SwimFaster Program

Welcome to SwimFaster - we are passionate about swimming!

We provide technical development and competitive swim training for children of all the abilities, aged from 3 to 18 years old, on a continuous and fast-track progression, maintaining an enjoyable class environment. One of our core principles is technique first, endurance later.

SwimFaster is a sanctioned swim team registered in Swim BC and Swimming Canada. We operate in North Vancouver and Squamish. 

  • We believe that swimming is a fundamental life and safety skill.
  • We believe that all children should participate in healthy activities.
  • We believe swimming develops strength, mental resilience and vitality.
  • We believe that swimming promotes self discipline, which helps children reach their potential in any sport, and in life.

SwimFaster North Vancouver is a non-for profit organization, managed by volunteer parents and members.

Services

We provide development instruction to kids, from Beginners I (no swimming skills), up to Advanced (swimming four strokes). It is a progressive journey through 6 development levels, with continuous skill evaluations.  Kids advance in level as they progress, based on performance.  There is not a fix time duration per level.

We provide technical competitive training through 3 groups, Bronze, Silver and Gold, before swimmers start participating into Provincial and National levels, with Swimming Canada.

Skill Levels

DEVELOPMENT GROUPS

Beginners I:  

Focus in kicking (assisted) front and back, holding breath, immersion and flotation

  • No background in swimming
  • Able to stand at the shallow end of the pool
  • Learning how to hold breath
  • Learning how to put face in the water
  • Learning proper kick with straight legs, head down
  • Learning flotation

Moving criteria: 6 m kick front and back (unassisted)

Beginners II:

Focus on strokes (front and back) and kick (unassisted), kicking underwater, dolphin kick

  • Able to kick in front and back, with no assistance
  • Learning stroke technique front and back
  • Power front and back kick for 6 m
  • Learning fly kick

Moving criteria: 6 m free and back swim (unassisted) with clean strokes (no dragging)

Transition:

Focus on freestyle breathing, body position, efficient freestyle and backstroke swim, power fly kick

  • Learning breathing technique in freestyle
  • Proper body position in free and backstroke
  • Able to swim 12 m free and backstroke

Moving criteria: Proper freestyle swimming (including breathing) and backstroke swimming for 12 m.

Intermediate I:

Focus on longer free and back distance (25m), learning breastroke kick and flip turns away from the wall.

  • Swimming 25 m free and back
  • Learning breastroke kick
  • Flip turns and dives

Moving criteria:  Able to swim 25m free and back, at the deep pool.  Proper breastroke kick.

Intermediate II:

Focus on butterfly and breastroke swim.  Flip turns at the wall and dives.

  • Learning butterfly swim
  • Learning breastroke pull
  • Turns & Dives

Moving criteria: Able to swim 50 m free and back.  Able to swim 25 m fly and breast.

Advanced:

Focus in improving the 4 strokes, in preparation to swim meets (recreational).

  • Swimming all 4 strokes
  • Learning free & back turns
  • Competitive technique development
  • Longer distance swim

Moving criteria: If the swimmer is interested in competitive swimming, then we offer recreational swim meets (Pass Meets).

 

COMPETITIVE GROUPS

Bronze:

Swimming the 100 IM under 2’:40”, or the 150 Free under 3’:30”. This group is expected to swim at least 3 times, but not less than 2 times per week.

Silver:

Swimming the 200 IM under 5’:00”, or the 300 Free under 6’:40”. This group is expected to swim 3 - 4 times per week, but not less than 2 times.

Gold/LMR:

Swimming 200 IM under 4', or 300 Freestyle under 5':40". This group is expected to swim 6 - 8 times per week, but not less than 4 times.

PARALYMPIC SWIMMERS

  • Paralympic swimmers - please contact us to define practice schedule