Swimmer Info
Swimming Program
Entry Requirements
Incoming swimmers will receive a brief in water swim assessment to assist with swimmer placement. Incoming swimmers must be deep water safe, be able to swim 25 meters unassisted, jump into deep water off the block, tread water for 1 min with comfort and be able to kick 25 m of free and back kick supported.
With the exception of the Senior level, all programs run from Mid-September to Mid-June.
Intro 1 Level (FUNdamentals)
Ages 6-9. Swim once weekly for 45 minutes. Intro swimmers are in their first or second year of competitive swimming.
Focus is on developing a comfort in the water in many different positions. Swimmers will develop breath control, balance, buoyancy and alignment as the foundation for efficient swimming. Skills learned in the Intro level include breathing techniques, freestyle, back and dolphin kicking. Swimmers are introduced to sculling to improve "feel" for the water. Swimmers will develop comfort with different positions in the water.
Intro 2 Level (FUNdamentals)
Ages 6-10. Swim twice weekly for 45 minutes. Intro 2 swimmers are in their first or second year of competitive swimming.
Intro 2 swimmers build on skills learned in Intro 1 and will begin to improve all 4 kicks, develop sculling and continue to work on line, balance and body position as the basis for introduction to full stroke.
Novice Level (FUNdamentals)
Ages 7-11. Swimmers swim 2 x 1 hour weekly starting Mid-September to Mid-June.
The focus of this level is to provide a feel for the water and to emphasize balance, breathing, buoyancy and line as the basis for all 4 competitive strokes and to develop a basis for a lifetime of swimming. Competitive swimming skills learned in the novice level include bilateral breathing technique for freestyle, sculling, kicking for all 4 strokes, streamline, and dive from blocks, basic freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke. 25 meter torpedo kick is perfected and proper exit from walls from Ready with streamline is emphasized. Swimmers begin to develop endurance in swimming. Novice swimmers are introduced to dryland as the basis for further kinesthetic development.
Novice swimmers may compete in club hosted minimeets and local meets appropriate to their skills levels.
Development level (Learn to Train)
Ages 9-12. Swimmers swim 3 times per week with no morning practices. They have 1 dryland practice per week.
Practices have a strong focus on technical skills and drills of all 4 competitive strokes. They are introduced to IM swimming. Swimmers are introduced to competition skills including starts and turns and all 4 strokes will be further developed. There is emphasis on technically sound swimming over speed in competition. Swimmers will further develop their endurance swimming. Swimmers have dryland fitness to promote improved body awareness and to protect the athlete from injury.
Development swimmers are encouraged to participate in meets appropriate to their skills and comfort level and will have the opportunity to compete in 4-6 meets per season.
Youth level (Learn to Train)
Ages 9-12. Swimmers swim 4 times per week and have 1 dryland fitness included in the schedule.
Swimmers will further develop technical and endurance skills and begin to use these skills in competition. Swimmers will become competent at swimming IM's in practice and competition. Swimmers will be introduced to the goal setting.
Swimmers in this level may compete 5-7 meets and are aiming to qualify for regional A meets.
Junior (Train to Train)
Ages 12-14. Junior swimmers attend 5 pool sessions, including morning swims and 1 dryland session per week.
Swimmers in this level are committed to striving to attain regional time standards. Swimmers will be solidifying IM skills and competing in distance events. Competency with managing the pace clock and familiarity with concepts of distance per stroke and stroke rate will be emphasized. Attendance at both pool and dryland sessions is expected.
Senior Development (Train to Train)
Ages 12& 13 over. Senior development swimmers attend 5 pool sessions and 1 strength and conditioning session per week.
This level is the final stepping stone prior to the Senior 1 performance level. Senior development swimmers will be striving to qualify for Regional and Festival time standards. Competency with pace clock, concepts of distance per stroke, and solidifying technical excellence in all 4 strokes is the goal. Development of racing strategy and beginning to execute these in a racing environment is further emphasized. Goal setting is further developed. Emphasis on self-management including pre-meet prep, the role of nutrition and recovery occurs.
Senior 2 ( Train to Train)
Ages 14 and over. Senior development swimmers attend 5 pool sessions per week. Senior 2 swimmers will be competent in all 4 strokes and display competency with pace clock, concepts of distance per stroke, and solidifying technical excellence in all 4 strokes is the goal. Development of racing strategy and beginning to execute these in a racing environment is further emphasized. Goal setting is further developed. Emphasis on self-management including pre-meet prep, the role of nutrition and recovery occurs.
Senior 1 (Train to Compete)
14 and over. Senior 1 Performance level trains 8 times per with 2-3 dryland sessions per week.
Athletes are focussed on attaining provincial standards and higher. Further development of racing skills, mental focus in practice and in competition and commitment to training is expected.
Masters and Adult Stroke Improvement Group (Active for Life)
This group swims one or two sessions per week and the focus is on improving both stroke and endurance. Coaching will focus on methods to improve swim stroke efficiency. Adults seeking fitness and adult Tri-Athletes looking to improve their water efficiency are welcomed.
