The Humboldt Swim Club has five training groups; 3 Age Group Divisions and 2 Senior Programs

Allowing our participants to transition through as their swimming proficiency improves.  Most new swimming members will start in our Developmental group, providing ample opportunities for our coaching staff to evaluate their mastery of the basic skill sets required for the next levels.  While all groups have a mixture of technical stroke expectations, training pace standards, or meet standards, the transition from one group to the other will also require their immediate coach’s recommendation.

 

National

Purpose: High-performance training for athletes pursuing championship meets and collegiate swimming.
Who belongs: Primarily high school athletes; exceptional younger swimmers considered if ready and have Sectional time standards.
Placement: Meets HSC National time standards (currently Senior 2) and demonstrates training maturity, consistency, and race execution. Those not in high school will have higher time standards to meet.
Expectations: ~90% attendance in season (including dryland if offered); all team focus meets; maintain IM and stroke range.
Move-up: From any group once National standards and readiness are met.

Senior

Purpose: Training and competition for all high school swimmers not on National.
Who belongs: Grades 9–12, legal in all strokes, learning to train consistently.
Placement: High school enrollment, reliable practice habits, readiness for 90-minute sessions.
Expectations: ~80% attendance; team meets; growth in IM/off-stroke; steady progress toward National standards.
Move-up: To National when standards and readiness are achieved.

Age Group 1 (Top Age-Group)

Purpose: Top age-group training that prepares athletes for Senior and National.
Who belongs: Typically ages ~11–14 (placement by skill and readiness, not cut times).
Placement:

  • Legal, efficient 200 IM, 200 free
  • Quality turns/finishes; at least 3 dolphin kicks off each wall when appropriate
  • Can hold assigned intervals while keeping technique intact
  • Attendance target ~80–85% and solid training habits (goal setting, meet prep, race review)
    Expectations: All team meets; IMX/IMR depth encouraged; leadership in lanes.
    Move-up: To Senior (age/grade appropriate) or National when National standards are met.

Age Group 2

Purpose: Competitive development with strong emphasis on stroke skills and aerobic habits.
Who belongs: Typically ages ~9–12, building toward AG1/Senior.
Placement: Legal 100 IM; consistent practice behavior; learning pace, send-offs, and simple race plans.
Expectations: 4–5 practices per week as offered; team meets with gradual expansion of events and distances.
Move-up: To AG1 (skill/readiness-based) or to Senior when entering high school. Can move to National later if standards are met.

Developmental

Purpose: On-ramp from lessons to team; safety, confidence, fundamentals.
Who belongs: Typically ages ~6–9 (placement by comfort and readiness).
Placement: Streamline push-offs, 25-yard kick with board, follows coach directions in a group, comfortable in deep water.
Expectations: 5 practices per week, 60% attendance goal. optional intrasquad/novice meets when swimmer and family are ready.
Move-up: To AG2 when strokes/turns are legal and practice readiness is consistent.

 

Move-Up Pathway

Developmental → AG2 → AG1 or Senior → National (from any group once National standards are achieved)

Notes:
• Ages are guidelines; coaches place by skill, readiness, attendance, maturity, and racing needs.
• Move ups typically occur at beginning of September, beginning of January, and beginning of May.