Practice Squads
Bluefish Maine has eight different practice squads. Each squad practices with a dedicated coach. Below, you will find more information on the requirements for each training group.
Mini Makos - Let’s make a splash!
Minis is for kids 5 to 9 who can swim a length of the pool without help, but haven’t mastered any of the competitive strokes. They love the water and are interested in maybe swimming competitively. They are introduced to all the strokes but focus on freestyle and backstroke.
White Squad - Dive right in!
These kids can swim 50 meters of freestyle with good breathing without stopping and 25 meters of backstroke. Primarily for those 6 to 10, the group is heavily focused on fundamentals and an introduction to racing.
Blue Squad - Stepping up!
Blue continues to feature a heavy focus on developing great technique but introduces endurance-based workouts. This group, ages 8 to 11, are looking to become well rounded swimmers and learning to enjoy competing to measure their progress.
Green Squad - Look out!
Here we come! While technique is stressed every day, these 9 to 12-year-olds are learning more and more about training and racing. We’re looking to build more self-awareness and confidence. Mastering the clock, understanding pace, and becoming aware of what they are doing is all part of the package.
Bronze Squad - We can do this!
Bronze is for swimmers over the age of 13. Whether you’re new to swimming, focusing on another sport, or trying to get to Silver, Bronze is the squad for you. In this group, swimmers focus on stroke mechanics and are introduced to aerobic-based work.
Silver Squad - Next level stuff!
The Silver squad is intended to transition athletes from the Green or Bronze Squads and to provide some focus on how to race well at meets. Swimmers continue to work on stroke mechanics as well as aerobic capacity and to adapt to the crucial skills needed to develop as higher-level swimmers.
Gold Squad - You've Made It!
Primarily for athletes aged 13-18. These swimmers have mastered most of the finer aspects of competitive swimming and they are in it for the long haul. In Gold, an emphasis is put on Training as opposed to "practicing". This includes solidifying the aerobic base, lots of endurance training, and fine-tuning of race techniques.
National Team – Top Notch!
This group is for our top athletes who are interested in competing at the national level or continuing to NCAA swimming. Nationals swimmers are athletes who have achieved New England Seniors/Sectionals time standards and who are willing to make a commitment to training at the highest levels of USA Swimming.
