Practice Groups

(Level-up requirements are guidelines - coach's discretion is always paramount)

Mini Vikings (Between 5-8 years of age). Practices will be offered 4 times per week with flexibility in attendance but 2 days preferred.

Prerequisites: Completion of Level 2 or 3 of American Red Cross swim lessons and able to complete a full 25 yards kick with fins in a try out. Must be comfortable in deep water. Often a swimmer who is new to competitive swimming will start in this group even if very briefly to get the basics. Coach approval required.

Skills Covered: Technique in all four strokes and Individual Medley along with drills starts and finishes.

Next-level requirements: Must show stroke efficiency and be able to swim non-stop 25 yards of freestyle and backstroke; must have beginner's knowledge of breaststroke and butterfly.

White Team (Ages 7 - 10 who are new to competitive swimming). Practices will be offered 5 times per week with flexibility in attendance but 2-3 days preferred.

Prerequisites: Completion of Level 4 or 5 of American Red Cross swim lessons or swimmers must perform one length back and one length free at a try out.  Often a swimmer who is new to competitive swimming will start in this group even if very briefly to get the basics.

Skills Covered: Technique in all four strokes and Individual Medley along with drills starts and finishes.

Next-level requirements: Be able to comfortably swim practice near the front of the swim group; be able to complete 1 good flip turn; be able to complete a competitive swim start off the blocks.

Norse Team (Ages 8-11 and older who are new to competitive swimming).  Practices will be offered 5 times per week with flexibility in attendance but 3 days preferred.

Prerequisites:Completion of Level 4 or 5 of American Red Cross swim lessons or swimmers must perform one length back and one length free at a try out.  Often a swimmer who is new to competitive swimming will start in this group even if very briefly time to get the basics.

Skills Covered: Technique in all four strokes and Individual Medley along with drills starts and finishes.

Next-level requirements: Must have good technique in all 4 swimming strokes; must be able to swim legal 200IM.

Purple Team (Ages 9+) they will practice 5-6 times a week. We encourage these swimmers to attend practice 3-4 times a week.

Prerequisites: Swim four lengths of the pool (100 yards) using three of the four competitive strokes.  Swimmers should also be comfortable swimming a 60 – 75 min. practice.  Swimmers should display good listening skills and demonstrate self-motivation.

Skills Covered: We average about 1500 to 2500 yards a practice.  Skills covered include stroke refinement, turns, starts, drills and endurance. 

Next-level requirements: (Coaches' discretion) Swimmers should be swimming practices consistently near the front of the group and show potential for swimming next-level minimum sendoffs and distances.

Pre-Senior Team (Ages 11+) they will practice 6-11 times a week depending on the session.

Prerequisites:  Coaches’ evaluation. 

Skills Covered/Guidelines:  Pre-Seniors should display good listening skills, self-motivation, and leadership and be goal directed with a commitment to their practice group.  The focus should be self-improvement both in the water and out of the water.  We usually swim about 3000-5000 yards a practice.  Skills covered include turns, technique, drills and endurance.  Attending all practices specified for Pre-Seniors team will show the coach you are interested in moving into the next group.

Next-level requirements: (Coaches' discretion) Swimmers should be swimming practices consistently near the front of the group and show potential for swimming next-level minimum sendoffs and distances.

Senior Team (This practice group is typically for swimmers who are 13 years and older) they will practice 6-11 times per week depending on the session.

Prerequisites: Prior swimming experience. Coaches’ evaluation needed to participate.

Skills Covered/Guidelines:  Swimmers should display all Pre-Senior Team guidelines including participation in extra practices, attending all practices specified for Senior team, dry land, and technique.  Senior team will work at increasing distances and effort levels thru ought the season.  Anticipate some Saturday practices.

Seasonal High School Team (High School Students) they will practice five to six days a week. 

Prerequisites: Prior swimming experience. Coaches’ evaluation needed to participate.

Skills Covered/Guidelines:  Swimmers should display all Pre-Senior or Senior Team guidelines including participation in extra practices, attending all practices specified for Senior team, dry land, and technique.  Senior team will work at increasing distances and effort levels thru ought the season.  Anticipate some Saturday practices.

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