Diamond State Aquatics: Practice Group Descriptions
Our comprehensive training program has been designed for swimmers of all ages to progress through the levels of competitive swimming. Each group builds towards the next as swimmers advance through the program, incorporating new skills, training methods, and goals along the way.
We recognize each athlete has their own individual development timeline when determining their group placement. Our experienced coaches will continually evaluate each swimmer to ensure they are in the appropriate group throughout their swimming journey.
Your group placement is YOUR LAUNCHPAD and NOT your ceiling.
Each group’s requirements are a starting point enabling athletes of similar skill and commitment levels to grow together. There is no limit to how much you can improve in the group you are in.
The descriptions below are brief overviews of each group. The below linked document outlines the required and suggested competencies for each of our groups in more detail. The listed age ranges are flexible based on an individual swimmer’s abilities.
Diamond State Aquatics Group Criteria
Bronze Group (Ages 8 and Under)
September to May
Offered at: Middletown & Wilmington
The Bronze Group is an introduction to competitive swimming. Practices will focus on learning the mechanics of the competitive strokes and introduce the fundamentals of endurance and racing. Participants are expected to be legal in Freestyle and Backstroke and able to complete a 50 Freestyle and 50 Backstroke.
Practices Offered: 4 per week
Suggested Attendance: 2-3 per typical week
Silver Group (Ages 9-10)
September to May
Offered at: Middletown & Wilmington
The Silver Group is designed to advance athletes' abilities as they develop into competitive swimmers. Practices will refine mechanics for all four competitive strokes, turns, and starts while building endurance and racing skills. Participants must be legal in Freestyle and Backstroke and should be legal in Breaststroke and Butterfly. Swimmers must be able to complete a 100 Freestyle and a 100 Backstroke.
Practices Offered: 4 per week
Suggested Attendance: 2-3 per typical week
Gold I & II Groups (Ages 11-12)
September to May (Summer Option Available)
Offered at: Middletown & Wilmington
The Gold I & II groups are designed to expand a swimmer's development with increased training intensity. Practices will focus on endurance training while building on mechanics and racing technique. Athletes begin to learn how to set attainable goals and the steps needed to achieve them. Coaches will place swimmers into Gold I or Gold II based on ability and commitment.
Practices Offered: 5 per week
Gold I Suggested Attendance: 3-4 per typical week
Gold II Required Attendance: 4 per typical week
Junior I & II Groups (Ages 13-14)
September to May (Summer Option Available)
Offered at: Middletown & Wilmington
The Junior I & II groups are designed to prepare athletes for senior level swimming. Training will have a balanced emphasis on conditioning, competitive racing, and stroke mechanics. Dry-land training will be incorporated to improve core stability, flexibility, and injury prevention. Coaches will place swimmers into Junior I or Junior II based on ability and commitment.
Practices Offered: 5 per week
Junior I Suggested Attendance: 3-4 per typical week
Junior II Required Attendance: 4 per typical week
Senior Group (Ages 15-19)
September to July
Offered at: Middletown & Wilmington
The Senior Group is for swimmers that enjoy the sport and aim to be competitive on a local level. Training is endurance-based with mechanics, stroke instruction, and a focus on refining racing techniques. Swimmers will continue to build on dry-land training with a focus on core stability, flexibility, and injury prevention. Coaches will assist the swimmers in goal setting with an encouragement to move into the Senior Elite Group if desired.
Practices Offered: 5/6 per week
Suggested Attendance: 4-5 per typical week
Senior Elite Group (Ages 15-19)
September to July
Offered at: Wilmington Only
The Senior Elite Group is the top training group in the program. The group is designed for swimmers aspiring to reach the highest levels of competitive swimming. Training will be primarily conditioning based with an emphasis on competitive racing, while also focusing on proper mechanics and individualized stroke guidance. Dry-land training will be heavily incorporated into the program with an emphasis on core stability, flexibility, and injury prevention. Coaches will discuss goal setting, proper nutrition, and time management to develop a well-rounded athlete. Placement into this group requires coach's approval.
Practices Offered: 8 per week
Required Attendance: 80% average
