Spinners—Ages 6–12

Water comfort and body awareness are the foundations of teaching for this program. This group focuses on developing the 3 competitive strokes they’ve already learned in Pre-Competitive swimming lessons. The Butterfly stroke is introduced. Starts and Turns, Lane Etiquette and Sportsmanship are some of the fundamental skills mastered in the Spinners group. Participants will also be shepherded through their first swim meet. Minimum standards for the Spinners group include: the ability to swim 100 yards of freestyle without grabbing lane lines or stopping mid 25, legal freestyle and backstroke, a basic understanding of breaststroke.

Commitment:

Swimmers in this group are required to participate 2 days per week. Swimmers not meeting the minimum standards will be referred to Swim Lessons. When minimum standards have been met, the group coach will recommend team membership. All swimmers must register for USA Swimming Membership.

Strypers—Ages 9–13

This group is for solid swimmers who swim the four competitive strokes legally as well as perform legal starts and turns. Strypers have developed the endurance to practice for 45 minutes and will regularly swim 200 yards nonstop. Educating swimmers in the many dimensions of the sport is the prime focus for this group. Strypers will have their first experiences with specific practices intended for conditioning and cardiovascular training. Stryper group athletes are required to register for USA Swimming.

Commitment:

Swimmers in this group are required to participate 2 days per week. This program recognizes the importance of other youth activities, and encourages participants to benefit from the cross-training gleaned from other sports, dance, etc. Swimmers admitted to this program possess age-appropriate cognitive learning skills and exhibit advanced swimming skills with a basic understanding of all four competitive strokes. Swimmers will be evaluated before being admitted to this group.

Swimmers looking to advance to the Strypers must be able to swim 200 yards nonstop, repeat 50s of freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke, 25 yard swims of butterfly at set intervals, and a legal start. Swimmers must also have a basic understanding of how to read a pace clock and a swim workout.

Duskys—Ages 10–13

Athletes in the Dusky group have acquired the skills for the four competitive strokes, turns and starts. The Dusky group is all about refinement. These athletes have participated in many swim meets. Age-appropriate Dryland Training will be introduced. Dusky group athletes are required to register for USA Swimming.

Commitment:
Swimmers in this group are required to participate 2 days per week.

During the Winter Season Dusky practices are available as specified by the Team Training Schedule. The progression of conditioning over the season will see those who practice more make significant gains over those who practice the minimum two times per week. This is competitive swimming. This is important. This program recognizes the importance of other youth activities, however, swimmers in this group must prioritize swimming as their primary activity. They must demonstrate the cognitive learning and advanced swimming skills required of all four competitive strokes. Swimmers will be evaluated before being admitted to this group.

Swimmers looking to advance to the Dusky group must be able to swim a legal 200 IM and legal starts in all 4 strokes. Duskys will swim repeats of 100 yards of freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke and 50 yard swims of Butterfly at set intervals. In order to advance to the Duskys swimmers must be able to swim a 200 IM and 500 Free. Swimmers must also have a complete understanding of how to read a pace clock and a written swim workout.

Silver—Ages 13–14

The Silver group is for those who have dedicated themselves to the sport. These athletes must be registered for USA Swimming. Competition begins in October and ends in March. Most will continue to compete through the Spring & Summer Long Course Season. The Head Coach assigns swimmers to the Silver groups. Silver swimmers must be able to swim a 100 Fly and a legal 400 IM.  

Commitment:

These athletes have decided to pursue swimming as their primary sport. The Silver group is expected to attend 4 practices per week. The Kinetix program is essential for Silver level swimmers. They are required to attend Kinetic on Monday & Friday. Absences must be excused by the head coach.

The ultimate season goal of this group is to qualify for and compete at the YMCA New England Championships.

Gold—Ages 14–18

The Gold group is for those who prioritize swimming over all other extracurricular activities. Gold swimmers have mastered all of the competitive swimming skills and pursue the orchestration of those skills to reach peak performance. The Head Coach assigns swimmers to the Gold group. 

Commitment:

There are no requirements for Gold level swimmers. They are allowed to participate at this level based on previous performance and desire to participate. Their commitment is paramount. Gold swimmers are expected to attend all practices and swim meets. Absences must be excused by the head coach.

The ultimate season goal of this group is to qualify for and compete at the YMCA New England Championships.