Chicago Swedish Fish Masters Swim Team
Building relationships through swimming
The Chicago Swedish Fish is a friendly, fun Chicago swim club located on the north side! Adult swimmers of all ages and abilities are welcome.
Swim Practice Information
Practices are split between Galter LifeCenter and various pools in throughout Chicago’s northside. Are you considering joining us for a practice? Learn about how to get involved.
Spring Practice Schedule
Location:
Uplift Community High School (900 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60640)
Dates: April 14 - May 28, 2026
Tuesday - 6:00-7:00 p.m. - Uplift High School
Thursday - 6:00-7:00 p.m. - Uplift High School
Sunday* - 9:00-10:00 a.m. - Uplift High School
*No practice on Sunday, May 24 (Memorial Day Weekend)
Galter LifeCenter Practices
Location: Galter LifeCenter (5157 N Francisco Ave, Chicago, IL 60625)
Dates: Year-Round
Mondays - 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Tuesdays - 5:45-6:45 a.m.
Wednesdays - Noon-1:00 p.m.
Thursdays - 5:45-6:45 a.m.
Fridays - Noon-1:00 p.m.
Saturdays - 6:45-7:45 a.m.
Summer Sunday Swim Practices
Location: Harrer Pool (6250 Dempster St, Morton Grove, Illinois 60053)
Dates: May 31 – August 9
Sundays 7:15-8:30 a.m. (Facility opens at 7:00 a.m.)
Summer swimming is free for all Swedish Fish thanks to the generosity of those who donated during our annual fundraising drive. The team will have 3 dedicated 50m lanes for coached practices at this outdoor facility.
Team Events & Competitions
The Chicago Swedish Fish is one of the largest and most accomplished Illinois Master’s swim teams. We’ve ranked in the top 3 at the Illinois State Championships in many recent years, including a first-place finish in 2019.
Swim Meets
SWED Team Meets are those at which Swedish Fish coaches are on deck, and team relays are organized. The team participates in 3 team meets between the end of January through mid-April. There are also several other USMS-sanctioned meets throughout the region if you are interested in additional competitive opportunities.
2026 ILMSA SWED Team Meets
Evanston Masters Invite
January 25 - Evanston Township High School, Evanston, IL
Swedish Fish March Madness
March 14-15 - UIC Flames Natatorium, Chicago, IL
ILMSA State Championship
April 10-12, 2025 - FMC Natatorium, Westmont, IL
Open Water Events
Open Water Swim CHICAGO Series
When: TBD June through August (check back for exact dates)
What: OW swim clinic, swim-on-your-own, and competitive aquathlons (750m & 1500m swim options + 5K run)Where: Ohio Street Beach, Chicago, IL
Cost: $23 for clinic or SOYO, $30 for aquathlon (with prices rising two weeks before each event)
Great for: Beginners, anyone looking for a supported practice environment
OWS Chicago conducts open water events once a month throughout the summer leading up to the Chicago Triathlon in late August. These are excellent opportunities to tune-up open water skills and/or practice in race-like conditions in a safe, supported (i.e., lifeguards/coaches, big buoys, transition area/gear check) OWS environment.
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Wilmette Open Water (WOW) Swim Race
When: Saturday, June 13, 7:00am start
What: 1-mile swimWhere: Gillson Beach, Wilmette, IL
Cost: $76.54 (includes fees)
Great for: A chill(y) swim for anyone itching for an early season race and who likes a brisk swim in the morning - water temp will probably be around 58-60 F.
Yes, even in mid-June Lake Michigan will still be quite chilly. Yes, you may wear a wetsuit. The event is well-organized; Gillson Beach is swank [read: there are showers and a beach house, so you can clean up and dry off properly after swimming]; and the beach towel you get as participant swag is extremely nice.
--When: Sunday, July 19, 7:30am
What: 1-mile (timed but non-competitive) swim, 2-mile swim, sprint & Olympic distance aquathlonsWhere: Three Oaks Recreation Area, Crystal Lake, IL
Cost: $55 - $80 depending on event (prices go up at the end of May)
Great for: The whole family (there's a kids race), folks who love to run as well as swim, and anyone looking to test out a multi-sport event as well as anyone looking for an OWS that's *not* in Lake Michigan.
Just outside of Chicago, this a nice open water event with several options, including aquathlons and relays.
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When: Sunday, July 26, 7:00am
What: 1K, 2K, and 4K swimsWhere: Dempster Beach, Evanston, IL
Cost: $50 (1K) / $80 (2K) / $90 (4K)
Great for: Beginners, experienced swimmers, anyone who wants to have a fun OWS experience and enjoy an early morning party on the beach as well as spectators who love open water events
Well-organized, low-key event at a convenient location just north of Chicago's northern border. This is a competitive, timed event and there will be some speedy swimmers in the water. This event has a great vibe. It's ideal for those who are new to open water swim races and/or those who stress about water conditions. The small, rectangular course has plenty of buoys that are easy to see, and the 1K race is only one lap around. Both swimsuit and wetsuit divisions are available and you can even switch your distance or wetsuit option day-of in case conditions shift suddenly. Packet pickup the day before is at a brewery (Sketchbook Evanston), and there's good swag.
--Swim Across America: Chicago Open Water Swim **SWIM OR SWED SUPPORT**
When: Saturday, August 8, 8:15 p.m.
What: 1/2 mile, 1 mile, 2 mile (untimed, non-competitive), and SAA Miracle Mile (competitive 1-mile race)Where: Ohio Street Beach, Chicago, IL
Cost: $50 for all non-competitive events, $150 for Miracle Mile; all include a $500 fundraising minimum
Great for: Swimming with and supporting fellow Swedish Fish; anyone who wants a non-competitive, supported OWS; swimmers tuning up for Big Shoulders, supporting a great cause!
Swim Across America (SAA) raises money for cancer research, and each year Jake Edie leads the Swedish Fish SAA team. Several Swedish Fish always dive in for this terrific event, and others will be cheering from the beach. Stay tuned for more information about joining the Swedish Fish team. If you have questions, reach out to Jake at jakeedie@hotmail.com
--Swim to the Moon Open Water Swim Festival
When: Sunday, August 16, 6:30am start for 10K & 15K, other events start 7:30am and later
What: .5 miles, 1.2 mile, 2.4 mile, 5 K, 10K, and 15K swimsWhere: Pinckney Recreation Area - Hiland Chain of Lakes, Hell, MI
Cost: $140 - $205, depending on event; prices go up after April 30; registration fee is decreased if you have a current USMS membership
Great for: More experienced open water swimmers, anyone who wants a mini-swimcation, swimming in a beautiful location
Notes: Hell, MI is near Ann Arbor and about a 4-hour drive from Chicago. A handful of SWEDs have done this in years past and have given rave reviews. SWED swimmers often coordinate trip planning and logistics.
--Big Shoulders Open Water Swim Classic **SWIM OR SWED SUPPORT**
When: Saturday, September 12, 8:00am
What: 2.5K and 5K solo swims, 5K relay...and the premier beach party of the summer!Where: Ohio Street Beach, Chicago, IL
Cost: Individual registration is closed, but there are still relay spots available - $130/swimmer
Great for: Supporting your teammates and hanging out with the funnest fish in the city!
Every year we have several SWED swimmers participating and we set up a sizable "camp/home base" to provide swimmer support and (let's be honest) Swedish Fish beach party central. This is Chicago's premier open water swim in Chicago, and our friends and swim colleagues at Chicago Masters (UIC) help make it a fantastic event.
--When: Sunday, September 20, 2026
What: 1-mi and 2-mi swims on a looped courseWhere: Chicago River, parallel to Wacker Drive; start and finish are near Clark St.
Cost: $100 registration fee (if selected) and fundraising goal of $1,250 (1-mile swimmers) or $1,750 (2-mile swimmers)
Great for: A unique Chicagoland swim experience and supporting ALS research.
Swimmers must apply to participate by May 8 and have documented previous open water swim experience.
Our History
Learn about the history of the Chicago Swedish Fish U.S. Masters Swim Club.
Team Merchandise
Get your team gear, such as swimsuits, swim caps, and sweatshirts, parkas and more.
Make a Donation
Support the Chicago Swedish Fish and the Chicago swimming community by helping us raise funds.
Contact us
Complete the form below to request to receive team emails or to ask questions about the team. A team representative will contact you within 5-7 days. You can also contact us at chicagoswedishfish@gmail.com. If you have a specific question regarding Masters Swim practices at Galter LifeCenter, please contact Coach Peter Marcy at pmarcy@schosp.org.