HYDRA Aquatics was started in September 2019 at the American School of Doha to provide a not-for-profit, inclusive swimming program for swimmers of all ages and abilities. HYDRA Aquatics provides learn-to-swim programming for children, youth, and adults. It also provides elite competitive swimming and masters swimming programming. Learn to swim is provided through the FUNdamentals, and Learn to Swim for Adults and Teens.
FUNdamentals OF SWIMMING
FUNdamentals is the core of the program and this program teaches children how to swim and be safe in a fun, challenging environment. Lots of in-water practice helps develop solid swimming strokes and skills on which to build. These programs run for 40 minutes 2 times per week. Progressions accommodate children from the ages of 4 to 12 years of age with progression based on each child’s development, both physically as well as social-emotionally rather than their chronological age. Children progressing through the FUNdamentals can move into HYDRA’s Competitive stream.
1. 2 sessions/week *** 40 minutes per class *** 1:6 coach - swimmer ratio
2. Runs 6 days per week (Saturday - Thursday)
3. Days are linked in pairs (Saturday/Tuesday; Sunday/Wednesday; Monday/Thursday)
4. Coaches are consistent through the term with their respective class
5. Class offered 4:15 - 4:55; 5:00 - 5:40 and 5:45 - 6:25 p.m. 4 days a week and 4:15 - 4:55 and 5:00 - 5:40, 2 days a week
These are the grading criteria for each level. Other factors may be considered when moving a swimmer up to any level including maturity, strength, and coachability, which can be viewed as the swimmer’s ability to listen to and act on constructive feedback.
LEARN TO SWIM FOR TEENS AND ADULTS
These programs are for beginners who may be starting out or swimmers who want help to develop their strokes. These sessions run for 40 minutes two times per week. These classes are for 15 and over swimmers including adults who are learning to swim.
LEARN TO SWIM for Adult - older FUNdamentals types
1. 2 sessions per week *** 40 minutes per class *** 1:6 coach - swimmer ratio
2. Runs 2 days per week (Sunday and Wednesday)
3. Coaches are consistent with each group for the Season
4. Class is offered 5:45 - 6:25 p.m.
COMPETITIVE SWIMMING
The competitive progression of HYDRA Aquatics is provided in 4 steps. Pre-competitive, Junior Competitive, Senior Competitive, and Masters.
COMPETITIVE SWIMMING: Once the foundational skills of swimming are all the strokes are set through the FUNdamentals program swimmers are encouraged to move into the competitive stream. Swimmers will progress through a series of levels designed to recognize skill development and training capacity. Racing opportunities will be introduced with an increasing focus on performance and race readiness.
PRE-COMPETITIVE - introducing train to train principles
1. 3 sessions/week *** 60 minutes per practice *** 1:10 coach-swimmer ratio
2. Runs 6 days per week in two separate 3-session groups
3. Training days are linked to Saturday/Monday/Wednesday or Sunday/Tuesday/Thursday
4. Coaches are consistent for each grouping through the Season
5. A class schedule is provided during registration.
6. Maximum capacity (2 sessions/Season X 30 swimmer) = 60 swimmers
7. Racing in one local competition plus any HYDRA-hosted competitions per 12-week Season to be offered to all swimmers. Primarily focused on 50m distances of all strokes in racing.
8. There will be entrance standards for the pre-competitive group - these will be assessed prior to entry into the group at the start of the Season
- Slightly different performance and age standards to allow for progression toward Junior Competitive
- Minimum 8 years of age
- Completion of Fundamentals Level 5, Become a Better Swimmer 3 or by assessment.
- Ability to swim 100 IM with proper turns
- Free and Fly kick 50m in less than 90 seconds
- Swim continuously for 300m
JUNIOR COMPETITIVE - Build on the train to train and compete more often
1. 6 sessions per week *** 90/105 or 120 minutes per practice *** 1:15 coach-swimmer ratio
2. Runs 6 days per week
3. Friday is a day off
4. Coaches rotate some - Coach Alex leads the workouts and writes the programming
5. Practice timing and schedule is variable by Season and during the week.
6. Maximum capacity (2 groups X 30 swimmers) = 60 swimmers -
7. Competition schedule of approximately 10 racing opportunities per year including at least one travel meet. Introduction of 100 and 200m races of all strokes.
8. Entrance standards for Junior Competitive:
- Split into two groups (Blue and Gold)
- Different performance standards working towards entrance into the Senior Group
- Progression from Blue to Gold to Senior
- 8 - 11 years (Blue) or 10 - 14 years (Gold)
- Commitment to 4 sessions per week
- Swimmers may be encouraged to move to Teen Swim if they are not committed to the full program.
- Complete a 200 IM with legal turns
- Complete 8 X 50 kick (free or fly) on 1:30
- Swim 400m free in less than 8:00
- Minimum 3 events with a B standard on the USA Swimming Motivational Times listing for the corresponding age group (single age group) https://www.usaswimming.org/Home/times/time-standards
SENIOR COMPETITIVE - Train to compete and train to win
1. 9 sessions per week including dedicated dryland sessions
2. Runs 6 days per week
3. Group is together for all sessions - Friday off
4. Jeff is the primary coach with assistants throughout the week. Jeff writes programming
5. Five afternoons and four-morning sessions
6. Maximum capacity is 30 swimmers
7. Competition schedule of approximately 12 racing opportunities per year including at least 2 travel meets. Racing all strokes and distances. Training camps may be offered.
8. Entrance standards for Senior Competitive group:
- Minimum of 12 years of age
- Commitment to 6 sessions per week
- Complete a 200 IM under 2:50 (women); 2:42 (men) - short course meters
- Complete 6 X 100 kick @ 2:15 (free or fly kick)
- Swim 400m free in less than 6:00
- Minimum 3 events with a BB standard on the USA Swimming Motivational Times listing for the corresponding age group (single age group) https://www.usaswimming.org/Home/times/time-standards
MASTERS – Regular training for adults. Aimed towards those interested in training in a structured environment.
- 2 sessions/week 60 minutes per practice 1:12 coach–swimmer ratio
- Either evenings or mornings depending on staffing and pool time
- Coaches may change.
- The primary focus of the training will be on triathletes so freestyle-based, technique, and fitness-balanced workouts.
