Swim Group Structure and Outlines
Our year-round program is made up of competitive swimmers of all levels of ability from novice 5 year olds, to Jr. Olympic qualifiers, to developing National qualifiers. In order to train these athletes to their fullest potential, our swim program has been developed to challenge each swimmer's talents and capabilities. The coaching staff recognizes the importance of children learning the correct swimming skills in an enjoyable atmosphere and we strive to make swimming fun and challenging. Our program is currently divided into the following groups based on the swimmer's age and ability and experience.
12 and younger practice groups
Bronze 1 (Swim Guide)
This is the entry level to our program for novice swimmers
age 10 and under. A free, two-practice trial is necessary
before determining admittance of new swimmers.
Entry requirements are that children must be at least 5 years old
and be able to swim two lengths of the pool (50 yards) freestyle while
side breathing as well as two lengths of the pool (50 yards) swimming
backstroke.
Swimmers must also be able
to perform proper breaststroke OR dolphin/butterfly kicking.
A certification showing completion of Level 5 of our swim lessons
will also suffice. All
swimmers must have the desire and willingness to learn all four
competitive strokes and to compete in at least one swim meet per month.
Emphasis at this level is placed on teaching the four strokes through
drills and games that make swimming fun.
The focus of this group
is to refine and continue to develop the swimmer’s skills.
Practices are one hour in length and
are available 5 days a week. Swimmers should aim to attend a minimum of
3 of the offered practice sessions per week. Swim meets are
typically calendared once a month throughout the year. Swimmers in
this group will be required to have the following gear: Team Cap, ORCA
team suit, practice suit, Goggles, Mesh Gear Bag, Kick Board, Pull Buoy
and training fins.
Team Gear
Bronze 2
Swimmers eligible to be considered for this group have achieved 8 & Under “Red” times swum in an
SCS sanctioned swim meet in three of the five different events (Fly,
Back, Breast, Free or IM) of any distance. Swimmers should have
also swum 50’s of all strokes as well as a 100 Freestyle of 1:49.99 or
faster and a 100 IM of 1:59.99 or faster in a sanctioned meet.
Please note that meeting these minimum guidelines does not mean a
swimmer is automatically moved into this group; it only means the
swimmer is eligible to be considered for the group. Group moves
are typically only done at the beginning of each season in September and
March. However,
special exceptions may be considered by the coaching staff.
Practices
are one hour in length and are available 5 days a week; M-F. Swimmers must attend at least three of the offered
practice sessions per week to remain in the group. Swimmers in this group will be
required to have the following gear: Team Cap, ORCA team suit, practice
suit, Goggles, Mesh Gear Bag, Kick Board, Pull Buoy and training fins.
Team Gear
Bronze 3
Swimmers eligible to be considered for this group have achieved
8 and Under 'Blue" times swum in an
SCS sanctioned swim meet in three of the five different events (Fly,
Back, Breast, Free or IM) of any distance of 50 or more yards or meters. Swimmers should have
also swum the 200 free and 200 IM in a sanctioned meet.
Please note that meeting these minimum guidelines does not mean a
swimmer is automatically moved into this group; it only means the
swimmer is eligible to be considered for the group. Group moves
are typically only done at the beginning of each season in September and
March. However,
special exceptions may be considered by the coaching staff.
Practices
are one hour in length and are available 5 days a week; M-F. Swimmers must attend at least three of the offered
practice sessions per week to remain in the group. Swimmers in this group will be
required to have the following gear: Team Cap, ORCA team suit, practice
suit, Goggles, Mesh Gear Bag, Kick Board, Pull Buoy and training fins.
Team Gear
Silver 1
This group is split in two; an entry level group to our program for swimmers
aged 11-12, and a group for existing swimmers of our program who have
not yet achieved 11-12 Red time standards. A free, two-practice trial is necessary
before determining admittance of new swimmers.
Entry requirements are that children must be at least 11 years old
and be able to swim two lengths of the pool (50 yards) freestyle while
side breathing as well as two lengths of the pool (50 yards) swimming
backstroke.
Swimmers must also be able
to perform proper breaststroke OR dolphin/butterfly kicking.
A certification showing completion of Level 5 of our swim lessons
will also suffice. All
swimmers must have the desire and willingness to learn all four
competitive strokes and to compete in at least one swim meet per month.
Emphasis at this level is placed on teaching the four strokes through
drills and games that make swimming fun.
The focus of this group
is to refine and continue to develop the swimmer’s skills.
Practices are one hour in length and
are available 5 days a week. Swimmers should aim to attend a minimum of
3 of the offered practice sessions per week. Swim meets are
typically calendared once a month throughout the year. Swimmers in
this group will be required to have the following gear: Team Cap, ORCA
team suit, practice suit, Goggles, Mesh Gear Bag, Kick Board, Pull Buoy
and training fins.
Team Gear
Silver 2
Swimmers
eligible to be considered for entry into this group are 11 or 12
years old who have achieved 11-12 "Red" times standards swum in an
SCS sanctioned swim meet in three of the five different events (Fly,
Back, Breast, Free or IM) at any distance. Please note that meeting these
minimum guidelines does not mean a swimmer is automatically moved into
this group; it only means the swimmer is eligible to be considered for
the group. Group moves are typically only done at the beginning of
each season in September and March. However, special exceptions may be considered by the
coaching staff.
Practices are 1.5 hours in length and are offered six days a week;
M-F evenings and Saturday mornings on non-meet weekends. Although
we would like swimmers to strive to attend all practice sessions, swimmers in this group will be required to attend a
MINIMUM of three practices a week to remain in the group.
Swimmers in this group
will be required to have the following gear: Team Cap, ORCA team suit,
practice suit, Goggles, Mesh Gear Bag, Kick Board, Pull Buoy, training
fins and TYR Catalyst hand paddles (Green or Yellow for girls, Yellow or
Red for boys).
Team Gear
Silver
3
Swimmers eligible to be considered for entry into this group are 11 or 12 years old who have achieved 11-12 "Blue" times standards swum in an SCS sanctioned swim meet in three of the five different events (Fly, Back, Breast, Free or IM) at any distance. Please note that meeting these minimum guidelines does not mean a swimmer is automatically moved into this group; it only means the swimmer is eligible to be considered for the group. Group moves are typically only done at the beginning of each season in September and March. However, special exceptions may be considered by the coaching staff. Practices periods 1.5 hours in length and are offered six days a week; M-F evenings and Saturday mornings on non-meet weekends. Swimmers should strive to attend all practice sessions. Swimmers in this group will be required to have the following gear: Team Cap, ORCA team suit, practice suit, Goggles, Mesh Gear Bag, Kick Board, Pull Buoy, training fins, TYR Catalyst hand paddles (Green or Yellow for girls, Yellow Red for boys) and a Finis Swim Snorkel (NOT the Freestyle snorkel).
Swimmers eligible for this group are 13 years
and older. Entry requirements are that swimmers must be able to
swim four lengths of the pool (100 yards) freestyle while side breathing
and four lengths of the pool (100 yards) swimming backstroke.
Swimmers must also at least have knowledge and prior instruction of
breaststroke OR dolphin/butterfly kicking.
All swimmers must have the desire and willingness to learn all
four competitive strokes and to compete in at least one swim meet per
month. Emphasis at this level is placed on teaching the four
strokes through various drills, as well as conditioning the athletes to
become better competitive swimmers. Practices are one and one half hour
in length and are available six days a week; M-F weeknights and Saturday
mornings on non-meet weekends. Swim meets are
typically calendared once a month throughout the year. Swimmers in this
group will be required to have the following gear: Team Cap, ORCA team
suit, practice suit, Goggles, Mesh Gear Bag, Kick Board, Pull Buoy and
training fins.
Team Gear
Gold 2
Swimmers
eligible to be considered for entry into this group are 13 years and
older who have achieved "Red" time standards swum in a USA Swimming
sanctioned meet in three of the five different
Gold 3
Swimmers
eligible to be considered for entry into this group are 13 years and
older who have achieved "Blue" time standards swum in a USA Swimming
sanctioned meet in three of the five different
Senior
Our most
advanced group, these swimmers are 15 years or older and must have a
very serious attitude, dedication and work ethic aimed at achieving peak
swimming performance. The swimmer should have times swum in a USS
sanctioned swim meet that equal or better summer or winter ‘JO’ times
for their age in two different strokes (Fly, Back, Breast, Free or IM)
of any distance, as well as at least one Sectional time. Please
note that meeting these minimum guidelines does not mean a swimmer is
automatically moved into this group; it only means the swimmer is
eligible to be considered for the group. Swim practices are two or
more hours in length and offered a minimum of six times a week.
Morning practices will be added during the peak training segments of
each season. Dry-land practices are also offered at least two days a week.
Swimmers should show the effort and intent to come to all
practice sessions. Swimmers goals should include qualifying for
Sectionals in multiple
