About The Swedish Fish

The Chicago Swedish Fish (SWED) is an adult swim team with members ranging in age and level, from novice to competitive to triathletes and anyone else who chooses swimming as a form of exercise.

The team formed in 2006 with just a few swimmers and has since grown to 100+ members today. The team is led by Head Coach Billy Cordero and his coaching staff that includes a former Division I swimmer and other avid swimmers and fitness professionals. The Swedish Fish coaching staff is recognized as one of the best in the state, winning ILMSA Coach of the Year Awards in 2014, 2015 and 2018. For the last six years, the team has placed in the top 5 at the annual State Meet. In 2019 the team won the Illinois State Masters Swim meet.

The Swedish Fish had humble beginnings. Created by Coach Matt Wever in 2006, the team began with a handful of swimmers, some of whom were new to the sport and to competitive swimming.  Our name at the time was the Galter Swim Club, given our affiliation with the Galter LifeCenter where we practiced – and continue to - and where Coach Matt was a Director.  The team’s talented coaches focused on skill building, technique, endurance and all we needed to learn and improve, but that was not all. From the beginning there has been a commitment to building a community: we are a supportive, encouraging group that celebrates the lives of its members and comforts each other when needed.

The team offers weekly dryland training sessions and regularly holds clinics focusing on technique improvement and stroke development.

We are bonded together by our love of swimming, camaraderie and social events. If meeting some fantastic people, getting in a great workout and having fun while doing it sounds fantastic, we want to meet you!

Please come meet the Swedish Fish at any one of our practices listed on the schedule or contact us at chicagoswedishfish@gmail.com.