TIDALWAVE GROUP DESCRIPTIONS
RIPTIDES
Ages 4 - 8
Beginner Riptides: Swimmers 4-8 years old should be able to swim 15 meters of the pool swimming freestyle. Athletes in this age group focus mainly on learning four legal competitive strokes, having fun, and perfecting start and turn technique.
Advanced Riptides Swimmers 6-8 years old should be able to swim 1 length of the pool swimming freestyle (front crawl) with good form and demonstrating rotary breathing, or an attempt to rotary breathe. Athletes in this age group focus mainly on learning four legal competitive strokes, having fun, and perfecting start and turn technique.
MINNOWS
Ages 9 - 10
Beginner Minnows: 9/10 Swimmers should be able to swim 1 length of the pool swimming freestyle (front crawl) with good form and demonstrating rotary breathing, or an attempt to rotary breathe. Athletes in this age group focus mainly on learning four legal competitive strokes, having fun, and perfecting start and turn technique. They progress through the season, where they begin to train with basic set intervals while continuing to focus mainly on technique.
Advanced Minnows: 9/10 Swimmers are able to perform all 4 competitive strokes, can be dive certified from the starting block, can complete a 50 meter freestyle in 50 seconds or less or by Coach recommendation.
DOLPHINS
Age 11 - 17
Swimmers at this age should be able to perform two strokes legally. Athletes are progressing where they have begun to train with basic set intervals while continuing to focus mainly on technique. Swimmers are able to demonstrate that they are able to follow instructions, and exhibit self control and good listening skills during practices. Swimmer in this group are focused on time improvement and have not yet achieved a time standard for a championship meet. The emphasis of this group is also on mastering the following skills necessary to be successful competitive swimmers: training etiquette, advanced stroke mechanics, race strategies, goal setting, proper nutrition, mental preparation, and the ability to handle increasing training workloads. Developing consistent and committed training habits is a priority in this group. Swimmers will participate in a dryland program to help develop strength in their core, shoulders, legs, and overall body control and coordination. Swimemrs in this group will strive to achieve a BB motivational time standard for their age in group in the 50 Free and 500 Free. Swimmers aim to advance to the Shark level.
JR. SHARKS
Ages 9-11
Minimum age for entry into this group is 9 years old, this group is designed for swimmers 9-11 and prepares them for YMCA and USA swimming state, regionals and sectional levels of competition. Acceptance into this group is specific site space and as determined by the Tidalwaves coaches. The emphasis of this group will be on developing aerobic capacity through increased volume, intensity, and kicking. Development of progressive stroke technique, race strategies, creating proper nutrition habits, individual goal setting and understanding the importance of proper mental preparation. Training will also include a specifically designed dry land conditioning program. Swimmers in this group understand that swimming is the main activities thereby meet and practice attendance is the main focus.
SHARKS
Ages 12 - 14
Minimum age for entry into this group is 12 years old. The is our most advacned age group training level, it is designed for swimmers ready to commit to an intense training schedule and athletes entering this group must display a desire to begin training on a more committed basis. Competition at swim meets is expected in this group and USA swimming competition is also expected. Training takes precedence over technique work for the first time in the athlete's development. Athletes in this group train for the 200 Individual Medley and 500 Freestyles, participate in dryland training and are committed to growth and development. Please note that this group does not include all middle school aged swimmers. All swimmers are placed into their appropriate groups. Swimmers in this group must have YMCA Regional qualifications, USA state qualifications or Sectional qualifications. Swimmers aim to advance to the Senior II level.
SENIORS II
Age 12 - 18
The Senior II Group is for our 12-15 & Over swimmers generally at the South Carolina Swimming State Championship level. This is a highly committed group focused on learning how to achieve at the senior level of the sport. At this point, swimming is becoming one of your main activities thereby meet and practice attendance is becoming more important to include the summer months. Vacations and other activities are encouraged to be taken in balance with the swimming practice and meet schedule. This training group should begin to take a higher priority in instances of conflict with outside activities. Admittance AND continuation in the group is by invitation only, based on coach considerations/decisions and will be based on, but not limited to, proven commitment, attendance, ability and work ethic, time management, high character standards, and willingness to adapt/adjust. This group focuses on each athlete’s needs to excel in the sport. Technique and dryland skills are an integral part of the program to help the athlete reach their potential. This group practices up to six times per week. Senior II Level swimmers should aim to advance to the Senior I Level.
SENIORS I
Age 15 & Over
The Senior I Group is for 15-Over swimmers generally at the YMCA National level and/or with comparability to the current training level of the group. (“Generally at the YMCA National level” is defined as athletes within 3-5% of a YMCA National Championship standard.)This is a maximum commitment, high achieving training group where swimming is a mainstay in their life. Vacations and other activities are planned around cthe practice and meet schedule. Attending meets and practices are crucial, expected, and monitored to maintain the integrity of this culture. The focus of this group is to prepare athletes for national and international levels of competition while giving them the tools to be successful in collegiate swimming if they choose to do so. Admittance AND continuation in the group is by invitation only, based on coach considerations/decisions and will be based on, but not limited to: Comparability to the current training level of the group, proven commitment, attendance, ability and work ethic, time management, high character standards, and willingness to adapt/adjust. This group focuses on each athletes need to excel in the sport. Technique and dryland skills are an integral part of the program to help the athlete reach their potential. Focus Meets for this group include: Capital Classic, Junior Nationals, YMCA Nationals, Designated Summer Championship Meet, USA Nationals, Olympic Trials.
Please contact the Head Coach to schedule placement
