Practice Groups

PWAC is an ability-based program structured to support the progression of all swimmers.  

To advance, swimmers must demonstrate their ability to handle the next level of training.  We find that moving a swimmer to the next training group before they are ready, physically and emotionally, is counterproductive to their success.  

Rookies

The Rookies program is for swimmers who already have basic swimming skills but want to learn to swim competitively. 

Swimmers must be able to swim the length of the pool (25 yards) with their faces in the water without holding on to something.  Swimmers should also be able to float on their back and kick for a distance of 25 yards.  They do NOT need to breathe rhythmically or know breaststroke or butterfly.  The rookies are learning the foundations of each stroke.  

The program is designed to introduce and prepare kids for competitive swimming by:

• Engaging kids in the sport of swimming at a young age.
• Developing knowledge of proper mechanics and water safety.
• Preparing swimmers to train by familiarizing swimmers with stroke-specific drills & starts.

Futures

This group will act as a stepping stone from the Rookie group into the JV group.   Futures swimmers will swim alongside the Rookies for the first hour of practice.  The Futures swimmers will then stay for an additional half-hour of practice to increase skill, strength and endurance.

JV

This group is for beginner to intermediate swimmers.  The JV group comprises swimmers who can perform three of the four competitive strokes and a standing dive from the side of the pool.  These swimmers will be introduced to flip-turns, diving from the block, and the concept of a “set.”  A set is a group of drills varying in distance and speed over multiple laps – each practice contains numerous sets.  JV swimmers must be able to listen and be willing to take direction.

Varsity

This group is for intermediate to advanced swimmers.   In addition to the skills described under the JV group, these swimmers must be able to dive from the blocks, read a pace clock, and are expected to be able to complete training sets in their entirety.  The Varsity group consists of swimmers that demonstrate a commitment to the sport and a desire to improve. They are dedicated and dependable. 

Advanced

This is an ability-based training group for advanced swimmers who are dedicated to the sport.  Participation in this group requires a significant time commitment.   The practices and training plans are structured to develop swimmers that qualify for competition at the regional and national levels.  Qualifying swimmers are expected to attend these meets, and all swimmers in the group should attend a minimum of 80% of the practices.  Participation in this training group is at the discretion of PWAC's head coaches.