Practice Group Descriptions

Lightning - The introductory group to Storm’s competitive program. swimmers are typically ages 10 and under and we would like them to be able to swim 50 yards of freestyle and backstroke and complete 25 yards of breaststroke and butterfly kick.  Swimmers should be able to surface dive to the bottom of the pool and have general comfort jumping in and playing in deep water as well as shallow.  Ideally a swimmer is able to do a shallow dive as well.  To join the lightning group, young swimmers must possess the maturity necessary to take instruction in a group setting. This group offers practices 3 times per week for 1 hour (15 minutes on land, 45 in the water).  Swimmers will be expected to compete in our home meets and end of season meets as level appropriate. 

Required Equipment - as described in welcome email from deck coach

Thunder- Swimmers entering the Thunder group (typically ages 12 and under), should be able to able to complete a 200 of freestyle, 150 of backstroke and breaststroke, a 100 IM and a 100 of butterfly (with fins on).  Swimmers entering this level should know both flip turns and open turns and exhibit proper breaststroke pullouts. Body alignment for all strokes and streamline push-offs should be mastered and more advanced stroke development drills will be introduced. We will also introduce basic goal-setting. This group will meet 4 times per week for 1-1.5 hours per session (longer practices include on deck time as well in water time).  Swimmers at this level are expectec to compete in our home meets and endof season meets as level appropriate.

Required Equipment - as described in welcome email from deck coach

Age Group - This transitional group takes swimmers from our Developmental program and starts preparing them for more dedicated and intense training. Swimmers in this group will typically be at least 10 years old (mainly 11-older). Swimmers entering the Age Group Squad typically have solid swim competition experience and can competently complete sets that include repeats of 100 of freestyle and 100's of IM's.  Training sessions will be more advanced and challenging though stroke development and conditioning. Mastery of the pace clock is expected. This group will meet 4 times per week for 1.5 hrs per session plus additional dryland sessions. 3-4 practices are recommended.  Swimmers are expect to attend YMCA and USA Swim competitions and are additionally expected to attend any/all championship meets that they qualify for.  

Required Equipment- as described in welcome email from deck coach

High School Prep team- Formerly AG1, this group is designed specifically for swimmers that may be starting their competitive swimimng career a bit older and/or have primary aspirations of swimming for their local high schools.  Multi-sport athletes or those that are heavily involved in other extra-curricular activities will find this training squad a nice balance for their busy schedules.  Swimmers in this group should be in 8th grade or above and have working knowledge and competency of all four comopetitive strokes plus ability to complete a racing start and flip turns.  Swimmers at this level will be offered four 1.5 hour water practices per week with a couple of dryland/conditioning sessions.  Swimmers in the High School prep team will have flexibility in their competition program, as agreed upon with their group coach but will be expected to attend competitions at home as well as end of season meets as appropriate.

Required Equipment- as described in welcome email from deck coach

Junior- Designed for swimmers 12-older  who have decided to choose swimming as their primary sport. The swimmer must demonstrate commitment to the sport beyond recreational and social considerations. Dryland activities will focus on flexibility, general physical preparedness and strength development. Swimmers must be able to complete all competition distances for all strokes for the 13-14 age group. The training workload will be increased, so a high level of attendance is required and swimmers are expected to train and compete year-round. Goal setting will focus on both short and long-term goals. This group will meet 5 times per week plus dryland sessions each week. Participation in USA and YMCA swim meets is mandatory to be a part of this group and swimmers are expected to attend all championship meets that they qualify for (including national level meets).

Required Equipment- as described in welcome email from deck coach

Senior- . This group is designed for swimmers who are at least 14 years old (mainly 15-older) and have chosen Storm as their #1 extra-curricular priority and are willing to make sacrifices in other areas to advance their swimming.  Training at this level will be more intensive and the amount of time in the pool will be increased. Our dryland program will focus on flexibility strength and power and attendance is vital to the success of the athletes. This group will have 10 training sessions per week as a combo of water and dryland sessions. Participation in USA and YMCA competitions is mandatory to be in these groups and swimmers are expected to attend all championship meets that they qualify for (including national level meets). 

Required Equipment- as described in welcome email from deck coach

National- The highest level of training in the Storm program. This group is designed for swimmers who are at least 14 years old (mainly 15-older) and have achieved a very high level of performance in this sport.  National team swimmers have chosen Storm as their #1 extra-curricular priority and are willing to make sacrifices in other areas to advance their swimming. The program aims to produce athletes who succeed on the national level while preparing them for swimming collegiately. Training at this level will be more intensive and the amount of training time and commitment to the sport will be increased.  Swimmers on the National team will have 12 training sessions per week, as a combo of water and dryland training each week.