There are a number of swimming squads available which cater to a wide range of abilities and interests.
Squad placement of swimmers is at the discretion of coaches and is based on a number of factors including:
- Age and physiological development of swimmers
- Technical ability of swimmer
- Swimmer’s ability to cope with required volume and intensity of training
- Swimmers attitude towards training, coaching staff, the club and other swimmers.
In order to transition up a position in a particular squad, a swimmer needs to meet all criteria.
Seahorses
Swimmers who are under 7 years old.
They are able to complete 25m of freestyle and backstroke and have an interest in swimming.
Yabbies
Swimmers must be able to demonstrate the ability to swim:
- 50m Freestyle
- 50m Backstroke
- 50m Breaststroke
Swimmers will be observed for:
- Balance and easy breathing ability
- Correct basic technique in each of the three strokes
- Swimmers may also be asked to demonstrate 4 strokes of butterfly; however this is not a requirement for this squad at the entry stage.
Whitings
Swimmers must be able to demonstrate:
- 100m of proficient freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke.
- 50m of basic butterfly.
- basic diving skills and under water work.
- 100m kick in 3 minutes or less
- Correct turning skills for all four strokes.
- Concentration throughout each training session.
- Correct use of the pace clock (30 and 60 sec intervals)
- Participation in club activities such as time trials
Marlins
Swimmers must be able to demonstrate:
- 400m Freestyle in 9 minutes or less
- 3 x 100m Backstroke on a 2:30minutes
- 4 x 100m Kick on 3:00minutes
- Complete 50m in all strokes with skill at a competition standard
- Demonstration of correct turning and off the wall skills for all four strokes
- correct use of pace clock (15, 30, 45 and 60 sec intervals)
- ability to work in a group environment and having shown a determination to improve times and skills
- Participation in club activities such as time trials and targeted meets.
Dolphins
Swimmers must be able to demonstrate:
- 2 x 400m Freestyle in minutes or less swum on a 9 minute interval
- 4 x 100m Backstroke on 2:10 interval
- 2 x 200m kick on 5 min interval- choice of kick but must be the same throughout
- Complete a strong 50m butterfly, breathing every second stroke and 200m breaststroke evenly paced with skills retained at a competition standard throughout the swim
- Working to State Qualifying Times
- Demonstration of self-discipline towards stretching, training attendance and equipment
- Demonstrate record keeping ability – i.e. log book
- Participation in Club activities such as time trials and targeted meets
- Parents to be actively supporting swimmer/s in meeting competition needs – training – club and social activities
If you think your child is eligible for the next squad, please feel free to discuss it with their current Coach.