The Upper Perk Otters offers training and practice groups for swimmers of all ages and ability levels. It is the goal of the Upper Perk Otters is to offer age specific training for all of our athletes geared towards challenging each individual and developing each individual to the best of their abilities.
Please call us at 215-679-9622 X 3121 to schedule a tryout, or send an email request to Michele Heimes at [email protected] for more information.
Minis
Must be able to swim one length of the pool in freestyle and backstroke. Must pass green band swim tests Swimmers are typically 5-12 years old.
Training Focus: Basic skills for all four strokes and starts
Lead Coach: Fiona Melissen
Assistant Coach:
Orange
Must be able to swim one length of legal freestyle (bilateral breathing), backstroke, and breaststroke (or butterfly). Must be able to demonstrate the understanding of reading the pace clock. Swimmers are typically ages 5-12.
Training Focus: Stroke Development, starts, flip turns, meet readiness, pace clock
Lead Coach:Julia Young
Assistant Coach: Michele Heimes
Bronze
Must be able to swim a 100 yards of backstroke and Freestyle. 50 yards breaststroke and butterfly. Legal 100 IM. Swimmers are typically ages 7-12.
Training Focus: Stroke Technique, pace clock
Lead Coach: Sarah Yocum
Assistant Coaches: Michele Heimes
Silver
Must be able to swim a 200 IM, repeat 100's of all 4 strokes and 500 yard Freestyle. Swimmers are typically ages 9-12.
Training Focus: Stroke Technique, Conditioning, Training goals and habits
Lead Coach: Sarah Yocum-Jeffers
Assistant Coaches:
Gold
Must be able to swim 200s of all 4 strokes, maintain 10 X 100 yard Free in under 1:45. Swimmers are typically ages 11-13.
Training Focus: Stroke Technique, training threshold, dryland, leadership skills, and race strategy, goal setting.
Lead Coach: Jackie Hammill/Cam Hang
Assistant Coaches: Michele Heimes
Advanced
Must be able to repeat 200s of every stroke and practice for 2.5 hours and complete 7,000 yards. Must be 13 years old or have a coach's recommendation.
Training Focus: Stroke Technique, training threshold, dryland, leadership skills, and race strategy, goal setting.
Lead Coach: Michele Heimes
National
Must be able to do repeat 400 IMs and be able to swim 8000 yards in 2 hours. Must be 13 years old or older. 80% attendance or higher is required to be in this group. Group selection determined by Coach's Recommendation.
Training Focus: Stroke Technique, training threshold, dryland, leadership skills, and race strategy for National level meets, goal setting
Lead Coaches: Michele Heimes