AAC Swim Groups

Annual Registration Fee note: There is an annual non-refundable registration fee per swimmer that is due to the AAC Boosters when you register your swimmer with AAC. The Registration fee paid to the AAC Boosters is SEPARATE from the monthly program fees paid to Arlington County on a monthly basis from September through May.

This fee is for all swimmers, regardless of practice group assignment, and covers the team t-shirt and swim cap, and administrative costs. By registering your swimmer, you are committing to a season and will be responsible for all costs you incur during that season.

Meet fees are NOT included for our swim groups in the annual Registration fee.

All swimmers will be responsible for registering with USA Swimming yearly.

Developmental and Conditioning Groups

The developmental and conditioning groups are designed for beginner swimmers and for swimmers who desire to stay in shape for their summer, Middle School and High School teams, but are not able to make the full-time commitment to swimming. There are no practice or competitive requirements for these groups, though swimmers may compete in meets if they choose by paying their own individual meet fees with a separate check made out to AAC Boosters.

Registration Fee: All swimmers must pay an annual, non-refundable/non-transferable registration fee.This fee is for all swimmers, regardless of practice group assignment, and team t-shirt, swim cap, and administrative costs. 

Mini Gators

Ages 6–9 — Washington-Liberty Swimming Pool & Long Bridge Swimming Pool

This is our most basic skills training program. The program is designed to introduce young swimmers to the sport of competitive swimming. This program will focus on improving freestyle, learning a technically correct backstroke and breaststroke, and will introduce butterfly. Level I is the entry level and has one 30-minute practice a week; Level 2 and 3 has one 40-minute practice per week; MG 4 has two 40-minute practices a week.

Entry Level Requirements: swimmers must be able to easily enter the water and swim one full length of the pool (25 yards) freestyle with side breathing without stopping and swim a length of backstroke in order to qualify for this program. Swimmers must be comfortable swimming in deep water and able to swim laps.

Optional Meet participation approx. 6 meets a year. Meets are strongly encouraged.

Mini Gators 1–3

• 9 Month Season
• Resident Program Fee: $380 / Non-Resident Program Fee: $437
• AAC Boosters Registration Fee: $90.00
• USA Swimming Registration Fee: $96.00

Mini Gators 4

• 9 Month Season
• Resident Program Fee: $520 / Non-Resident Program Fee: $598
• AAC Boosters Registration Fee: $90.00
• USA Swimming Registration Fee: $96.00

Gators I

Ages 7–9 — Long Bridge Swimming Pool

Our beginner level swim program, Gator I is designed for younger swimmers interested in improving their swimming skills during the winter months. This program is designed for swimmers new to year around swimming and will focus on the basic competitive skills, including diving off the blocks and learning proper turning techniques for all four competitive strokes. Gator I’s primary focus is on the improvement of the freestyle and backstroke skills and techniques and will introduce the skills and techniques necessary for breaststroke and butterfly.

Requirements: swimmers must be able to swim freestyle and backstroke in order to qualify for this group. A basic understanding of breaststroke and butterfly is recommended, but not required.

• 9 Month Season
• Resident Program Fee: $400 / Non-Resident Program Fee: $460
• AAC Boosters Registration fee: $90.00
• USA Swimming Registration Fee: $96.00

Gators II

Ages 8–11 — Long Bridge Swimming Pool

This is our second level of our Gator program. This program is designed for swimmers with a stronger swim background who are looking to improve upon their skills and technique during the winter months. Swimmers in this program will continue to focus primarily on the basic competitive skills, including diving off the blocks and proper turns, and they will also practice more advanced stroke drills and techniques for all four competitive strokes.

Requirements: swimmers must be able to swim freestyle and backstroke and have a basic understanding of breaststroke and butterfly to qualify for this program.

• 9 Month Season
• Resident Program Fee: $400 / Non-Resident Program Fee: $460
• AAC Boosters Registration fee: $90.00
• USA Swimming Registration Fee: $96.00

Gators III

Ages 10–14 — Long Bridge Swimming Pool

Our third level swim program, Gators III is designed to offer intermediate skills training to swimmers looking to increase their skills and techniques over the winter. Gator III is designed for older swimmers who may be new to year around swimming or are just looking for stroke improvement. This group will teach advanced drills and stroke techniques for all four competitive strokes as well as working on improving competition skills such as diving and proper turns.

Requirements: swimmers must be able to swim freestyle and backstroke proficiently and have a close to legal breaststroke and butterfly.

• 9 Month Season
• Resident Program Fee: $410 / Non-Resident Program Fee: $471.50
• AAC Boosters Registration fee: $90.00
• USA Swimming Registration Fee: $96.00

Middle School Sprint

Grades 6–8 — Long Bridge Swimming Pool

This program is our second level of training for swimmers that would like to stay in shape for their summer or Middle School season, but do not want to commit to full-time swimming in the winter. The Middle School Sprint program will work on improving the technique and skills of all four competitive strokes while also offering a challenging workout to keep swimmers in shape.

Requirements: swimmers must be able to swim all four competitive strokes legally to qualify for this program.

• 9 Month Season
• Resident Program Fee: $610 / Non-Resident Program Fee: $701.50
• AAC Boosters Registration fee: $90.00
• USA Swimming Registration Fee: $96.00

High School Sprint

Grades 9–12 — Long Bridge Swimming Pool

This program is our second level of training for swimmers that would like to stay in shape for their summer or High School season, but do not want to commit to full-time swimming in the winter. The High School Sprint program will work on improving the technique and skills of all four competitive strokes while also offering a challenging workout to keep swimmers in shape.

Requirements: swimmers must be able to swim all four competitive strokes legally to qualify for this program.

• 9 Month Season
• Resident Program Fee: $630 / Non-Resident Program Fee: $724.50
• AAC Boosters Registration fee: $90.00
• USA Swimming Registration Fee: $96.00

Competition Groups

Our competitive groups are for swimmers who are interested in swimming and competing year around. The competitive groups are for swimmers who are considering or want to make swimming their primary sport. Swimmers must be legal in all four strokes to be eligible for all competition groups. Some programs also have Practice and Meet Attendance Requirements.

Registration Fee: All swimmers must pay an annual, non-refundable/non-transferable registration fee.This fee is for all swimmers, regardless of practice group assignment, and team t-shirt, swim cap, and administrative costs. 

Age Group Prep

Ages 7–10 — Three Locations & 4 Practice Schedule Options: Wakefield Swimming Pool, Washington-Liberty Swimming Pool, & Long Bridge Swimming Pool

Our entry-level competitive swim program, this group is designed for young swimmers with limited competitive experience. The program emphasizes basic stroke development for the four competitive strokes, instruction on proper competitive starts and turns, and an introduction to basic training principles, such as using the pace clock and how to properly train for USS competition. Swimmers in this program will practice twice a week and swimmers who prove they are able to handle the training and are willing to make the commitment to train more may be eligible to move up into the Age Group program.

Requirements: swimmers must be able to swim all four strokes legally.  Swimmers wishing to move up into the Age Group program must maintain proper practice attendance, and must compete in at least 3 meets during the season.

• 9 Month Season
• Resident Program Fee: $790 / Non-Resident Program Fee: $905
• AAC Boosters Registration Fee: $128.00
• USA Swimming Registration Fee: $96.00

Age Group

Ages 9–12 — Three Locations & 4 Practice Schedule Options Wakefield Swimming Pool, Washington-Liberty Swimming Pool, & Long Bridge Swimming Pool

This is the second level of competition training for age group swimmers. Swimmers are expected to swim 2–3 times a week. This program will continue to focus on proper stroke development in all four competitive strokes, but will include work on the competition skills required for advancement into one of our higher level competitive programs. These skills will include increased practice attendance and commitment to the program, increased aerobic training, and the introduction of proper racing techniques.

Requirements: swimmers must attend a practice before joining this program. Swimmers wishing to move up into the Age Group Performance or Senior Prep programs must maintain proper practice attendance, and must compete in at least 4 meets during the season.

• 9 Month Season
• Resident Program Fee: $945 / Non-Resident Program Fee: $1060
• AAC Boosters Registration Fee: $128.00
• USA Swimming Registration Fee: $96.00

Age Group Performance

Ages 9–12 —  Long Bridge Swimming Pool
This program is our advanced 12 month training program for age group swimmers who have displayed a dedication to the sport of swimming and are willing to make the commitment to practice and train at a higher level. Swimmers must attend 4–5 practices a week. Swimmers in this group will be held to a very high standard of practice discipline and attitude and will be given advanced training on underwater kicking, race preparation and strategy, mental training, as well as increased swim training and dry land exercises. Swimmers in this group will be expected to train for and compete in high levels of competition, such as PVS Junior Olympics and the Eastern Zone IMX and Eastern Zone championship meets.

Requirements: swimmers must attend a swim practice before being able to join this program. The goal of this group is to be an elite age group training group. Swimmers in this program MUST maintain a 75% monthly practice attendance and must compete in the competitions selected by the coach in order to remain in this program or be considered for advancement to the Senior Prep program.

• 12 Month Season
• Resident Program Fee: $1270 / Non-Resident Program Fee: $1385
• AAC Boosters Registration Fee: $128.00
• USA Swimming Registration Fee: $96.00

Challenge

Ages 12–14 — Long Bridge Swimming Pool
This program is a 9 month training program with an option for summer swim.  This program is designed for swimmers who have not quite made swimming their top priority, but want to remain competetive and work towards their goals.  The training for this group could  lead to one of AAC’s senior swimming programs. Swimmers must attend 4–5 practices a week. Swimmers in this group will be held to a very high standard of practice discipline and attitude and will be given advanced training on underwater kicking, race preparation and strategy, mental training, as well as increased swim training and dry land exercises. 

Requirements: swimmers must attend a swim practice before being able to join this program. Swimmers in this program MUST maintain a 75% monthly practice attendance and must compete in the competitions selected by the coach in order to remain in this program or be considered for advancement to the Senior program.

• 9 Month Season - with option for summer swim
• Resident Program Fee: $952.50 / Non-Resident Program Fee: $1067.50
• AAC Boosters Registration Fee: $128.00
• USA Swimming Registration Fee: $96.00

Senior Prep

Ages 13–15 — Long Bridge Swimming Pool
This 12 month program is designed for swimmers who have made swimming one of their priorities and are capable of handling the increased training that will lead to one of AAC’s senior swimming programs. Swimmers in this group are expected to make the commitment to train 5 days a week and display the proper practice discipline and attitude required to train at the next level. This program will have increased yardage and dry land practices compared to our Age Group and Age Group Performance programs and is designed to prepare swimmers for advancement into our Senior and Elite programs. Swimmers in this group will be expected to train for and compete at high level PVS Championship meets, as well as preparing for Zone and Sectional level competitions.

Requirements: swimmers interested in joining this group must come to try out at a practice. Swimmers must maintain a 75% monthly practice attendance and must attend the meets selected by the coach in order to remain in this program and be considered for advancement into our Senior program.

• 12 Month Season
• Resident Program Fee: $1540 / Non-Resident Program Fee: $1655
• AAC Boosters Registration Fee: $128.00
• USA Swimming Registration Fee: $96.00

Excel

Ages 14 & Older — Long Bridge Swimming Pool

​This is one of our two senior level training groups offered. It is designed for swimmers that may still participate in other sports or activities, but want to remain competetive at a senior level. Swimmers in this training group should plan on mandatory 5-6 practices per week, competing once a month at the meets selected by the coach. This program will offer advanced training techniques and dry land exercises designed to help swimmers reach the highest level of competition, as well as prepare swimmers to swim in college.

Requirements: swimmers interested in joining the Excel program must attend a practice to try out. This is a 9 month program with a summer swimming option. Swimmers in this group must maintain an 85% monthly practice attendance and compete in all meets chosen by the coach to remain in this program.

• 9 Month Season - with option for summer swim
• Resident Program Fee: $1155 / Non-Resident Program Fee: $1270
• AAC Boosters Registration Fee: $128.00
• USA Swimming Registration Fee: $96.00

Senior

Ages 13 & Older — Long Bridge Swimming Pool

​This is our most advanced training group offered. It is designed for swimmers that have chosen swimming as their primary sport and have made the commitment to train to compete at the National level. Swimmers in this elite training group should plan on mandatory 6–8 practices per week, competing once a month at the meets selected by the coach, training at the level required to qualify for National Level competitions. This program will offer the most advanced training techniques and dry land exercises designed to help swimmers reach the highest level of competition, as well as prepare swimmers to swim in college.

Requirements: swimmers interested in joining the Senior program must attend a practice to try out. This is a 12 month program and swimmers will be expected to train and compete throughout the long course season. Swimmers in this group must maintain an 85% monthly practice attendance and compete in all meets chosen by the coach to remain in this program.

• 12 Month Season
• Resident Program Fee: $2300 / Non-Resident Program Fee: $2415
• AAC Boosters Registration Fee: $128.00
• USA Swimming Registration Fee: $96.00