The Copper team is our entry level group primarily intended for grades Kg-4 (5-9 years) or anyone new to competitive swimming. In order to join the Copper team, the athlete needs to be able to swim freestyle and backstroke the length of the pool without stopping. They must also have basic knowledge of breaststroke/butterfly kick. The swimmer must be able to listen and learn in a group environment. Swimmers will work toward loving swimming, being coachable, 

This group will primarily work on strokes, starts and turns as well as some endurance swimming; speed is not a focus of this group. Introduction to competition and participation in swim meets is encouraged. On average the Copper team will swim 600-1200 meters/practice.

Goals for the Copper Team:

• Enjoy swimming/have fun
• Learn to be coachable and apply coach feedback
• Willing to try new things
• Become a considerate teammate

Gear required for each practice: Cap, goggles, fins, kickboard

Tryout Requirements: 25M Freestyle, 25M Backstroke, basic butterly kick

The Bronze Team is for developmental swimmers in grades 3-6 (ages 8-11). Technique is still the main focus, but athletes in this group will begin to work on increasing speed and endurance. To join this team, swimmers will need to be able to swim 50m in each stroke without stopping as well as complete appropriate turns and starts legally. Swimmers are expected to attend 3+ practices/week. Competition at swim meets is expected in this group. On average, the Bronze Team will swim 1200-2000 meters/practice. 

Goals for the Bronze Team:

• Learn about Championship Mindset and giving Best Effort
• Grow by pushing self out of comfort zone
• Connect with teammates to build trusting relationships
• Learn about strategies for success when nervous before races
• Begin setting goals and holding self accountable to them

Gear required for each practice: Cap, goggles, fins, kickboard, junior size pull buoy

Tryout Requirements: 50M Freestyle w/ side breathing, 25M Backstroke/Breaststroke/Butterfly

Silver

The Silver team is for competitive swimmers in grades 5-8 (10-13 years old). To join this team, athletes must begin training on a more committed basis (4+ practices/week). Training and Technique work are both key at this point in an athlete's development. Frequent competition at swim meets is required for this group. Athletes in this group start to train for the 200 Individual Medley and 500 Freestyle and will focus on increasing speed and endurance. On average the Silver team will swim 2500-3500 meters/practice, and the team will do dryland training 2x/week. 

Confidence/Character/Connection Goals for the Silver Team:

• Learn to show empathy for teammates by recognizing and appreciating the strengths of others
• Learn to combine positive self-talk and slow breathing for peak performance management. 
• Begin to differentiate controllables vs uncontrollables
• Show commitment and Loyalty to the team by cheering at meets, wearing team apparel, welcoming new teammates
• Solicit coach feedback before and after races at meets, as well as at practice
• Set specific goals and measure/track progress toward them
• Arrives on time to practice with required gear

Gear required for each practice: Cap, goggles, fins, kickboard, junior size pull buoy, snorkel, small hand paddles

Promotion Requirements: 10yo's with State Qual Times MAY move into this group depending on emoational maturity. Most 11-12yos will be in this group unless they are not able yet to complete Silver practices.

Tryout Requirements (if coming from another team): 4x100 Free @ 1:50, 4x100 IM @ 2:10, Legal Starts/Turns

Senior Gold

The Gold Team is for competitive swimmers ages 13-18 (or those turning 13 before their next championship meet). Swimmers are expected to attend practice daily (5+x/week). Additionally, swimmers should have a good understanding of goal setting and leadership, be able to accept constructive feedback from their coach, and follow good nutritional and sleep habits. Gold Team swimmers must attend recommended meets. Swimmers in this group are aiming for state level time cuts and higher. On average the workout will total 3500-5500 meters, and the Gold team will offer team dryland training 2-3x/week. 

Gear required for each practice: Cap, goggles, fins, kickboard, pull buoy, paddles, snorkel, parachute, band, backstroke nose plug (optional)

Promotion Requirements:  Swimming event expansion in SCY and LCM to: 50fr, 100fr, 200fr, 400/500fr, 100 fly, 100bk, 100br, 200IM

Tryout Requirements Gold (if coming from another team):  8x100M Free @ 1:40, 4x200M IM @ 4:00, 6x100 Kick @ 2:20

Expectations of the Senior Gold Group

• Strive to be competitive at the LSC level and prepare athletes for both competency at the State and movement into Senior Elite group (if so desired)
• To consistently improve commitment level and training/racing ability from season to season
• Attendance should improve, not decline as the athlete matures
• Training attitudes should be more productive and supportive as the athlete gets older
• Athletes must conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to actions needed to promote and support the goals of the team
• Attend all meets prescribed by coaching staff unless Senior coach agrees to absence
• Active in club fundraising
• Display ability to train appropriately for the athlete’s experience and stated goals
• Parental involvement in "wet side" decreases but increases on "dry side" during tenure

Goals for the Senior Gold Group:

• Learn best times and goal paces
• Actively improve distance per stroke
• Translate power and athleticism developed in dryland training to speed in the water
• Learn leadership skills 
• Swimmers will learn to actively monitor and improve their stroke technique
• Swimmer understands and takes responsibility for attendance and performance, work habits in practice and how these three relate to meet performance
• Practices good self-talk during all practices and meets
• Understands that focusing on the solutions is far better than focusing on problems

The Senior Elite Team is for athletes who have achieved Sectionals qual times (AG 13-14)/Senior Zones Qual Times (15) or State Qual times (Ages 16+). Swimmers are expected to attend daily swim practice and strength training.  Swimmers in this group are expected to compete at least monthly and travel to Championship Meets once each season (SCY and LCM).  Senior Elite Team swimmers are training to achieve Sectionals/Futures/Junior National or higher cuts. On average the workout will total 4000-6000 meters, and the Senior Elite team will follow a supervised weight room/dryland training plan 2-3x/week.

Gear required for each practice: Cap, goggles, fins, kickboard, pull buoy, paddles, snorkel, parachute, band, tempo trainer, backstroke nose clip (optional)

Tryout Requirements: 10x100M Free @ 1:25, 5x200M IM @ 3:15, 10x100M K @ 1:55

Expectations of the Senior Elite Group

• Strive to be competitive at the Sectional/National Level
• To consistently improve commitment level and training/racing ability from season to season
• Demonstrate leadership skills
• Attendance should improve, not decline as the athlete matures
• Training attitudes should be more productive and supportive as the athlete gets older
• Athletes must conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to actions needed to promote and support the goals of the team
• Attend all meets prescribed by coaching staff unless Senior coach agrees to the absence
• Display ability to train appropriately for the athlete’s experience and stated goals
• Parental involvement in "wet side" decreases but increases on "dry side" during tenure.
• Active in club fundraising

Other areas of swimmer Accountability:

• Swimmer learns to accept the responsibility for his/her performance
• Swimmer learns coping strategies to deal with peer pressure
• Swimmer learns coping strategies to deal with parent pressure
• Swimmer understands and performs personal race strategies
• Swimmer demonstrates an ability to balance school, social, swimming and family
• Swimmer can effectively communicate her/his commitment to her/his parent, coach and teammates
• Swimmer knows the team goals and will take an active part in developing specific and attainable practice group goals
• Swimmer understands the relationship between his/her personal commitment level and results

Goals for the Senior Elite Group:

• Has 100% attendance at practice sessions
• Does not arrive late or leave early from practice
• Understands that each practice is a necessary component for success
• Incorporates both a team and individual approach to swimming
• Loves to Race
• Loves the sport and is committed to it
• Has an open mind and believes that anything and everything is possible
• Has confidence in themselves and in the work they have put in, as well in the obstacles and challenges they have overcome
• Enjoys challenges and difficult tasks, understands that these challenges build character and help the process of success in and out of the pool.
• Always seeks to do more then what is asked, is not satisfied do the minimum
• Understands that confidence, not arrogance is a key factor in successful performances
• Gives honest self-assessment in practice and meets
• Takes responsibility for their actions in practice and meets
• Understands that the “Athlete” has the most influence on the outcome
• Comes to practice prepared with proper equipment and nutrition (water, sports drink, power bar)
• Carries at all times spare suit, cap and goggles
• Consults the coach concerning injury or illness
• Consistently offers the coach feedback on personal technique, training and meet performances
• Practices good self-talk during all practices and meets
• Understands that focusing on the solutions is far better than focusing on problems
• Above all commits to doing everything within their power to reaching their goals and maximizing their own potential