Welcome! AST is open to all swimmers ages 4-18!
The future of our team is grounded in capturing the enthusiasm and spirit of swimmers at the youngest age possible including Mini-Gators!
What are mini-gators?
Mini-Gators is a foundational swim program that develops the skills and stamina necessary to become a Gator while learning in a safe, supported and fun environment.
Is my child a Mini Gator or a Gator?
We know that each child learns at their own pace; and for each child’s safety, development, and the efficiency of practices, we must make some distinctions regarding capabilities and skills.
AST Coaches will evaluate your Gator's capabilities and skills and gladly answer your questions. Information about evaluations are closer to the bottom of this page.
Mini-Gator Skills
Assisted Swimming:
- Capable of leaving the parent and get into the water, and work one-on-one with an assistant and/or with other mini-gators.
- Capable of fully submerging their head in the water for 5 seconds.
- Capable of standing on their own in the shallow end water without holding onto someone else’s hand.
- Capable of propelling themselves for short distances in any style.
Emotional:
- Capable of listening skills and the ability to follow a coach's instructions.
- Capable and willing to work one-on-one with an assistant and/or in a group setting.
All swimmers six and under must register for the mini-gator program. If your swimmer is 6U and can swim across the pool twice unassisted, please contact us at [email protected] for an AST Coach evalutation. We want to work with your child while providing a safe and fun experience!
Gator Skills
Unassisted Swimming:
- Capable of swimming a 25-meter freestyle without stopping or standing.
- Capable of immediately following the 25-meter freestyle with another 25-meter swim, any style.
- Capable of practicing for approximately 1 hour to include lap swimming, drylands, group activities, or other activities to enhance swimming performance.
Emotional:
- Capable of listening skills and the ability to follow a coach's instructions.
- Capable of working in a larger team environment (ratio 1 coach to approximately 15 swimmers) with no one-on-one attention and using proper manners to ask the coach for further clarification.
- A desire and commitment to swim/practice for approximately 1 hour.
If your swimmer is 7 or 8 years of age and can consistently swim across the pool for a 30 minute practice, please register for the swim team. If you're unsure, email [email protected] for an evaluation or additional questions.
Who, what, when and where are evaluations?
Bring your new Gator to the Moyaone pool during the first week of swim, to be evaluated and placed in the correct Gator group.
Tuesdays & Thursdays
4:30-5:00 PM for ages 4-8 Mini-gators
Monday through Friday
5:00 to 6:00 PM for ages 8-12
6:00 to 7:00 PM for ages 13-18
What are policies for evaluations?
1. Returning Gators do not need an evaluation and will attend practice within their age group or skill set.
2. New Gators and Mini-gators will have a low pressure, one time evaluation for team placement.
3. New Gators and Mini-gators will receive a link to register once the evaluation is complete.
4. An assistant must be in the water with the mini-gator during the evaluations.
5. Assistants are AST Coaches and Gators ages 12-18.
6. As certified lifeguards, AST Coaches will provide the evaluations and have sole discretion for team placement.
What are the policies for mini-gator swim practices:
1. An AST coach or assistant coach will be present at all practices.
2. An assistant must be in the water with the mini-gator during practice.
3. Assistants are AST Coaches, and Gators ages 12-18.
4. Parents must remain on deck and present during mini-gator practice.
5. AST reserves the right to limit the size of our mini-gator team.
If your child is not ready for mini-gators consider informal (parent led) or formal swimming lessons. The Moyaone Pool does offer swim lessons with certified swimming instructors. Please visit https://www.moyaone.org/pool/ for more information.
