Practice Groups 2025-26

Tropical Storms (2-3 practices a week recommended)
This is our entry level group, swimmers must be able to swim free & back for a 25. This group will teach
the other 2 strokes (Breast &Fly) while introducing flip turns/open turns.

Cat 1 (2-3 practices a week recommended)
This group is intended for standard 8&under, 9-10 year olds who are new to swimming/not legal in all 4
strokes. The focus of this group is to master all 4 strokes and turns, while introducing what it takes to
complete a full workout (intervals, set structure and meaning) and small introduction to season planning.

Cat 2 (2-4 practices a week recommended)
This is our standard 9-10 age group, advanced 8 year olds, and 11 year olds who are new to the sport or
not legal in all 4 strokes. This group is aimed to master what it takes to complete workouts, while being
introduced to race strategies, season planning, and an understanding of the sport.

Cat 3 (3-5 practices recommended)
This is our standard 11-12 group that includes advanced 10 year olds and 13 year olds who may be new
to the sport or not legal in all 4 strokes. This group will continue learning race strategies, develop an
understanding of season planning, and have general knowledge of the sport of swimming.

Cat 4-Orange (4-5 practices recommended)
This is our standard 13-14 group that includes advanced 12 year olds and 15 year olds new to the sport
of swimming. This group will start to create personalized race strategies that work for individual
swimmers and have an understanding of the different parts of a swim season and what’s expected. There
will be a focus on improving techniques to allow an increase in training.

Cat 4-Silver (5-6 practices recommended)
Swimmers in this group will be able to attend mornings as needed and double once or twice a week with
coach approval. Alternatively, they may attend practice in the afternoons. This group is intended to
push our more advanced 13-14 year olds looking to swim in college and/or compete at State and
National level competition, while learning the same principles as Cat 4-Orange.

Cat 5-Orange (5-7 practices recommended)
Swimmers in this group have the flexibility to choose mornings or afternoons to open themselves up for
other activities. This group is for age 15+ who are experienced in year-round swimming or understand
the commitment a senior group takes. This group will introduce different styles of training, improve
upon racing strategies, and continue perfecting techniques to become well rounded competitive
swimmers.

Cat 5-Silver (7-8 practices recommended)
This group is for State and National champ level athletes who are looking to take the next step. In
addition to the higher number of recommended practices, this group will have a specific strength and
conditioning program to follow. This group will work alongside Cat 5-Orange, but workouts will be
harder and focused on more advanced training strategies and techniques.