Group Description
Junior Tar Eels: The introductory level of the NCAC program where children ages 6 – 10 can begin competitive swimming in a safe, fun, and nurturing environment. This level will serve as a bridge from standard swim lessons and the year round competitive team. The number one goal is to teach children to love the water and love the sport of swimming. Swimmers entering the Junior Tar Eels group should be able to swim a 25 free breathing to side and also be able to complete a 25 of backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly. We encourage attending 3 out of 4 practices offered. Lead Coach: Eli Danson Assisted by: Julie Neal & Justin Wright
Discovery: In this practice group swimmers ages 7-10 will discover the basic fundamentals, practice habits, and skills that will serve them in their swimming development. The primary focus of practice sessions is to expose children to all four competitive strokes through the use of drills, and improved kicking technique. In addition, swimmers will work to develop basic motor learning skills, balance, and coordination in the water. Swimmers entering the Discovery group should be able to swim three of the four competitive strokes legally for 25 yards and be able to swim 50 yards freestyle breathing to the side. We encourage attending all or 4 out of 5 practices offered. Lead Coach: Eli Danson. Assisted by: Julie Neal & Justin Wright
Exploration: In this practice group swimmers ages 8-10 will explore opportunities to continue to build on their fundamentals and skills while testing their application in a competitive setting. In the daily practice setting swimmers will experience an increase in all aspects of swimming. They will have increased practice time, which will allow for the beginning of aerobic conditioning combined with continued technique work. Practices are geared for success in all strokes and events. Swimmers will be encouraged to compete in every event the coach feels he/she is ready to swim. Dryland activity is added twice / week. Swimmers should have a minimum of one season of competitive swimming experience and be able to swim a 200 IM legally. Lead Coach: Sean McGinley
Journey: This practice group is for swimmers ages 11-12 that are beginning an exciting journey as the emphasis changes from primarily teaching to a relatively equal balance of technique work and physiological development. Daily practices will consist of increased aerobic conditioning while the technical skills will still be reinforced. Swimmers will continue to develop all four competitive strokes with an emphasis on success in the IM events. We encourage attending 80% of practices offered to maximize time in Journey and establish a strong foundation. Dryland becomes an important part of the practice to help with coordination and athleticism, which will prove valuable in the pool as well. Consistent attendance and participation in practice and meets is valued. Lead Coach: Eli Danson
Challenge: Swimmers ages 10 – 12 will be challenged to reach to new levels in competitive swimming. Swimmers should strive for success at the State and Sectional levels while preparing for long-term success. Swimmers will be held accountable for maintaining technical skills while increasing his/her workload. Daily preparation and focus is for success in 200 IM and 200 / 500 (400) free events. Swimmers should work to improve their USA Swimming IMX score. In addition, swimmers will learn about swimming beyond NCAC and NC Swimming and begin to become a student of the sport of swimming. A higher commitment to swimming is expected for swimmers in the Challenge level. The expectation is swimmers attend 85% of attendance. Other sports are encouraged, but families should work with the coach for optimum schedule to maintain success in the Challenge group. Competition is expected and all swimmers are required to compete at his/her highest level of championship meets. Lead Coach: Sherwood Watts