The Columbia Falls Swim Team (CFST) is the Flathead Valley's only summer league swim team.  CFST is proudly represented by approximately 70 Flathead Valley athletes from the ages of 5 to 18 with skills sets ranging from novice to national level athletes.  Our focus is progressive aquatic skills development, nutrition, character development and life skills.  Ultimately, as participants develop these skills, they will become safer and better swimmers.

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Why swimming?  According to the American Red Cross, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children between the age of 1 and 14.  Living in the Flathead Valley, our children are exposed to many bodies of water and our valley contains some of the deepest Glacier fed lakes in the world that should be approached with respect and understanding.  Quite simply, children who possess a firm knowledge base and skill set of swimming, not only can save themselves, but also are far more equipped to recognize the inherent dangers of water and not become a statistic.

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Benefits of Swimming:

• Swimming helps kids learn to set goals and work to achieve them.

• Swimmers tend to be academic achievers.

• Swimming builds confidence and self-reliance.

• Swimming is the only sport that can save your life.

• Swimming is one of the few sports you can do throughout your lifetime.

• Swimming is the best possible exercise.  It works all the body's muscles and burns the most calories.

• Swimming makes children better athletes.

• Having a great relationship with the water opens up a whole host of other water sports and opportunities.

• Swimming well provides a lifetime of health and fitness.

• Swimming is the first lessons your child needs.  They are the only lessons that could save your child's life.

• Being able to swim 400 yards continuously lowers the chance of ever drowning exponentially.

• Being able to swim 400 yards continuously means you can: scuba dive, snorkel, become a lifeguard, compete in triathlons, play water polo, teach swimming and much more!

• Learning to swim is an ability, like walking, that is part of growing up.

• Swimming teaches the life lessons of sports and sportsmanship which include learning to deal with winning and losing as well as working with officials, teammates and coaches.

 

We hope you will consider joining the Columbia Falls Swim Team.  There are two things we ask of your swimmer:

1. Be at least 5 years old and be able to swim the length of the pool (even if it's via doggy-paddle).

2. Attend at least two meets (one can be our home meet in Columbia Falls).

 

What can you expect when joining the Columbia Falls Swim Team?  Be prepared for hard work, family fun, travel, excitement, camping, team involvement, hanging out with your friends and more!  Keep in mind that this does not have to take up your whole summer!  You do as much as you prefer!

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Our team swims in the Montana Federation’s Western Division.  The season typically runs from May through the first weekend of August.  We travel to Cut Bank, Chester, Plains, Hamilton, Shelby, Conrad and Fort Benton. In addition, we host a meet in Columbia Falls.  The state meet culminates the year and alternates location annually between the western division and the eastern division.