Youth (7-18) Program

Development Program

 Bronze, Silver, Gold Recreational, Gold 

 Swimmers will advance through the levels based on the skills outlined below.

Bronze

Practice Schedule

Approximate ages: 7 to 11

This group is for those who are just getting into pre-competitive swim “training.” This program focuses on: 

  1. introducing swimmers to the four basic competitive strokes, 

  2. learning to safely dive off of the pool deck head-first, and 

  3. building good basic swimming techniques. 

Minimum requirements

  • Must be at least seven years of age (or, if joining in the Fall session, turning seven by December 31 of that year.)

  • Must be able to complete 45 minutes of focused swimming instruction without disrupting others in the group.

  • Must be able to swim a minimum of 25 metres without stopping, with a semi-recognizable continuous freestyle stroke with their head in the water while breathing to the side as much as possible.

If your child has been following the Red Cross Swim Kids program, please be aware that kids generally need to have passed a minimum of Swim Kids 6 before they are ready for swim club.

Silver

Practice Schedule

Approximate ages: 8 to 13

This group is for those who have completed our Bronze level or equivalent and are starting to think about competing. This program focuses on: 

  1. improving the four basic competitive strokes, 

  2. learning competitive starts and improving turns, and 

  3. building strong technique and cardio strength. 

Minimum requirements 

(N.B. There may be cases where we recommend an older child enter our program in the Silver level even if they do not meet all of these requirements):

  • Must know proper arm and leg technique for freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.

  • Must be able to follow simple practices written on a whiteboard and complete 45 minutes of focused swimming instruction without disrupting others in the group.

  • Must be able to safely enter the water head first from the pool deck by themselves.

  • Must know basic flip-turn techniques and how to do two-hand touch turns.

Gold Recreational

Practice Schedule

Approximate ages: 10 to 15

For Fall 2023, we have created a Gold Recreational Program (2 x 1-hour practices/week). It is intended for the following swimmers:

  1. Kids who are invited to move up from our Silver program but who are not ready or able to commit to the full Gold program (4 x 1-hour practices/week).

  2. Kids at the Gold level who would like to continue swimming but have another sport that is their first priority.

It is important to be aware that there will be a significant difference in the rate of improvement between kids in the Recreational Program vs the regular Gold program, so if your swimmer is keen to improve their performance, we strongly recommend that they commit to the full Gold program.

N.B.: Kids in the Recreational program will be registered with Swim BC and will be able to participate in meets, but their expectations should be realistic. Their peers in the regular Gold program will improve much more quickly.

Minimum requirements 

  1. Must be able to swim a legal 200 Free.

  2. Must be able to swim a legal 200 IM.

  3. Must know proper turns, including IM turns.

  4. Must be able to do dive starts and pull outs.

  5. Must know how to use a timing clock and be able to leave on ten second intervals.

 

Gold

Practice Schedule

Approximate ages: 10 to 15

This group is for those who have completed our Silver level or equivalent and would like to continue their progress towards our competitive program. Swimmers will attend a minimum of three practices per week. This program focuses on: 

  1. working towards achieving a sub-four minute 200 IM (a.k.a LMR),

  2. increasing endurance across all four competitive strokes, and

  3. progressing to higher level swim meets.

Minimum requirements 

  1. Must be able to swim a legal 200 Free.

  2. Must be able to swim a legal 200 IM.

  3. Must know proper turns, including IM turns.

  4. Must be able to do dive starts and pull outs.

  5. Must know how to use a timing clock and be able to leave on ten second intervals.

 

Competitive Program

 Platinum

By invitation only

Practice Schedule

This group is for swimmers who are able to perform all of the skills outlined in the Development Program and who are able to commit to a full competitive training program. Swimmers will commit to a minimum of four practices a week. 

Internally, we categorize athletes into three groups:

Platinum A

  • Focus on achieving Provincial times or have Provincial times

  • Increase volume and intensity of training (aim to attend training at least 4 times a week—this will help you gain the ability to perform at this level)

  • Learn and engage in dryland exercises and a develop a healthy approach to nutrition

Platinum B

  • Focus on achieving Divisional times in at least two events

  • Increase training volume and intensity (aim to attend training at least 4 times a week—this will help you gain the ability to perform at this level)

  • Refining stroke technique, starts and turns

Platinum C