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Our Mission

​ To promote competitive artistic swimming for swimmers of all ages, serving the Northern Colorado area while maintaining a positive and healthy program for the whole swimmer and supporting each girl’s individual goals.

Our Team

We are a YMCA team dedicated to creating a positive space where people of all ages can learn the art of artistic (synchronized) swimming in the Northern Colorado region (Johnstown, Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor area).  The goal of our club is to give an opportunity to team members to pursue their goals in the sport – from building fitness to competing at the recreational, National and Olympic levels. Each member of the Northern Colorado Orcas is supported, valued, and taught to grow in the sport. Our team values emphasize teamwork, discipline, responsibility, acceptance, and leadership. NCO currently has swimmers at all different ages and skill levels. 

The Season

Our season runs from September through mid-may for novices and intermediates while the age group swimmers continue through the end of June. Artistic swimming meets are held approximately once a month, beginning in December and ending in Early May for the Novice and Intermediate groups, and Early July for the competitive swimmers. The number and type of meets attended will vary depending on the age and skill level of the swimmer. Our team competes at the local, regional, zone and national levels. Local meets are held in the Denver metro area as well as in Ft. Collins, Loveland, Colorado Springs and Boulder. We are part of the North Zone and compete at the North Zone Championships in the youth, and junior levels. The locations of both zone and national meets rotate around the country. Usually, all swimmers compete in local meets. Generally, the first, second, and third place winners at Associations and Regionals qualify to attend the next level of competition. The more skilled a swimmer becomes, the greater opportunity there is for travel. Artistic swimming meets generally include figure, technical routine and free routine competitions. The swimmers also perform at a fall and spring watershow where they can show off their routines to friends and family.

Organization Structure

The YMCA Orcas participate in the Rocky Mountain Synchronized Swimming Association (RMSSA) and USA Artistic Swimming (USAAS). The team is a part of USAAS North Zone Region D. USAAS is conducted utilizing the current International Swimming Federation (FINA) rules. RMSSA is conducted utilizing the current USA Artistic Swimming rules. The Orcas participate in state, regional, zone,and national competitions. USAAS groups are divided as follows:

  • Novice - Beginner level

  • Intermediate - Recreational level

  • 12 and Under Age Group - Competitive level (swimmers 12 years old or younger)

  • Youth - Competitive level (swimmers 13-15 years old)

  • Junior - Competitive level (swimmers 15-19 years old)

  • Senior - Competitive level(swimmers 15+ years old) Masters - Any level (swimmers 20+ years old)

* The term “Age-group” in  refers to 12 and Under Age Group, Youth, Junior, and Senior. USAAS age divisions for Novice and Intermediate are as follows:

  • 8 and under

  • 9 - 10 years old

  • 11 - 12 years old

  • 13 -15 years old

  • 16 - 19 years old 

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