Wahoo Aquatic Club

    The Wahoo Aquatic Club recognizes that training partners and groups are critical to a swimmer’s success. Our coaches and staff foster a balanced program and team, with each swimmer thoughtfully and strategically placed in age- and level-appropriate training groups.

    Swimmers are placed in training groups based on their age at the end of each upcoming season (short course and long course).

    We do not have attendance requirements for any level at the HOOS.  We strongly recommend our swimmers, especially aged 12 & under, to participate in other activities.  However, in order for a swimmer to successfully progress through our program, consistent attendance is necessary.  Year-round swimming does not need to be your child’s only activity, but long-term success at the HOOS requires consistency.

    Attendance recommendations for each group are listed below.

    Wahoos Training Groups/Skill Progression

    Mini- 'HOOS

    Appropriate for swimmers aged 6- 7. Swimmers are: 

    • Taught all 4 strokes and competitive dive
    • Introduced to flipturns
    • Provided age-appropriate instruction and games so they may develop a love for the water

    Attendance recommendation: 2-3 times/week

    The Mini-'HOOS group runs from September through March.  At the conclusion of the season each swimmer will be evaluated to decide if they are ready for promotion to HOOS 1 or if they need another season in the mini-HOOS.  A swimmer may be promoted to HOOS 1 within the season if he/she masters the objectives listed above and the coaches feel they are developmentally ready.  Promotion to HOOS 1 is not guaranteed.

    Swimmers that graduate from the mini-HOOS program in March and are offered a HOOS 1 roster spot have two options:
    1- Accept the HOOS 1 invitation and begin in this group on April 1.
    2- Take a break from Wahoos swimming for the spring and summer and return for try-outs in July.  While we cannot hold a HOOS 1 roster spot if you choose this option, we do give priority to swimmers that have graduated from the mini-HOOS program. 

    'HOOS I

    Appropriate for swimmers aged 8/under. Swimmers are: 

    • Trained to become legal in all strokes for competition
    • Taught drills to enhance stroke refinement while building endurance 
    • Given structure and time to practice the fundamentals: streamlines, turns, dives, proper stroke technique
    • Provided age-appropriate instruction and games so they may develop a love for the water
    • Introduced to dryland for body awareness and athletic development

    Attendance recommendation: 2-3 times/week

    'HOOS II

    Appropriate for swimmers in the 9-10 age group. Swimmers: 

    • Build on skills and techniques learned in HOOS 1
    • Are ideally legal in all 4 strokes before joining the HOOS 2 group.  Exceptions may be made if technique is nearing legal form in one stroke.
    • Further develop technique and endurance for all 4 strokes, starts, and turns
    • Are introduced to racing strategies, including mental preparation and physical practice 
    • Foster their love for the water through age-appropriate instruction and games
    • Practice dryland exercises for body awareness and athletic development
    • Swimmers graduating from HOOS 2 must be able to legally complete a 75 swim of all 4 competitive strokes; execute a shallow racing dive; and perform all turns legally to move on to HOOS 3.
    • Swimmers graduating from HOOS 2 must be able to kick (flutter and dolphin) on back in streamline for 100 yards at a time to move on to HOOS 3

    Attendance recommendation: 3-4 times/week

    'HOOS III

    Appropriate for swimmers in the 11-12 age group. Swimmers:

    • Must be able to legally complete a 75 swim of all 4 competitive strokes upon joining the HOOS 3 group
    • Must be able to kick (flutter and dolphin) on back in streamline for 100 yards at a time upon joining the HOOS 3 group
    • Continuously improve technique in all 4 strokes, starts, and turns. Mastery of all HOOS drills is expected.​
    • Begin more demanding pool training, with an introduction to different energy systems
    • Are introduced to formal goal-setting and accountability
    • Employ more focused race strategies 
    • Expand dryland scope to build strength, prevent injury, and serve as cross-training.  Swimmers are introduced to autonomy in off-campus runs.  Swimmers must display the maturity to run off-campus independently.

    Attendance recommendation: 3-5 times/week

    'HOOS IV

    Appropriate for swimmers aged 13/over. Swimmers: 

    • Must be able to train all 4 competitive strokes for up to 100 yards at a time
    • Must be able to complete the minimum training standards: 10 x 100 Freestyle on 1:30; 10 x 100 Freestyle kick with board on 2:00
    • Perfect technique in all 4 strokes, starts, and turns
    • Increase their physical workload at practice.  Swimmers are expected to understand the different energy systems and the purpose of each workout
    • Are taught goal-setting and accountability 2.0
    • Take ownership of their racing strategies 
    • Continue dryland to build strength, prevent injury, and cross-train. Autonomy in off-campus runs is mandatory.
    • Contribute to the Wahoos culture: HOOS IV swimmers are expected to not only abide by the team rules, but to actively lead and teach others. 

    Attendance recommendation: 3-6+ times/week

    Sibling Policy
    Current Wahoo's siblings trying out will receive priority for any available roster spot on the team assuming they meet the expectations of the group.  If the age group/roster group is full, we will not be able to take a sibling. Most importantly, siblings that are interested in joining the HOOS must meet the criteria for the roster group as outlined above.