Learn to Swim
This is our entry program, designed for swimmers ages 5-10 who are giving their first steps in the sport. At this group swimmers will learn water safety, flutter kicking, gliding, streamlining, and the basics of freestyle and backstroke. The LTS will prepare the swimmers to join the Pre-Team or Bronze groups. For the majority of the time the coach is in the water assisting the swimmers as needed. The learn to swim practices have up to 4 swimmers at the time.
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Focus: water safety and technique basics
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Water Practices per Week: 2
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Land Practices per Week: does not include
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USA-S Membership: Not needed
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Competitions: Not included
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Equipment requirements: swimsuit, swim goggles
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Moving up perspective: As the swimmers complete the Learn to Swim curriculum they are invited to join Pre-Team or Bronze groups at the lead coach’s decision.
Pre-Team
The Pre-Team is the entry point to our competitive swim program. Practices are fun and engaging, combining drills, races, and plenty of opportunities to learn and grow. Pre-Team swimmers participate in Intra-squad events and other meets recommended by the lead coach. Swimmers in this group will focus on consistently swimming a full 25-meter lap of freestyle and backstroke while being introduced to butterfly and breaststroke techniques. They will also learn essential skills such as push-off, diving, and turns.
Group Details:
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Focus: Stroke learning (Level 1)
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Water Practices per Week: 2
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Land Practices per Week: 2 sessions (10 minutes each)
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USA-S Membership: Flexible
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Competitions: Intra-squads
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Equipment: goggles, cap (provided), fins link
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Moving up perspective: Bronze.
Bronze Group
At the Bronze Group practices remain fun and interactive, incorporating drills and races in a supportive learning environment. The swimmers build on the foundation of the Pre-Team / Learn to Swim, learning to legally perform all four strokes (freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and breaststroke) while emphasizing streamline and basic competitive skills. Swimmers in this group begin participating in sanctioned competitions. Bronze Group swimmers compete in Intra-squad events, local meets, and the Area 2 Championships as recommended by the lead coach.
Group Details:
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Focus: Stroke learning (Level 2)
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Water Practices per Week: 3
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Land Practices per Week: 3 sessions (10 minutes each)
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USA-S Membership: Flexible
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Competitions: Area 2, Intra-squads, and local meets
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Equipment: goggles, cap (provided), fins link
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Moving up perspective: Silver or Gold at the lead coach’s decision.
Kickstart Group
The Kickstart group is designed for Middle and Upper School aged students who are taking their first steps in the sport. Here the swimmers are given the opportunity to improve their skills and move to a more advanced group, or remain at the Kickstart having swimming as their exercise of choice without being in a competitive group.
Group Details:
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Focus: Stroke polishing
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Water Practices per Week: 5 offered, 3 required
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Land Practices per Week: 5 sessions (15 minutes each)
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USA-S Membership: Flex or Premium
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Competitions: Area 2, Intra-squads, and local meets
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Equipment: goggles, cap (provided), fins link
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Moving up perspective: Gold MS or Senior Prep at the lead coach’s decision.
Silver Group
The Silver Group focuses on refining stroke technique while developing competitive skills. Swimmers will enhance their abilities through drills, kicking exercises, and race-focused training. Key skills like starts, turns, finishes, and relay exchanges are emphasized during practice. This group offers a supportive environment to help swimmers advance to the next level. Silver swimmers participate in Intra-squad events, local meets, and the Area 2 Championships.
Group Details:
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Focus: Stroke polishing
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Water Practices per Week: 5 offered, 3 required
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Land Practices per Week: 5 sessions (15 minutes each)
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USA-S Membership: Flex or Premium
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Competitions: Area 2, Intra-squads, and local meets
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Equipment: goggles, cap (provided), fins link
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Moving up perspective: Gold LS, Gold MS, or Senior Prep at the lead coach’s decision.
Gold Lower School (LS) Group
The Gold LS Group introduces a more balanced approach to training. Drills, kicking, and skill development are still emphasized, but swimmers will also begin training sets and goal-oriented work. Accountability for personal progress becomes a key focus. Regular practice attendance is essential for consistent improvement, and swimmers in this group are expected to actively participate in competitions for their development.
Group Details:
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Focus: Introduction to training
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Water Practices per Week: 5 offered, 4 required
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Land Practices per Week: 3 sessions (15 minutes each) + 2 sessions (30 minutes each)
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USA-S Membership: Premium
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Competitions: FLAGS, Area 2, Intra-squads, and local meets
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Equipment: goggles, cap (provided), fins link
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Moving up perspective: Gold MS, or Senior Prep at the lead coach’s decision.
Gold Middle School (MS)
Swimmers in the Gold MS Group prepare for and participate in championship meets held in December, March, and July. Entry into this group requires achieving 11–12 BB times (as per USA Swimming standards). Attendance at practices and competitions is a key factor for placement in this group.
Gold MS swimmers will use practice time for physical education (PE) credit, with schedules organized to include PE and Study Hall during the last two school periods. Swimmers will learn interval training and develop the ability to train at varying effort levels.
Group Details:
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Focus: Championship preparation
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Water Practices per Week: 6 required
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Land Practices per Week: 4 sessions (15 minutes each) + 2 sessions (30 minutes each)
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USA-S Membership: Premium
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Competitions: FLAGS, Area 2, Intra-squads, and local meets
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Equipment: goggles, cap (provided), fins link
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Moving up perspective: Senior Prep at the lead coach’s decision.
Senior Prep
The Senior Prep group is designed for competitive swimmers aged 11-14 who have already or are close to achieving FLAGS cuts. This group focuses on preparing athletes for championship competitions, including FLAGS, Florida Senior Champs, Area 2, and the Florida 1A State Series. Swimmers in this group are beginning to participate in varsity swimming and attend key championship meets in December, March, and July.
Group Details:
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Focus: Advanced competitive training
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Water Practices per Week: 6 required
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Land Practices per Week: 4 sessions (15 minutes each) + 2 sessions (45 minutes each)
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USA-S Membership: Premium
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Competitions: Varsity, Winter Classic, Area 2, FLAGS, Senior Champs
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Moving up perspective: Senior at the lead coach’s decision.
Senior Group
The Senior group is for swimmers who have achieved at least 2 Southern Sectionals cuts and / or are selected by the lead coach. Swimmers in this group are expected to excel in both academics and swimming, with near-perfect attendance at practices and competitions.
Athletes will prepare to compete at the Florida 1A State Championship, Winter Junior Championship, Southern Sectionals, Spring Senior Champs and other national and international meets. Families and athletes must commit fully to the program and maintain regular communication with the coaching staff. Adherence to the season training and competition plan is required.
Group Details:
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Focus: Elite-level training
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Water Practices per Week: 9 required
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Land Practices per Week: 9 sessions (15 minutes each) + 3 sessions (45 minutes each)
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USA-S Membership: Premium
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Main competitions: Varsity Invitational and State Series, Winter / Summer Open and Junior Championships, Sectionals, International Competitions.
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Equipment: goggles, cap (provided), fins link, paddles link, drag socks link, parachutes link
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Moving up perspective: College swimming
