Practice Groups

As a multi-level competitive program, the Blue Wave will offer accommodating and increasingly challenging practice groups that factor in level of commitment, age, and degree of development. Placement in these groups will be by evaluation and consultation.

PREP 1
Ages 8 and younger
This program might be seen as an extension of summer league, with a low time commitment and high degree of instruction in the four competitive strokes and basic swimming fundamentals. Swimmers would be registered with USA Swimming and would be eligible to swim in meets (usually one every month-six weeks offered).

PREP 2
Ages 9 to 11
This group also emphasizes consistency over commitment, with a predominance of instruction and skill building, and encouragement to advance into one of the Age Group programs. These swimmers will also be registered and eligible to swim in meets (usually one per month offered).

AGE GROUP 1
Ages 9 and younger
This group, because of its added day of practice, offers the young swimmer more of a challenge and an opportunity to “train” toward being his or her best. Emphasis on stroke and skill development is still very high, but “hard work” will be introduced in small doses and with a lot of fun. Meets will be offered every month to six weeks.
Practice Attendance: At least 2 out of 3 practices per week.

AGE GROUP 2
Ages 9 to 11
This group will still maintain a high level of stroke instruction and attention to fundamentals, but will begin to train for the longer events (50s, 100s, and 200s) that are available to them in the meet schedule.  Swimmers will be encouraged to set goals and be mindful of them in their training. A light dryland training regimen will also be introduced at this level.
Practice Attendance: At least 3 out of 5 practices per week.

AGE GROUP 3
Ages 10-14
Age Group 3 will consist of swimmers with the motivation and experience to commit to extra workouts per week. This group will still have a strong emphasis on technical development, but will begin to train with more purpose and consistency. Swimmers will be challenged to set and be accountable to purposeful goals. Dryland training will also be more challenging, though no weight training will be introduced.
Practice Attendance: At least 4 out of 6 practices per week.

PRE-SENIOR 1
Ages 12-15
Pre-Senior 1 is a beginning step into training toward the longer distances of the older age groups. Workouts will still have a high degree of technical focus, but aerobic base training, speed work, and strength improvements will all be gauged more consistently. Goal setting and psychology are essential components of this program. Dry land training will be geared toward seeing marked improvements in strength and flexibility.
Practice Attendance: At least 5 out of 6 practices per week. Possible morning practices for some swimmers.

PRE-SENIOR 2
Ages 13 and up
Pre-Senior 2 is a challenging first step into a highly committed program for middle to high school age athletes. Workouts will be geared toward high levels of competition and a commitment to personal excellence. In addition, swimmers will be encouraged to reach beyond their individual goals and demonstrate a commitment to the team whenever possible. Dryland will be much more challenging, and goal setting much more specific.
Practice Attendance: At least 8 out of 11 practices per week. Some mornings required.

SENIOR
Ages 14 and up
Senior level swimmers are at the top of the developmental ladder with the Blue Waves. Their training is very focused and purposeful, with goals being set to reach their highest individual potential.  Senior swimmers will also be encouraged, at every opportunity, to be positive examples for the younger swimmers on the team. Afternoon sessions will be utilized to intensify their dryland training including weights, to work on race-specific training, and to work with the younger swimmers on the team.
Practice Attendance: At least 8 out of 11 practices per week. At least 3 mornings are required.

* Evaluations of swimmers will be continuous throughout the season. Swimmers who show improvements may be moved up to the next level.

**Swim Meets are strongly recommended for all age groups!!!