SHARKS-
SSAN’s Noncompetitive Swim Team Group Descriptions
2023-2024
Shark 10 and Under- (Elementary school group, recommended age of 5-7 years of age), Shark 2- ages 8-10
- Entry Level group, offered year round.
- Training group for elementary school swimmers wanting to get exercise after other activities/sports, stay in shape for summer league and would like to continue improving and staying fit.
- Group Entry: Swimmers must be capable of multiple laps of freestyle and backstroke without interruption (stopping on lane ropes, pushing off the bottom) and completed a season of summer league, 25 backstroke kick on the surface in the streamline position, and listening ability in a distracting environment. Knowledge of breaststroke and butterfly is desired.
- Group Focus: continued development of proper stroke technique, introduction to interval training, keeping the fun in swimming, staying fit and summer league atmosphere all year long.
- Required Equipment: fins, kickboard, and mesh bag
Progress to Competitive Streamline: Swimmer must be able to complete 50 Freestyle and 50 Backstroke without interruption multiple times. They must have a working knowledge of Butterfly and Breaststroke. The swimmer must demonstrate listening ability, motivation, and good sportsmanship. Being able to swim all 4 competitive strokes legally is high desired.
Shark 11-14 (Junior High group, recommended ages of 11-14)
- Intermediate level group, offered year round.
- Training group for middle schoolers who are wanting to get exercise after oth3er activities/sports, stay in shape for summer league and would like to continue improving and staying fit.
- Group Entry: Swimmers should have good participation at practice, have a good work ethic, interpersonal skills, demonstrate leadership qualities, along with being able to complete a legal 25 of each stroke, 100 IM, and 100 Free
- Group Focus: continued development of proper stroke technique, introduction to interval training, keeping the fun in swimming, staying fit and summer league atmosphere all year long.
- Required Equipment: fins, kickboard, small pull buoy, mesh bag, and water bottle.
Progress to Competitive Streamline: Swimmer should have a good work ethic, interpersonal skills, demonstrate leadership qualities, along with being able to complete a legal 50 of each stroke, 200 IM, and 200 Free.
Shark Senior (High School group)
· Year-round, intermediate-level group for high school swimmers that have other interests while still wanting to have a competitive edge.
· Group Entry: A legal 50 of all four competitive strokes, 100 IM, and a 200 free.
· This group is ideal for JV swimmers wanting additional training & technique work & to keep the fun in swimming.
· Group focus: perfecting stroke technique, mechanics, developing endurance, starts, turns, USA Swimming IMX events, and completing in all age available events each season. Increased focus on repeat interval sets and race pace training. Development of racing strategy for middle distance freestyle events. Helping prepare for High School swimming and year-round competitions.
· Swimmers in this group are eligible for 5-hour Off-Campus PE with school and coach permission.
· Required Equipment: long fins, kickboard, pull-buoy, paddles, snorkel, mesh bag, and water bottle.
· Note: Swimmer has the option to compete, volunteer shifts (National Prep shifts) then apply.
Progress to National Prep: Based on Head Coach approval, current coach recommendation, present group attendance & punctuality, test set performance, work ethic, coachability, intrinsic motivation, commitment to train and leadership. Swimmers must achieve 2 ages 15-16 SCY B cuts and have competed in SSAN meets.
