The excitement didn’t stop with the clinic. That same weekend, we hosted the SAY Discovery 2026 Meet, welcoming 449 swimmers from our Y and YMCAs across the region.
Two-time Olympian Phoebe Bacon spent two days coaching our swimmers while we hosted 449 athletes for the SAY Discovery 2026 Meet.
It’s not every day you get to swim alongside an Olympian. On October 2 and 3, the Summit YMCA welcomed Phoebe Bacon for a two-day clinic with our SEALS Competitive Swim Team, and it’s one our swimmers won’t forget.
The clinic kicked off Friday evening with our Senior and Senior Prep groups, then continued Saturday morning with sessions for our 11 to 13 year olds, 9 and 10 year olds, and 8 and unders. Every age group got time in the water with Phoebe, from our most experienced swimmers to our youngest. Between sessions, she sat down with SEALS parents in the auditorium for a Q&A about training, balance, and what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Thank you, Phoebe, for sharing your time, your energy and your story with our swimmers and families.
For a young swimmer, seeing someone who started out just like them, in a pool just like ours, makes big goals feel a lot more real.
The excitement didn’t stop with the clinic. That same weekend, we hosted the SAY Discovery 2026 Meet, welcoming 449 swimmers from our Y and YMCAs across the region.
An event this big takes a village. Thank you to the visiting YMCA teams who made the trip, to the families and volunteers who cheered from the stands and helped on deck, and to SEALS coaches Pat Collins and Jamie Sobel for leading the way.
Long after the results are posted, what our swimmers will remember is how it felt. When young people have the chance to learn from an Olympian, compete with peers from across the region, and be cheered on by their families and community, they build more than swimming skills. They build confidence, discipline, and a sense of belonging that carries well beyond the pool.
Whether your child is just learning to swim or chasing their own Olympic dream, there’s a place for them at the Summit Area YMCA.
Interested in joining the SEALS? Learn about tryouts, practice groups and how to get started.
