Calvert Aquatics Club
2025-2026 Group Descriptions & Advancement Criteria
The primary goal of group placement is to ensure the swimmer is in the environment most conducive to their long-term development, considering individual needs and progress, which can vary significantly among athletes.
Swimmers must meet all the advancement criteria of the “next” group, and/or have both the previous and future coaches’ recommendations. Coaches will assess a swimmer’s overall development, including physical and mental maturity, training ability, stroke technique, space availability, and, where applicable, meet performance. Complete trust must be placed in the coach to prioritize the best interest of the swimmer while focusing on their athletic development and their overall well-being.
For the Discovery Division Groups, swimmers are eligible for advancement at the end of each cycle (every 8 weeks), but this can also be done at any time the coach deems appropriate. The Discovery coaches closely monitor swimmers’ progress and technique, making practice adjustments to accommodate the group’s and team's needs.
Age Group Division, Junior Division, and Senior Division group swimmers can move up after the LCM summer season (late July / early August) or with coaches' recommendations anytime during the season.
If a swimmer in the Age Group, Junior, or Senior categories fails to meet the established criteria for their assigned group for 60 days or longer, coaches may opt to transfer them to a different group. This decision is made at the coaches’ discretion and involves an individual assessment of each swimmer’s situation.
All CAC swimmers must be registered as athlete swimmers with USA Swimming. (Printable PDF)
| DISCOVERY DIVISION |
| Discovery 3 |
| Age Criteria: 13 & Under |
| To be in this group, swimmers must meet the following criteria:
- Swim 25 freestyle (bilateral breathing is preferred) and 25 backstroke
- Basic understanding of breaststroke and butterfly
- Comfortable with diving (preferably off the starting block)
- Able to blow bubbles and perform 10 consecutive “bobs” on the wall
- Swim meets are not required for this group
- If a new swimmer, a recommendation from the evaluating coach
|
| Discovery 2 |
| Age Criteria: 10 & under |
| To be in this group, swimmers must meet the following criteria:
- Previous and future coaches’ recommendations
- Swim a 25 freestyle (bilateral breathing preferred) and 25 backstroke comfortably
- Basic understanding of breaststroke and dolphin kick
- Comfortable with sitting/kneeling dives off the side of the pool
- Able to blow bubbles and perform 10 consecutive “bobs” on the wall
- 3x days of attendance per week is recommended by the coaching staff
- Home meets are heavily encouraged but not required
- If a new swimmer, a recommendation from the evaluating coach
|
| Discovery 1 |
| Age Criteria: 10 & under |
| To be in this group, swimmers must meet the following criteria:
- Previous and future coaches’ recommendations
- Proficient in all 4 strokes (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle)
- 25 streamline kick on back
- Comfortable with diving off the starting block
- Home meets and away meets are heavily encouraged but not required
- 3x days of attendance per week is recommended by the coaching staff
- If a new swimmer, a recommendation from the evaluating coach
|
| AGE GROUP DIVISION *A swimmer’s age & ability is the primary criterion for the Age Group Division* |
| Yellow |
| Age Criteria: 9-12 years old |
| To be in this group, swimmers must meet the following criteria:
- Must have the recommendation of the previous and future coach.
- Must have a rudimentary ability for all 4 strokes: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly.
- Swimmer must attend as many practices as possible.
- Participation in home meets is expected.
- Participation in any qualified championships in SC and LC is expected.
- Must have the maturity and stamina to endure a longer and more complex practice.
- If a new swimmer, a recommendation from the evaluating coach
|
| Red |
| Age Criteria: 9-12 years old |
| To be in this group, swimmers must meet the following criteria:
- Must have the recommendation of the previous and future coach.
- Must have a legal 25 in all 4 strokes: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly.
- To advance from Yellow, a swimmer must be able to swim 15 x 50 freestyle on the slowest Red interval.
- Swimmer is expected to attend as many practices as possible. The coaching staff recommends a minimum of 4 per week.
- Participation in home meets is expected & participation in away meets is strongly encouraged.
- Participation in any qualified championships in SC and LC is expected.
- Must have the maturity and stamina to endure a longer and more complex practice.
- If a new swimmer, a recommendation from the evaluating coach
|
| JUNIOR DIVISION *A swimmer’s age & ability is the primary criterion for the Junior Division |
| Junior 3 |
| Age Criteria: 12-14 year olds / Middle School |
| To be in this group, swimmers must meet the following criteria:
- Previous and future coaches’ recommendations
- Swim 50 freestyle (bilateral breathing preferred) and 50 backstroke comfortably
- Basic understanding of breaststroke and butterfly
- Home meets and away meets are heavily encouraged but not required
- 3x days of attendance per week is recommended by the coaching staff
- If a new swimmer, a recommendation from the evaluating coach
|
| Junior 2 |
| Age Criteria: 12-14 year olds / Middle School |
| To be in this group, swimmers must meet the following criteria:
- Previous and future coaches’ recommendations
- Have mechanical understanding of all 4 strokes
- Participation in home meets is expected & participation in away meets is strongly encouraged.
- Participate in at least one SCY meet , and one LCY meet
- Commitment to IMR training
- If a new swimmer, a recommendation from the evaluating coach
|
| Junior 1 |
| Age Criteria: 12-14 year olds / Middle School |
| To be in this group, swimmers must meet the following criteria:
- Previous and future coaches’ recommendations
- Swim 10 x 100 Free @ 1:40
- Attend a minimum of 60% of practices per month required for his/her age.
- Attend all eligible swim meets throughout the SC & LC season
- Swim and race a legal 200 IM (100 each stroke).
- Commitment to IMX training
- Actively participate in a 2-hour practice and do dryland training.
- Be physically and mentally mature enough to endure longer practices and understand more complex instructions
- If a new swimmer, a recommendation from the evaluating coach
|
| SENIOR DIVISION A swimmer’s age & ability is the primary criterion for the senior division. |
| Senior 3 |
| Age Criteria: 14+ / High School |
| To be in this group, swimmers must meet the following criteria:
- Previous and future coaches’ recommendations
- Understanding of all 4 strokes (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle)
- Comfortable with diving off the starting block
- Home meets and away meets are heavily encouraged but not required
- 3x days of attendance per week is recommended by the coaching staff
- If a new swimmer, a recommendation from the evaluating coach
|
| Senior 2 |
| Age Criteria: 14+ / High School |
| To be in this group, swimmers must meet the following criteria:
- Previous and future coaches’ recommendations
- Understand mechanics of all 4 strokes
- Legal in minimum 3 out of 4 strokes
- Participation in home meets is expected & participation in away meets is strongly encouraged.
- Participate in high school swimming program
- Highly encouraged to attend CAC practice during high school swim season
- Participate in at least one SCY meet , and one LCY meet
- If a new swimmer, a recommendation from the evaluating coach
|
| Senior 1 |
| Age Criteria: 14+ / High School |
| To be in this group, swimmers must meet the following criteria:
- Expectations contract signed by athlete, athletes parent/guardian & coach
- Swimming is the primary extracurricular activity
- Previous and future coaches’ recommendations
- Swim 10 x 100 Free @ 1:20 (before High School)
- Attend a minimum of 75% of practices per month required for his/her age.
- Attend all eligible swim meets throughout the SC & LC season
- Swim and race a legal 400 IM (100 each stroke).
- Actively participate in a 2-hour practice and do dryland training.
- Be physically and mentally mature enough to endure longer practices and understand more complex instructions
- If a new swimmer, a recommendation from the evaluating coach
|
