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.

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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