STINGRAYS COACH Steve Mainini (left) will be in charge of the Benicia Fall Swim Program.

Local youth swimmers looking to stay in shape and improve their skills should consider signing up for the Benicia Stingrays Fall Swim Program, which begins Aug. 31 at the James Lemos Swim Center.

The fall swim program is designed to further the development of stroke and turn techniques, and conditioning. A balance of teaching and conditioning will support swimmers needs in each practice.

“We want to reinforce everything we worked on throughout the summer swim season with the Stingrays,” said Stingrays coach Steve Mainini, who along with coach Joe Perelli will be running the program.

Practices are Mondays. Tuesdays and Wednesdays through Oct. 28. Practice times for 10-unders will be 4-5 p.m., with 11-overs practicing from 5-6 p.m.

Conditioning includes lap training where swimmers do sets on intervals, as well as other exercises.

“It’s not a swim-lesson program,” Mainini noted. “We work a lot on technique and conditioning because you really can’t be a strong swimmer until you learn the mechanics of the strokes. And we help build strength so swimmers can swim longer distances.”

A number of younger coaches will be assisting, including Jessica Scott, Skyelar Clouse, Alyssa Mainini and Jaymae Davis.

The cost of the fall program is $175 per swimmer.

All 8-under swimmers must be able to swim 25 yards freestyle and backstroke unassisted. All 9-over swimmers must be able to swim 50 yards freestyle and backstroke, as well as 25 yards of either the butterfly or breaststroke.

“It’s essential for those who want to compete in swimming to have those extra couple of months working out during the fall program,” coach Mainini said. “And it gives new swimmers a good introduction before competitive swimming starts next spring.”

For more information on the fall swim program, contact coach Mainini at mykneeknees@aol.com.

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