At EAST we practice in 4 groups:

Beginner group: This group is intended for young swimmers that aspire to compete but are not yet ready for the competitive swimming meets.

Developmental Group: The Developmental level is structured to provide a strong foundation of swimming skills upon which increasing levels of endurance and advanced technique will be built.   As swimmers progress between these levels, practice length and frequency will increase.  They are mostly new to swimming and are laying a basic foundation upon which to build work habits and advanced technique.  Outside of physical skills, these groups are also learning about the rhythm and flow of practices, tracking their times, utilizing the pace clock, and working together with other swimmers in a team atmosphere.

As swimmers progress to the Junior (J) and Senior (S) groups, a stronger emphasis is placed on ability and speed in determining appropriate level.  This is due to the nature of practice structure and the need to maintain flow during a workout. 

Junior group: swimmers continue to gain experience in competitive swimming and practice, however at EAST we believe that achievement ought never to be measured by swimming times alone. For these kids, success is more often found in improved confidence, stroke and technique mastery, and in a smile. 

Senior group: swimmers are the most advanced practice group, and practices are structured to provide swimmers with the necessarily skills and abilities to compete at the highest levels of competitive swimming. Both the Junior and Senior groups focus on the needs of pre-teen and teenage swimmers and the opportunities available to these kids.  Training yardage and intensity will climb steadily for the swimmers in these groups.

Swimmers are invited to each successive group after demonstrating the necessary skills, endurance, and maturity to advance.  Progression from one level to another is based on the evaluation of the coaching staff and may involve input from the booster leadership.  It is expected that parents will respect the decision of the Head Coach with regard to their child’s placement and understand that decisions are made with concern and care for the best interest of each swimmer.