Exploration is FRST's top group for swimmers 10 years old and younger! Swimmers in this group have achieved Divisionals cuts in multiple events and are striving to represent FRST at the State and Zone levels.
FRST aims to be one of Indiana's top swim programs at all levels, and Exploration is one of the key components in achieving that goal. The focus of this group is skill development and fun, which sets a foundation for these swimmers to see great success as they grow and advance through their swimming journeys.
Coach Paul oversees the Exploration group, as well as all of our 10 & Under swimmers. He spends time with this group laying the foundation for these swimmers to progress into the next phase of their careers through instruction both in water and on land. He not only spends time teaching the skills that apply directly to the water, but preparing our youngsters with skills in other essential areas such as leadership, stress management, and teamwork.
In the past 2 years, Paul and the Exploration group have seen multiple Age Group State and Zone medalists, and a Zone Champion!
Schedule
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:30-7:00pm | 5:30-7:00pm | No Practice | 5:30-7:00pm | 5:30-7:00pm | 8:30-10:00am |
Exploration typically practices 5 days/week.
Although swimmers at this age are encouraged to participate in multiple sports and activities, swimmers who qualify for Exploration are expected to show consistent attendace of at least 80%.
Communication with Coach Paul is essential in building a schedule that creates balance whilst setting the stage for these special young swimmers to achieve great things in this group and beyond!
Meets
Exploration members are required to attend most all meets, as they are some of the prime representatives and leaders of our team. Additionally, Exploration and its equivalent 11-14 group, Eclipse, typically participate in one travel meet per season that is restricted to only members of those groups.
Typically, during Short Course season, between August and March, swimmers attend one meet per month, and during Long Course season, between April and July, it is one meet every 2-3 weeks.
For more information on competition opportunities, please check out the Meet Policy section of our team handbook!
Equipment
Swimmers in Exploration are expected to have their own equipment bag with at least:
- Kickboard
- Snorkel
- Fins
- Pull Buoy
- Shirt
- Athletic Shorts
- Shoes
- Mesh Equipment Bag
- Water Bottle
Please note that all of this equipment is not guaranteed to be used at every practice, but can be used at any time, so make sure your swimmer always has it on hand! Particularly shirt, shorts, and shoes at EVERY practice for Warm Up to Swim and other dryland activities!
Skills and Expectations
At this level, swimmers are expected to be competent and competitively legal in all four swimming strokes. Exploration spends time focues on honing the most critical and fundamental aspects of each stroke so that each swimmer has the skills it takes to be successful at all ages in the sport.
Such skills include:
- Consistent Kick
- Body Line
- Breath Timing
- Consistent Kick
- Body Line
- Rotation
- Kick Shape
- Head Position
- Recovery Speed
- Breath Timing
- Kick Timing
- Relaxed Recovery
If you have any questions about Exploration Group, please contact Coach Paul at [email protected]
