Developmental Program

Developmental Program Manager: Head Developmental Coach: Alex Savage 

Overview: (Last Update Spring of 2025) 

Our Developmental Program (Minnows, Chinook, and Sharks) is designed to bridge the gap between swim lessons and competitive swimming. This program focuses on introductory concepts in streamlining, posture, bodyline, balance, breathing, and improving body awareness in the water. Emphasis is placed on learning basic competitive skills, developing positive self-esteem, making friends, and having fun! 

Minnows 

  • We will be working on the basics of what a competitive swim team is here. All four strokes will be introduced, as well as open turns, flip turns, underwaters and starts from the side of the pool. We will work our way up to diving from the starting blocks. Dryland, mindfulness, and nutrition will be introduced to the swimmers as well. Fundamentals are the primary focus of this group. 
     

Chinook​ 

  • At this level we will continue to build on the focus points of Minnows but will now start to learn how pace clocks work, what swim sets are, the difference between long and short axis strokes, and the difference between aerobic and anaerobic work. Swimmers will need to be able to perform at least 3 out of the four competitive strokes at a distance of 25 yards or more. Dryland, mindfulness, and nutrition will continue to be taught and expanded on as well as the introduction of basic goal setting.  
     

Sharks 

  • At this level we will continue to build on the skills learned in Chinook, but now swimmers will need to be able to perform all 4 competitive strokes at a distance of at least 25 yards or more as well as at least a 50 Freestyle. The individual medley will be introduced at this level. Swimmers in Sharks should be attending meets. Competitive swims up to 100 yards will also be introduced and we will continue to build on skills with dryland, mindfulness, and nutrition. Goal setting will be expanded to address more specific goals for these swimmers.