The purpose of FAST is to provide swimmers in Florence and the surrounding area an opportunity to participate in organized swimming. The FAST program accommodates beginners to advanced swimmers.
FAST is a member of the South Carolina Local Swimming Committee (SCLSC). The SCLSC is the governing body for competitive swimming in South Carolina. The SCLSC is a member of USA Swimming which is the governing body of competitive swimming in the United States. All members of FAST are registered with USA Swimming. Since 1995, the team's swimmers have won over ninety state, sectional, and zone championships.
Team members who so desire attend various meets around the state. Different level of meets are held throughout the state and neighboring states. Swimmers are encouraged to participate in meets throughout the season.
Practices are held at Francis Marion University and the Florence YMCA throughout the short course season. The YMCA holds practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the developmental swimmers and practices at Francis Marion University are generally five evenings a week. During the summer the team holds morning practices as well as evening. There are currently over eighty members on the team ranging in age from six to eighteen. The number of active swimmers fluctuates. Many choose to swim all year. Others choose to swim during the winter season (August through April) and then take the summer off. Several team members have won state championships in recent years.
Swimmers can develop a lot of skills in an organized swimming program. These skills include time management, developing an appreciation for an active lifestyle, developing a positive self-image, learning how to work as part of a team, developing social skills from interaction with other children and adults, learning about managing success and disappointment, learning about fair play and being a good sport, and learning respect for others. Children reap the benefits of swimming long after their participation ends.
Join us for some fun!