TRAINING GROUPS
SPA uses a “progressive” age group program designed to develop children physically, mentally and emotionally in a systematic fashion. A well-defined long-term approach of gradually increasing degrees of commitment is essential to reach peak performance levels during a swimmer’s physiological prime. The emphasis in the early stages of participation must be placed on developing technical skills and love for the sport. In later years, a more demanding physical and psychological challenge must be introduced to the training program. In this respect, “too much too soon” is more often the cause of failure to achieve maximum potential in senior swimming than in the reverse situation.
In addition to emphasizing long-term rather than short-term results, it is also important that we establish training groups of swimmers who are compatible in respect to abilities, commitment levels and goals. At each level, the goals and objectives are specific and directed toward meeting the needs of the swimmer. The long-term goal of total excellence is always in mind. As each child is different, he/she, will progress at his/her own rate. The coaching staff recognizes this fact by making team assignments based on a swimmer’s physical, mental, and emotional development. Please note that meets are required for all training groups.
NORTH SHORE AQUATIC COMPLEX PRACTICE GROUPS
Senior I Team: The Senior I team consists of high school and college swimmers and some middle school age swimmers that exhibit a high level of swimming and workout ability. These swimmers are expected to be mature, responsible, dependable, and have a year-round commitment to the club. This group has a practice attendance requirement as well as insistance that these swimmers maintain good academic standing. Workouts happen 6-days a week and include five 2-hour afternoon practices, three morning practices, and scheduled dryland training each week.
Senior II Team: The Senior II team consists of swimmers that are well versed in technique and strategy and usually have the skill level commensurate with Florida Age Group Championship (FLAGS) time standards. Most of the swimmers in this training group are between 10-17 years old. Workouts are offered six days per week and last two hours per day.
High School Training Group: This group is geared toward the high school swimmer and private middle school swimmer who has completed one season on a high school team and wants to train in the off-season without the full-time commitment of the Senior II group. This group also welcomes age group swimmers ages 10+, on an invitation-only basis, to train longer before transitioning to a 2-hour practice. Competition is required. 90-minute workouts are offered five days per week. Please note there is no training time available for this group at North Shore during the summer but certain site pools will have this group available on an invitation-only basis. Check out our summer program offerings under the Summer Swim League tab.
Junior Team: The Junior Team consists of the most novice swimmers. These swimmers exhibit good swimming skills and will be introduced to stroke technique refinement and additional skills and processes. This training group is divided into four subgroups with BLUE group as the most advanced, followed by RED group, WHITE group, and GREEN group, each with its own coach, with progression based on completing each level of the SPA Junior Team Exit Competencies. Workouts are offered five days per week for one-hour or 30-minutes as indicated below per day. Competition is required. This group is available from September through May. Please note there is no training time available for this group at North Shore during June & July. Check out our summer program offerings under the Summer Swim League tab. For frequently asked questions about the Junior Team, visit our Junior Team page.
Green Group: This is our first level of the Junior Team primarily for Ages 6-7 and includes swimmers that have graduated from a general swim lesson program and have basic water survival skills plus knowledge of freestyle and backstroke. Green team members will learn more advanced competitive swimming skills that will allow them to complete a full one hour practice. We work on building up endurance in order to swim farther in the pool, while also emphasizing proper swimming techniques & strokes. In this group, we continue teaching freestyle & backstroke technique, while introducing basic breaststroke and butterfly skills. Workouts are offered five days per week for 30-minutes per day. Competition is not required initially but will be once the coach determines the child is ready.
MCLIN POOL PRACTICE GROUPS
Junior Team: The Junior Team at McLin is focused on age group swimmers 6-14 years old. These swimmers exhibit good swimming skills and will be introduced to stroke technique refinement and additional skills and processes. This training group is divided into four subgroups with BLUE group as the most advanced, followed by RED group, WHITE group, and GREEN group, with progression based on completing each level of the SPA Junior Team Exit Competencies. Workouts are offered five days per week for one-hour or 30-minutes as indicated below. Competition is required. For frequently asked questions about the Junior Team, visit our Junior Team page.
Blue Group: This group consists of the most advanced level swimmers at this facility. They are competent in all four strokes, have competed regularly and will continue to work on stroke refinement and additional skills and processes. 1-hour workouts are offered five days per week. Competition is required.
Red Group: This group consists of the intermediate level swimmers at this facility. These swimmers exhibit good swimming skills and will be introduced to stroke technique refinement and additional skills and processes. 1-hour workouts are offered five days per week. Competition is required.
White Group: Members of this group are making the transition from 30 to 60 minutes of practice. The emphasis is on stroke mechanics and basic competitive swimming skills such as circle swimming, drills, starts and turns. The White Team swims Monday through Friday. Competition is required.
Green Group: This is our first level of the program primarily for Ages 6-7 and includes swimmers that have graduated from a general swim lesson program and have basic water survival skills plus knowledge of freestyle and backstroke. The Green team members will learn more advanced competitive swimming skills that will allow them to eventually complete a full one-hour practice. We work on building up endurance in order to swim farther in the pool, while also emphasizing proper swimming technique and strokes. In this group we continue teaching freestyle and backstroke technique while introducing basic breaststroke and butterfly skills. 30-minute workouts are offered five days per week. Competitions may not be required initially but will be once the coach determines the child is ready.
WALTER FULLER POOL PRACTICE GROUPS
Blue Group: Blue team swimmers are well versed in technique and strategy and are a full-fledged year-round training group. Most of the swimmers in the Blue group are between the ages of 12-17 years old. Workouts for this group are offered Monday through Friday and last one and a half hours a day. Competition is required.
Red Group: The swimmers in this group spend the majority of the time working on refining stroke mechanics. These swimmers have begun to exhibit quality swimming skills and will be introduced to some training strategies and processes. Red Team swimmers practice Monday through Friday for one hour each day during fall, winter and spring sessions. Competition is required.
White Group: Members of this group are making the transition from swim lessons to competitive swimming. The emphasis is on stroke mechanics and basic competitive swimming skills such as circle swimming, drills and diving. The White Team swims Monday through Friday for 45 minutes each day. Competition is required.
Green Group: This is our first level of the program primarily for Ages 6-7 and includes swimmers that have graduated from a general lesson program and have basic water survival skills plus knowledge of freestyle and backstroke. The Green team members will learn more advanced competitive swimming skills that will allow them to complete a full one hour practice. We work on building up endurance in order to swim farther in the pool, while also emphasizing proper swimming technique and strokes. In this group we continue teaching freestyle and backstroke technique while introducing basic breaststroke and butterfly skills. Workouts are offered five days per week for 30-minutes each day. Competitions may not be required initially but will be once the coach determines the child is ready.
