AULEA SWIM CLUB GROUP STRUCTURE 2025-26

The purpose of the groups is for kids to learn all necessary age/ability appropriate skills, NOT to advance through the groups as quickly as possible.  Each swimmer will receive individualized coaching while still working within the team structure.

Kokokahi Swim Groups

Intro 1/2/3

2 Practices/week

    Description: The Aulea Intro Program consists of 3 tiered pre-team groups for capable swimmers ages 6-10 interested in swimming competitively.  The Intro program is focused on technique fundamentals in all 4 competitive strokes as well as turns and learning racing dives. Intro swimmers compete in practice mini meets and intersquad meets with Aulea teammates, as well as USA Swimming sanctioned “B/C” and Block Party meets, and novice meets with other Oahu swim clubs. To advance to the Bronze group, they must be legal in all 4 strokes, maintain good attendance and receive coaches’ recommendation.

Age considerations for Kailua Swim Groups

Move ups for all groups will be done after Age Group Champs (end of July and end of February)

The following group descriptions will be utilized to the maximum extent possible but there will also be coaches’ discretion used to balance all groups.

Kailua Swim Groups

Bronze (age 8-11)

3 Practices/week swim + 1 x week dryland

    Description: This group is for swimmers ages 11 & under who are legal in all 4 strokes and working on improving their endurance with continued focus on stroke technique, turns, and starts. Swimmers learn to read the pace clock and are introduced to mini sets on intervals. They compete in BC and novice meets, Block Party Meets, A+ and Invitational meets if qualified. Bronze swimmers should be working towards racing all strokes and achieving a time in every event offered for the 10 & under age group. To progress to Silver Group, swimmers must have good practice attendance, display proper practice and lane etiquette, achieve official times in 50 of all 4 strokes, 100 IM and 100 freestyle, and receive coaches' recommendation.

Silver (ages 9-11)

3 Practices/week swim + 1 x week dryland

    Description: This group is for swimmers ages 9-11 who are actively competing, maintain at least 65% attendance and receive coaches' recommendation. Swimmers in Silver have at least 1 10&Under Invitational (INVT) time. Training continues to be technique focused but more challenging yardage and intervals are implemented. Silver swimmers are proficient in and regularly compete in all 4 strokes. Silver swimmers should achieve official times in all events offered for their age group in both SCY and LCM. The group is focused on A+ meets, Invitational Meets, and Age Group Champs. Minimum test set requirement for Silver group: 10 x 50 free on 1:00 and 5 x 100 IM on 2:20. If a swimmer is below 40% attendance for 3 consecutive months they will lose the privilege to be in Silver Group for the season.

Gold (ages 11-13)

3 Practices/week swim + 1 x week dryland

    Description: This group is for swimmers ages 11-13 who are working on being legal in all 4 strokes and improving their endurance. Gold group swimmers often do other sports/activities and may not compete in swim meets regularly but are striving to improve their times. Gold Group swimmers are encouraged to attend all Block Party, BC meets, and A+ and Invitational meets for which they have qualified. Swimmers in this group should achieve official times in 50 and 100 of all strokes, and 100 IM.

Platinum (ages 10-12)

5 Practices/week swim + 2 x week dryland

    Description: This group is for swimmers ages 10-12 who are active competitors.  They attend practice at least 3x/week and receive coaches' recommendations. The  minimum qualification for the Platinum group is 1 11-12 Invitational time.  Swimmers aged 10 will be considered if they have at least 1 11-12 Invitational time and have strong attendance and coaches' recommendation. Platinum Group swimmers regularly compete in A+ and Invitational meets and should have competed in every event offered for their age group. Platinum Group continues to focus on solid stroke fundamentals while increasing intensity. Key meets are A+ meets, Invitationals, and Age Group Champs. Minimum test set requirement for Platinum group: 8 x 100 free on 1:40 and 5 x 100 IM on 1:55. If a swimmer is below 50% attendance for 3 consecutive months, they will lose the privilege to be in Platinum group for the season. 

Senior (ages 13-18)

3-6 Practices/week swim + 2-3 x week dryland

    Description: Swimmers in the Senior group are 13 years and older, are proficient in all 4 strokes and are aiming to improve their times.  Some swimmers in this group are active competitors with regular practice attendance while others may be multi-sport competitors and out of the water for periods of time throughout the year.

Advanced Senior (ages 14-18 and in high school)

4-6 Practices/week swim + 2-3 x week dryland

Description: Swimmers in the Advanced Senior group are 14 years and older and in high school. Minimum requirement is at least 1 Senior B time, some swimmers may have Senior A times and High School State individual event qualifying times. Advanced Senior group swimmers may be invited to all or some National Group practices at the Head Coaches’ discretion.

National Prep (ages 12-15)

5-7 Practices/week swim + 2-3 x week dryland

    Description: Swimmers in the National Prep group are at least 13 years old and are active competitors.  They are year round aquatic athletes and have excellent practice attendance.  Swimmers in this group are looking to make an impact at the state level and have national level goals. Athletes age 12 with at least 2 13-14 Champs times, exceptional practice attendance and effort, and coaches’ recommendation will be considered for this group. Training intensity and expectations are elevated and National Prep swimmers focus on achieving 13-14 Age Group Champs standards in multiple events, and Hawaii Senior qualifying times. Key meets are Invitationals, Age Group Champs, and Senior Champs. Minimum test set requirement for National Prep: 10 x 100 free on 1:30. If a swimmer is below 50% attendance for 3 consecutive months, they will lose the privilege to be in the National Prep group for the season. Exceptions to the attendance policy for ILH or HS swim may be permitted with Group and Head Coach approval.

National (ages 14-18 and in high school)

6-9 Practices/week + 2-3 x week dryland

    Description: Swimmers in the National Group are high performance competitors fully committed to both the swim and dryland program.  These swimmers are at practice every day and are looking to swim in college and beyond.  Minimum requirement is at least 1 Senior A time. Swimmers in this group are Senior Zones and Senior Sectionals qualifiers (or on that trajectory). Swimmers in the National group are expected to attend all team travel meets for which they qualify. Focus meets are Hawaii Senior Champs, High School States, Senior Invitationals and Senior Sectionals. Minimum attendance expectation is 70%. If the attendance requirement is not met for 3 consecutive months, the swimmer will lose the privilege to be in the National group for the season. Exceptions to the attendance policy for HS swim may be permitted with Coaches’ approval.