Training Groups
The Clemson Aquatic Team offers a variety of training levels for all athletes. From the novice swimmer to the most advanced, CAT is able to provide the education and training needed for athletes to achieve their goals.
The Head Coach approves all group assignments based on her expertise.
As the athletes progress in their training and ability, they will be promoted to the next level training group. Each progressive training group will require more time of the athletes and their families to insure continuity in training and continued achievement. While evaluations are ongoing daily, group moves will be made after the spring champs season (end of March) and after the summer champs season (end of July) unless unique circumstances present themselves. Families will always be contacted before moves are made.
HydroTigers
For our new and novice younger swimmers. A heavy focus with this group on stroke technique, with the goal being four legal strokes; freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Lots of teaching, drills and fundamental work to the sport of swimming. Come get your feet wet and learn with your friends about what swimming can offer! Swimmers need to have a basic understanding of the sport, able to swim freestyle and be comfortable in the water.
Equipment Requirements: Kickboard, long fins (TYR Flexfins 2.0 or equivalent), goggles (2 pairs), a team cap, and a water bottle.
Attendance: 2 out of the 3 practices offered weekly
Meets: Encouraged, especially local meets and the CAT hosted meets
Juniors
Swimmers must be able to complete a 100 IM legally. This group focuses on proper technique and details as well as a strong emphasis on strengthening our kick. We will introduce goal setting and strongly encourage swimmers to attend as many meets as possible.
Equipment Requirements: Kickboard, long fins, snorkel, nose clip, goggles (2 pairs), a team cap, and a water bottle.
Attendance: 3 out of the 4 practices offered weekly
Meets: Encouraged, especially local meets and the CAT hosted meets
Advanced Juniors
Swimmers in this group are able to swim a 200 IM legally. The goal of the swimmers in Advanced Juniors will be to continue to build strong stroke technique, gain endurance, and learning race strategy.
Equipment Requirements: Tempo trainers, pull buoy, paddles, kickboard, long fins, snorkel, nose clip, goggles (2 pairs), a team cap, and a water bottle.
Attendance: 4 out of 5 practices offered weekly.
Meets: Strongly encouraged for athletes to attend all meets (local and travel).
Seniors
For those athletes that have made the commitment to swimming as their sport and activity. The goal is to refine stroke technique to maximum efficiency and blend in speed and conditioning to allow for high performance at competitions. Rigorous training every day and wide use of equipment and conditioning methods to supplement the swimming portion of training. Morning and afternoon training sessions offered and strongly encouraged for best results. This group helps to show young people the skills and abilities for personal growth and development in AND out of the pool.
Equipment Requirements: Kickboard, training fins (short and long), tempo trainer, snorkel, pull buoy, paddles (two sets: one large, one small), water bottle, cap, goggles. Drag Suits are encouraged, for both boys and girls, but not required. Nose clip; encouraged but not required for backstroke work.
Attendance: 85% of practices offered, 5 or more practices a week
Meets: All meets (local and travel) are strongly encouraged.
