Bulldog Swim Club

Competitive Groups

• - Previous swim team or Pre Team experience is recommended for these groups.

• - We recommend 3 – 5 practices per week for all of the following groups which are part of our USA Swimming club.

• - All of these groups are taught in our Olympic Pool.

•  - Participation in our bi-monthly intra-squad meets is expected. Participation in USA swim meets is strongly and regularly encouraged.

• - All swimmers in these groups and must be a member of USA Swimming.   Failure to register may result in your athlete being moved into a non-competitive group until your registration can be confirmed (no fee adjustments or refunds given).

• -Athletes with long hair (at or below shoulders) must wear caps for practices and for competition. 

• - No swimshirts or rash guards during practices or for competition (effective 10/24/2016)

• - Practice groups are assigned at the beginning of each session. Swimmers must practice only with the group they are assigned. Promotions can occur mid-session with  our  Head  Coach’s  approval  only.

• - Late Bronze & Silver practice options are to help your athlete make at least 3x practices each week.  Late practice is not the same as practicing in the afternoon with the group your athlete is assigned to.  Do not sign up for these groups if these will be your primary-exclusive times to attend.  The late practice option is not available during summer session.

• - When your athlete is interested in sanctioned competition please CLICK HERE (login will be required) to review the competition page on our site and to access any of the applicable links there. 

• - Learn about first meet OME snags that can occur.

  Bronze Group (Ages 7 – 11)
  The goal of this group is to develop proper stroke in all four competitive strokes. Racing dives and turns will also be emphasized. This introductory level into USA swimming will also focus on building an aerobic base and learning racing techniques.

• Prerequisite: participants in this group must be able to swim a continuous 100 IM within USA Swimming Rules and be able to do 6x25 freestyle kick on a 45 second interval with ease. You may attend any of the 9 practices offered throughout the week (late practices will not be offered in summer).   GEAR REQUIRED:  Fins

  Silver  Group  (Ages  8  –  12)

  The goal of this group is to improve stroke technique as well as learn the fundamentals of training sets and racing techniques. Athletes will be introduced to using the pace clock, the rules of competition and will continue to increase their aerobic base.

• Prerequisite: participants must be able to complete 5 x 100 Freestyle on a 2:30 interval, be able to swim a 200 IM within USA Swimming Rules and be able to do 6x25 freestyle kick on a 40 second interval with ease. You may attend any of the 9 practices offered throughout the week (late practices will not be offered in summer).   GEAR REQUIRED: Fins

  Silver  Advanced  (Ages  9  –  14)

  The  goal  of  this  group  is  improvement  at  USA  swim  meets.  In  order  to  achieve  this  goal  we  will  work  on   refining  stroke  technique,  improving  aerobic  endurance  and  developing  speed.      

• Prerequisite:    participants   must  be  able  to  complete  5  x  100  Freestyle  on  a  2:00  interval;  5  x  100  IM  on  a  2:20  interval; andbe able to do 8x25 freestyle kick on a 35 second interval with ease .   GEAR REQUIRED:  Fins

  Gold (Ages 11 – 18)
  The goal of this group is improvement at USA swim meets and preparation for high school swimming. Athletes continue to enhance their stroke technique but now workouts are more focused on increasing each swimmer’s  aerobic  capacity  and  developing  speed  in  all  four  strokes.  

• Prerequisites: participants must be willing to commit to attending a minimum of 70% attendance at practices and attend at least one USA meet every eight weeks.  Must be able to complete 8 x 100 Freestyle on a 1:45 interval and 8 x 100 IM on a 2:00 interval. Must be able to read-understand pace clock and intervals.  Must have maturity and work ethic which will be complimentary to the group.   Athletes in this group are expected to provide their own: center mount snorkel; training fins; and, hand paddles.  CLICK HERE TO VIEW COACH PICKS OF SOME OF THESE GEAR ITEMS.  If you are not sure what size, brand or model to get when selecting equipment please discuss it with the coach before you buy.  CLICK HERE TO FIND REPLACEMENT PURGE VALVE FOR FINIS SNORKELS