Acquisition Pathway

Our Acquisition pathway comprises of 9 groups: Age Group Development, BdC 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D.

• Placement is based on the athlete’s progression in the PCSC development model.
• Athletes in this pathway compete locally at the regional development level.
• An attendance of 80% or more is recommended for athlete progression.
• Our goal for athletes at this level is to build a foundation in all four strokes, develop and enhance technical skills required in competitive swimming, and to teach life skills in a competitive and fun atmosphere.
• Athletes in the acquisition pathway train between 4 to 6 times weekly for a total of 5 to 10 hours per week, depending on age and skill level.

This pathway is important for:

• Development of swimming technique in the water.
• Learning to have fun in a training environment.
• Basic movement skills: agility, balance, coordination.
• Water safety and movement skills.
• Strength development using own body weight.

Development Pathway

• Placement is based on the athlete’s progression in the PCSC development model.
• The development pathway at Pointe-Claire Swim Club comprises of the Age Group A, B, C, Provincial Development, Sport-Etudes Development, Junior Provincial, and Senior Provincial groups.
• Athletes in this pathway focus on the further development of all four competitive strokes, skills and techniques while developing and maintaining a high level of fitness.
• This pathway focuses on teaching athletes how to train effectively while preparing them to train more intensely in the future. We focus on mental development as well as providing new competitive opportunities at this level.
• Aerobic development starts in the pathway.
• Minimum attendance requirements during the season of 80% are expected in the development pathway, with a recommendation of 90% or higher for athlete progression.
• Morning practices are introduced at this level for certain groups.
• As athletes progress in our development pathway, they become more focused on competitive performance.

This pathway is important for:

11-12 years old

• Further development and consistent demonstration of all swimming skills.
• Further development and consistent demonstration of movement skills.
• Beginning of aerobic development training
• Expert instruction on technical and physical skills.
• Pre-growth spurt focus on repetition of skill leading towards mastery.
• Monitored flexibility training.
• Development of positive attitudes to self, others, and sport.

13 + years old

• Beginning of the individualization of the physical training approach.
• Mental health development and ability to deal with adversity.
• Advanced physical, technical, and tactical performance skills.
• Further develop aerobic development training.
• Ability to compete in various environments and conditions.
• Maintenance of flexibility.
• Development of autonomy, independence, and individual responsibility.
• Lifestyle skill awareness and development.
• Individualized strength development.

Performance Pathway

The performance pathway is comprised of the Age Group Performance, Sport-Etudes Performance, Junior National Performance, and National Performance groups.

• Placement is based on the athlete’s progression in the PCSC development model.
• This pathway focuses on performance and developing the skills and training background needed to perform at high level competitions at the national and international level.
• Athletes are expected to attend all practices at this level.
• The performance pathway is an optimized program aimed towards peak performance at specific moments.
• Athletes in our performance pathway train between 6 to 9 times weekly (depending on the group) for a total of 16 to 25 hours of pool and dryland training per week, depending on skill level and group.

This pathway is important for:

• An optimized approach built around a long-term competitive schedule and annual training plan.
• Mental health development and ability to deal with adversity.
• Advanced physical, technical, and tactical performance skills.
• Ability to compete at consistent high levels under various environments and conditions.
• Assuming a leadership role within group settings and in a swim club.
• Lifestyle skill awareness and development.
• Individualized strength development.
• Competitive performance state management.