Group
Objectives: Bronze 1 & Bronze 2
Bronze
1 & Bronze 2 are training groups that emphasize the
further development of swimming skills. The focus is on keeping the
sessions fun so that kidswill want to stay in the water year-round
and develop a good feel for the water. We stress fundamental
swimming skills: sculling, turns, kicking, underwater efficiency
and distance-per-stroke. We teach young people to love the water
and have fun learning how to master the fundamental
skills.
Group Objectives: Silver 1
& Silver 2
The Silver 1
and Silver 2 groups are for swimmers who are ready for the
next level of swim training. Swimmers are encouraged to meet higher
attendance expectations (3-4 times per week), and swim throughout
the year while still participating in other sports activities. Our
training emphasis at this stage is on low intensity aerobic stroke
efficiency work. Athletes are also educated in race planning and
goal setting. A great emphasis is placed on kicking; drills, starts
and turns; we learn that hard work and competition are fun, and
that it’s okay to try new ideas
Group Objectives: Gold 1 & Gold 2
The Gold
Group is for the swimmer who is able to swim all four
strokes well and maintain good technique on low intensity interval
sets. This group “launches” off of the base of
fundamentals that has been laid down in previous years. It is
important that the technique mastered not be permitted to
deteriorate under increased training loads A more equal emphasis is
placed on physiological training and technique work. Swimmers are
encouraged to attend no less than 5x per week.
Group Objectives: Pre-Senior
Pre-Senior is where we expect the swimmers to
be mentally driven to train hard. Proper stroke and turn techniques
have become habitually consistent, allowing more emphasis to be
placed on physiological training. The age range of 13-16 is known
as the “window of opportunity” for developing aerobic
capacity, and we provide the opportunity for more threshold and
anaerobic training. Swimmers are encouraged to attend practices as
often as possible, and morning workouts are offered year-round for
the top-level group. Dryland training is an important element of
these groups with a focus on core body conditioning, flexibility
and basic weight lifting techniques.
Group Objectives: Senior
Senior
represents the highest level of training for athletes who have the
appropriate dedication, experience and desire to compete at the
regional and national level. The training is distance-oriented and
very demanding. Swimmers learn how to train the various energy
systems and are encouraged to train for and compete in a wide
variety of events to best prepare them for success in their
collegiate years. The commitment level of this group is very high,
with swimmers expected to attend 90-100% of the practices
year-round. Strength training is a standard part of the program.
All Senior-level swimmers are expected to be good role models for
younger swimmers
