmer Experience: Real-time results kept over 100 swimmers excited and engaged.
"Once we got through the beginning bumps, the meet ran so smoothly. I want to use Swimmingly for our local high school now too—that’s how seamless it was."
The Verdict: A Game-Changer for New and Growing Swim Teams
Would Erin recommend Swimmingly to other teams? Absolutely.
"My advice to anyone considering Swimmingly? Don’t wait. Get the training done early and dive right in—it’s a game-changer."
If your swim team is looking to streamline meet management, engage swimmers, and simplify volunteer roles, Swimmingly is the perfect solution.
Swim Meets, Made Simple
📧 Questions? Email team@swimmingly.app
📅 Ready to streamline your meets? Book a demo today!