Please Note:
-The Dowling Catholic Riptide Swim Club is open to all who want to join.
-This is not a learn-to-swim program. Each participant must have a willingness to work hard, be coachable and try to be the best they can be.
-Swimmers are evaluated and assigned to a training group when they join the team. Tryout information can be found HERE. Advancement to successive groups is based on being able to do the listed advancement requirements AND coaches’ discretion. Training group assignments will not be changed during the first six weeks and the last six weeks of the season.
-While we do have some equipment on hand at the pool for kids to use, we encourage parents to purchase kids their own training equipment (kickboard, fins, pull buoy, paddles, etc). See the training group descriptions for what is necessary for each group and a link to our team store.
BASE CAMP
Performance Requirements: Must be able to complete 25 yards of freestyle and backstroke. Must be able to complete 12.5 yards of butterfly and breaststroke. Must be able to dive from a standing position. Must be able to consistently push off the wall in a streamline.
Description: Base Camp is the best way to help your swimmer transition from swim lessons to our formalized swim team. One of the toughest transitions in swimming is making the leap from lessons to team. The Dowling Catholic Riptide Base Camp bridges this gap by introducing proper swim team technique and etiquette while gradually building the endurance needed to be on a swim team. The goal of this training group is to provide a positive learning environment for early swimmers who have an interest in swim team but aren’t sure if they are ready for the full commitment of a swim team or need additional help with their endurance and technique.
Advancement Requirements: Swimmers must be able to legally complete 25 yards of each of the four competitive strokes: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle. They must also be able to do each of the two competitive starts: Freestyle and Backstroke as well as each of the competitive turns: Flip Turns (Freestyle and Backstroke) and Open Turns (Breaststroke and Butterfly). Swimmers should demonstrate the ability to listen and follow coaches instructions. Advancement is also subject to coaches’ discretion.
Group Philosophy: “Let’s give competitive swimming a try. Swimming is fun!”
Practice Days: Base Camp 8 (8 & Under) – Monday at DCHS / Thursday at DCHS / Saturday at DCHS
Base Camp 9 (9 & Over) – Tuesday at DCHS / Friday at DCHS / Sunday at DCHS
Practice Times: Base Camp 8 - Monday / Thursday - 5:45-6:30pm, Saturday - 11:00-11:45am
Base Camp 9 - Tuesday / Friday - 5:45-6:30pm, Sunday - 4:30-5:15pm
Equipment Required: Kickboard, Fins, Swim Cap (Girls), Goggles, Water Bottle, Headset (Riptide Supplied).
Training equipment may be found in our team store HERE.
Season Fee: 5 monthly payments of $100 (1st month billed at time of registration, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan). $25 session registration fee (Billed at time of registration).
GROUP 1
Performance Requirements: Swimmers must be able to legally complete 25 yards of each of the four competitive strokes: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle. They must also be able to do each of the two competitive starts: Freestyle and Backstroke as well as each of the competitive turns: Flip Turns (Freestyle and Backstroke) and Open Turns (Breaststroke and Butterfly). Swimmers should demonstrate the ability to listen and follow coaches instructions.
Description: Swimmers in Group 1 are typically 12 & Under. The focus for Group 1 is on learning the fundamentals of the sport and having fun in the water! In this group, swimmers are introduced to the very basics of training, including circle swimming, use of the pace clock, body-position kicking and kicking with a board, stroke drills, sprinting, and swimming at a steady pace for longer periods. These swimmers are required to have graduated our Base Camp group, or must be able to legally swim all four strokes, turns, a front dive, and a basic backstroke start. Typically, Group 1 swimmers are very young or brand-new to the sport. Group 1 participants are recommended to come to practice at least 3 times per week. Group 1 swimmers are not offered strength and conditioning workouts. These swimmers are not required to attend competitive meets, although they are encouraged to compete several times per season, depending on individual readiness.
Advancement Requirements: Swimmers must be able to complete 50 yards of each of the four competitive strokes: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle. They must be able to do competitive starts and turns, circle swim and use the pace clock at a basic level. Swimmers should demonstrate the ability to listen and follow coaches instructions. Advancement is also subject to coaches’ discretion.
Group Philosophy: “Competitive swimming is fun!”
Practice Days: Monday at Genesis Health Club / Tuesday at Genesis Health Club / Thursday at DCHS / Friday at DCHS
Practice Times: Monday / Tuesday - 4:30-5:30pm, Thursday - 5:45-6:45pm, Friday - 6:30-7:30pm
Equipment Required: Kickboard, Fins, Swim Cap (Girls), Goggles, Water Bottle, Mesh Bag, Headset (Riptide Supplied).
Training equipment may be found in our team store HERE.
Season Fee: 5 monthly payments of $110 (1st month billed at time of registration, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan). $25 session registration fee (Billed at time of registration).
GROUP 2
Performance Requirements: Swimmers must be able to legally complete 50 yards of each of the four competitive strokes: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle. They must be able to do competitive starts and turns, circle swim and use the pace clock at a basic level. Swimmers should demonstrate the ability to listen and follow coaches instructions.
Description: Swimmers in Group 2 are typically 12 & Under. Group 2 is intended for younger swimmers who have a stronger grasp of the four strokes than Group 1 yet are still in need of gaining valuable, additional training and racing experience. Kicking, stroke skills, and building stamina are the hallmarks of Group 2. This group is an important step in the development of the young swimmer. Here the swimmers not only focus on fundamentals, but learn to use the clock regularly, are taught lane etiquette, and begin to learn more advanced racing skills and strategies. These swimmers are recommended to come to practice 3-4 times per week, including strength & conditioning workouts, and attend meets monthly.
Advancement Requirements: Swimmers must be able to legally complete 100 yards of each of the four competitive strokes: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle. They must be able to do competitive starts and turns, circle swim and use the pace clock at a basic level. Swimmers must be able to successfully complete 3 x 100 Freestyle swim on 2:00 and 4 x 50 (1 of each stroke) on 1:15 continuously. Swimmers should demonstrate the ability to listen and follow coaches instructions. Advancement is also subject to coaches’ discretion.
Group Philosophy: “Advance our swimming skills, and have fun doing it!”
Practice Days: Monday at Genesis Health Club / Tuesday at Genesis Health Club / Thursday at DCHS / Friday at DCHS
Practice Times: Monday / Tuesday - 5:30-6:45pm, Thursday - 6:30-7:45pm, Friday - 7:15-8:30pm
Equipment Required: Kickboard, Fins, Swim Cap (Girls), Goggles, Water Bottle, Mesh Bag, Headset (Riptide Supplied).
Training equipment may be found in our team store HERE.
Season Fee: 5 monthly payments of $150 (1st month billed at time of registration, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan). $25 session registration fee (Billed at time of registration).
GROUP 3
Performance Requirements: Swimmers must be able to legally complete 100 yards of each of the four competitive strokes: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle. They must be able to do competitive starts and turns, circle swim and use the pace clock at a basic level. Swimmers must be able to successfully complete 3 x 100 Freestyle swim on 2:00 and 4 x 50 (1 of each stroke) on 1:15 continuously. Swimmers should demonstrate the ability to listen and follow coaches instructions.
Description: This group is comprised of swimmers within a broad range of age and ability, spanning experienced younger swimmers, as well as older swimmers that are new to training. The younger swimmers in this group have spent time acquiring the fundamental skills and strategies of swimming. The older swimmers in this group may be less experienced but are now learning to put their skills to use in more rigorous training. Group 3 swimmers learn to balance discipline and fun while engraining the tough-to-learn nuances of swimming technique and strategy. Swimmers are expected to attend practice between 3 and 5 times per week, including strength & conditioning workouts, and attend meets monthly, or periodically depending on readiness.
Advancement Requirements: Swimmers must be able to legally complete 200 yards of each of the four competitive strokes: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle and be able to do competitive starts, turns and underwater streamlines legally. They must use the pace clock as a part of practice. Swimmers must be able to successfully complete 5 x 100 Freestyle swim on 1:40 and 4 x 100 IM swim on 1:50 continuously. Swimmers should demonstrate the ability to listen and follow coaches instructions. Advancement is also subject to coaches’ discretion.
Group Philosophy: “Develop the love of training and racing!”
Practice Days: Monday at Genesis Health Club / Tuesday at Genesis Health Club / Thursday at DCHS / Friday at DCHS / Saturday at DCHS
Practice Times: Monday / Tuesday / Thursday - 6:45-8:15pm, Friday - 7:15-8:45pm, Saturday - 11:00-12:30pm
Equipment Required: Kickboard, Fins, Snorkel, Swim Cap (Girls), Goggles, Water Bottle, Mesh Bag, Headset (Riptide Supplied).
Training equipment may be found in our team store HERE.
Season Fee: 5 monthly payments of $170 (1st month billed at time of registration, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan). $25 session registration fee (Billed at time of registration).
GROUP 4
Performance Requirements: Swimmers must be able to legally complete 200 yards of each of the four competitive strokes: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle and be able to do competitive starts, turns and underwater streamlines legally. They must use the pace clock as a part of practice. Swimmers must be able to successfully complete 5 x 100 Freestyle swim on 1:40 and 4 x 100 IM swim on 1:50 continuously. Swimmers should demonstrate the ability to listen and follow coaches instructions.
Description: This group is primarily for junior-high-aged and high-school aged swimmers whose goals are to attend practice 4-5 times per week, including strength & conditioning workouts, and attend meets monthly. The younger swimmers in this group are more experienced in competitive swimming for their age and aspire to qualify for and final in the State Championship Meet. For this group, consistent practice attendance is critical in building strength, enhancing skills, refining technique, and developing training and racing strategies.
Advancement Requirements: Swimmers must be able to complete 200 yards of each of the four competitive strokes: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle and be able to do competitive starts, turns and underwater streamlines legally. They must use the pace clock as a part of practice. Swimmers must be able to successfully complete 5 x 100 Freestyle swim on 1:30 and 3 x 200 IM on 3:15 continuously. Swimmers should demonstrate the ability to listen and follow coaches instructions. Advancement is also subject to coaches’ discretion.
Group Philosophy: “Build a strong technical and aerobic foundation and learn to train hard.”
Practice Days: Monday at DCHS / Tuesday at DCHS / Thursday at Genesis Health Club / Friday @ DCHS / Sunday @ DCHS
Practice Times: Monday / Tuesday 5:45-7:30pm, Thursday - 6:30-8:15pm, Friday - 5:45-7:15pm, Sunday - 4:30-6:15pm
Equipment Required: Kickboard, Fins, Pull Buoy, Paddles, Snorkel, Tempo Trainer, Swim Cap (Girls), Goggles, Water Bottle, Mesh Bag, Headset (Riptide Supplied).
Training equipment may be found in our team store HERE.
Season Fee: 5 monthly payments of $180 (1st month billed at time of registration, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan). $25 session registration fee (Billed at time of registration).
GROUP 5
Performance Requirements: Swimmers must be able to complete 200 yards of each of the four competitive strokes: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle and be able to do competitive starts, turns and underwater streamlines legally. They must use the pace clock as a part of practice. Swimmers must be able to successfully complete 5 x 100 Freestyle swim on 1:20 and 3 x 200 IM on 3:15 continuously. Swimmers should demonstrate the ability to listen and follow coaches instructions.
Description: Group 5 swimmers are expected to come to every practice offered, which amounts to 6 or more workouts per week, including all strength and conditioning sessions. These athletes have made swimming their first priority and strive to qualify for Zones, Sectionals or higher level of competition. Swimmers in this group must be in 9th grade or older. Those who do not attend practice regularly in this group risk injury and stagnation. Team leadership and being role models for the younger swimmers is expected.
Group Philosophy: “Train hard every day.”
Practice Days: Monday at DCHS / Tuesday at DCHS / Thursday at Genesis Health Club / Friday at DCHS / Saturday at DCHS / Sunday at DCHS
Practice Times: Monday / Tuesday - 6:30-8:30pm, Thursday - 4:30-6:30pm, Friday - 5:45-7:15pm, Saturday - 11:00-1:00pm, Sunday - 5:15-7:15pm
Equipment Required: Kickboard, Fins, Pull Buoy, Paddles, Snorkel, Tempo Trainer, Swim Cap (Girls), Goggles, Water Bottle, Mesh Bag, Headset (Riptide Supplied).
Training equipment may be found in our team store HERE.
Season Fee: 5 monthly payments of $205 (1st month billed at time of registration, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan). $25 session registration fee (Billed at time of registration). Those on the girls high schoo team 3 monthly payments of $205 (1st month billed at time of registration, Dec, Jan). Those on the boys high school team 2 monthly payments of $205 (1st month at time of registration and Oct).
Additional Season Fees
- Team registration fee of $25 paid at registration with the first month
- USA Swimming Membership Fee-REQUIRED
- Individual Season cost is $50
- Premium Membership is $88
- USA Swimming Meet Fees-VARIES
- Athletes and families may choose which meet to compete in
- Fees are dependent on the host teams pricing
- Typical meet fees for a single day are $30-50
- Team Apparel-
- Team Suit at Elsmore-Optional
- Team Caps-Required available through Coach Dan or Elsmore
*Swimmers involved in other activities may choose to start in October. If you choose to start in October you will be charged 4 total payments for the season, at registration, on November, December, and January
*Riptide Training Groups are based in part on those used at Pikes Peak Athletics in Colorado Springs, CO
