CLUB TEAM STRUCTURE + TRAINING GROUP DESCRIPTIONS

Windermere Lakers Aquatics Club Team is structured to help every athlete reach their highest potential. Training group placement is based on age, ability, attitude, and commitment — ensuring each swimmer can grow in the sport and develop a lifelong love for swimming at a pace that’s right for them.

GROUP PLACEMENT

Our club coaching staff leads all training group placement decisions. Key factors considered include:

  • Maturity – chronological age, physiological readiness, and emotional development.
  • Commitment – practice attendance, meet participation, and the priority the athlete places on swimming.
  • Training Ability & Technique – current skill level, stroke proficiency, and ability to meet training demands.
  • Official Times – compared to Florida Swimming and USA Swimming time standards.

Training group placement determines an athlete’s floor, not their ceiling. Each group has its own entry standards (the floor), but there are no upper limits on achievement (the ceiling). Placement does not reflect a coach’s belief about a swimmer’s potential — instead, it ensures they are in an environment where they can thrive right now while preparing for the next step.

Swimmers are placed in groups that best serve their developmental needs. If swimmers or parents have questions about group placement, we encourage them to speak directly with the lead coach of their training group.

 

Laker Swim 2025-2026 Training Groups
PLEASE NOTE: Participation in ANY of the groups listed below require membership with USA Swimming. USA Swimming has a yearly registration fee -- this is a seperate cost from the yearly Lakers registration fee, which is due in November.
Group Name Recommended Age/Grade Range Group Description Minimum Placement Requirements Attendance Commitment Required Equipment
Red 1 Ages 10 & Under (Up to 4th Grade) Red 1 is designed for our youngest competitive swimmers. The focus is on mastering the fundamentals of all four strokes while fostering a love for the sport. This group emphasizes proper technique, starts, turns, and building endurance in a fun and supportive environment. Swimmer can swim legal 100s of freestyle, and legal 50s of the other competitive strokes. Swimmer can safely dive from the starting blocks, has knowledge of proper turns and transitions at the wall, and uses intervals semi-regularly. No qualifying times are required for placement in Red 1, but swimmers must be able to complete the standard Red warm-up of 2 x 100s flutter kick on 3:00 & 4 x 50s freestyle swim on 1:20. Two or Three Practices a Week, Regularly Attends Meets Goggles, Swim Cap, Water Bottle, Kick Board, Fins, Snorkel, Sneakers for Dryland
Red 2 Ages 11 - 12 (5th - 6th Grade) Red 2 swimmers have a solid foundation in competitive swimming and are looking to pursue their passion in a increasingly competitive environment. The group focuses on refining technique, improving endurance, and preparing swimmers for higher levels of competition. Swimmer can swim 200s of legal freestyle, legal 100s of backstroke, and 50s of legal breastroke and butterfly. Swimmer can safely dive from the starting blocks, has knowledge of proper turns and transitions at the wall, and uses intervals regularly. No qualifying times are required for placement in Red 2, but swimmers must be able to complete the standard Red 2 warm up of 6 x 100 kick/swim on 2:30 Three to Five Practices a Week, Regularly Attends Meets Goggles, Swim Cap, Water Bottle, Kick Board, Fins, Snorkel, Sneakers for Dryland
White Ages 12 & Under (Up to 6th Grade) Swimmers in White are looking to expand their knowledge of the four competitive strokes. Training philosophies, race strategy, and a focus on race pace training are introduced while maintaining focus on stroke form. Swimmers are setting goals towards championship meets (FLAGS). At least one 12 & Under "B" Time Standard, AND successful completion of the following test set:
4 x 50 Kick on 1:30, 6 x 50 Free on 1:20, 6 x 50 Back on 1:20, 5 x 50 Breast on 1:30, 6 x 25 Fly on :45		 Minumum of Four Practices per Week Required, Regularly Attends Meets Goggles, Swim Cap, Water Bottle, Kick Board, Pull Buoy, Fins, Snorkel, Sneakers for Dryland (Paddles Optional)
Blue Ages 10 - 12 (4th - 6th Grade) Swimmers in Blue are increasing their commitment to their swimming goals. Enhanced aerobic training, stroke refinement, higher-intensity race pace training, mental skills, and race strategy are the focuses of this group. Younger swimmers are allowed at coach discretion. At least one 12 & Under "BB" Time Standard, AND successful completion of the following test set:
10 x 100 Free on 1:40, 8 x 100 Kick on 2:15, 6 x 100 IM on 2:10		 Minumum of Five Practices per Week Required,
Attends All Recommended Meets		 Goggles, Swim Cap, Water Bottle, Kick Board, Pull Buoy, Fins, Hand Paddles, Snorkel, Tempo Trainer, Sneakers for Dryland
Pre-Senior II Ages 13 - 14 (7th - 8th Grade) Pre-Senior II swimmers have a strong foundation in competitive swimming. This group emphasizes advanced stroke techniques, endurance training, and race strategies to prepare swimmers for higher levels of competition. Swimmer must be willing to race 200 yards of all four competitive strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly). Swimmer is expected to join this group with previous swimming experience, (ie through WLA's Dragon Swim Academy, another USA swimming certified team, and/or participation in their school's swim seasons). Minimum of Four Practices per Week Required,
Regularly Attends Meets		 Goggles, Swim Cap, Water Bottle, Kick Board, Pull Buoy, Fins, Snorkel, Paddles, Sneakers for Dryland
Pre-Senior I Ages 13 - 14 (7th - 8th Grade) Pre-Senior I swimmers are dedicated middle schoolers aiming to take their training to the next level. With a greater focus on strength and endurance, Pre-Senior swimmers have a goal of qualifying for competitions with time standards (ie, FLAGS or Senior Championships). Swimmer must have least one 13-14 FLAGS cut, AND indication of improvement on the seasonal test set. Minimum of Six Practices per Week Required,
Attends All Recommended Meets		 Goggles, Swim Cap, Water Bottle, Kick Board, Pull Buoy, Fins, Snorkel, Paddles, Sneakers for Dryland
Senior II Ages 14+ (9th Grade & Up) Senior II is for high school-aged swimmers with prior competitive experience. The group focuses on preparation for high school and regional competitions. Swimmer must be willing to race 200 yards of freestyle and backstroke and 100 yards of breaststroke and butterfly. Swimmer is expected to join this group with previous swimming experience, (ie through WLA's Dragon Swim Academy, another USA swimming certified team, and/or participation in their school's swim seasons). Minimum of Three Practices per Week Required (4+ Recommended),
Regularly Attends Meets		 Goggles, Swim Cap, Water Bottle, Kick Board, Pull Buoy, Fins, Snorkel, Paddles, Sneakers for Dryland
Senior I Ages 14+ (9th Grade & Up) Senior I is for highly competitive high school swimmers aiming for top-level meets. Swimmers in Senior I are dedicated to achieving excellence in the sport in the state of Florida. For automatic consideration for Senior I, swimmer must have three or more FLAGS Cuts or Senior Champs Cuts, two of which must be 100s or higher. Swimmers who do not meet these requirements can earn their invite to Senior I based on a number of criteria, including performance on a Senior I test set, practice etiquette, athlete commitment, etc. Attendance at 90% of Practices Expected,
Attends All Recommended Meets		 Goggles, Swim Cap, Water Bottle, Kick Board, Pull Buoy, Fins, Snorkel, Paddles, Sneakers for Dryland
Senior National Ages 14+ (9th Grade & Up) Senior National is for swimmers who have qualified for national-level competitions & are committed to achieving national and international recognition in the sport of swimming. For automatic consideration for Senior National, swimmer must have at least one Future Championship cut. Swimmers who do not meet this requirement can earn their invite to Senior National based on a number of criteria, including performance on a Senior National test set, practice etiquette, athlete commitment, etc. Attendance at 100% of Practices Expected,
Attends All Recommended Meets		 Goggles, Swim Cap, Water Bottle, Kick Board, Pull Buoy, Fins, Snorkel, Paddles, Sneakers for Dryland

TIME STANDARDS: