Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Dylan Alt of Algona, a sophomore-to-be for the Dodgers, is a Fort Dodge Swim Club record holder.

Fort Dodge officially has its own USA swim program.

The Fort Dodge Swim Club recently confirmed its partnership with FAST — the Fort Dodge Area Swim Team — as a nine-year arrangement with the ACAC (Ames Cyclone Aquatics Club) program came to an end.

Joe Plane, the Iowa Central Community College men’s and women’s head swim coach, will be the FAST owner, head coach and director. Ashley Beaumont and Shaylyn DeYoung also serve as coaches.

The Fort Dodge Swim Club will be the booster group for the FAST program.

“After nine years, we’ve shown that competitive swimming in Fort Dodge is here to stay,” Plane said. “Our kids have enjoyed being a part of the Ames team, but they have been wanting their own identity being able to represent Fort Dodge (on its own).

“We believe the name change will benefit our recruiting efforts, making it obvious that we are a Fort Dodge (area) program.”

Plane confirmed the rules and regulations for interested participants remain unchanged. The 2022-23 season begins Sept. 6, with five different skill groups offered on the organization’s new website: beginner, intermediate, junior, pre-senior and senior for 12-and-under, 13U and 14U.

“As long as they can swim one lap unassisted, they can join,” Plane added.

Cost is $50 per student for a one-year base membership. Monthly dues range from $65 per for beginners to $105 for senior athletes. USA Swimming registration is required for all participants before activities begin.

A parent/guardian meeting is scheduled for Sept. 7 at the Fort Dodge Senior High pool, beginning at 6 p.m.

Practice are slated for 6-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, depending on the group and skill level.

“We’re excited about the increased tie to the FDSH high school program with the name change,” Plane said. “We will continue to help better prepare kids for high school swimming and beyond.

“Other than the colors, logo and name, the team will look essentially the same (as when it was ACAC-FD).”

The FAST mission statement, according to its website, is “to promote competitive swimming to the area youth in order to teach healthy lifestyle choices as well as goal setting, hard work and dedication to the task at hand. It is our goal that these lessons will prepare our members to be more successful adults.”

Fort Dodge currently shares its high school swim program with students from St. Edmond, Humboldt, Southeast Valley, Webster City, Eagle Grove and Algona (boys).

For more information, visit www.swimfastfd.com, or call (515) 574-9152.