SPA Group Structure and Descriptions
The purpose of our group structure is to place your athlete at the appropriate level for THEM. For move ups, the goal is that your swimmer is in the middle of the pack in the next higher group. Please remember: the coaches get nothing from holding your swimmer back!
The SPA group structure also focuses on LONG TERM development - developing athletes from 8-18 (but they can still start younger!).
SPA Age Group Structure
FUNdamentals - 10 and under (Elementary School)
Bronze 1 - 3 x :45 practices per week
Practices emphasizing fun and technique. This group is designed for those relatively new to the sport. Swimmers should have a foundation in all 4 strokes. Have some basic training capacity for freestyle and backstroke with legal and emerging ability in butterfly and breaststroke.
Bronze 2 - 4 x 1:00 practices per week
Practices emphasizing skills, technique, and fun. This group is for athletes that have a foundation in all 4 strokes, have existing swimming experience, and are ready to begin learning advanced skills.
Bronze FLEX - 1 x :45 practice per week
This group is for swimmers 14&U that would like to get an introduction to competitive swimming.
Pre-Senior - 11 - 14 (Middle School)
Silver - 5 x 1:30 - 2:00 practices per week
- Practices emphasizing skills, technique, and fun. This group is for athletes that have a foundation in all 4 strokes and are ready to begin learning advanced skills.
- 80% practice attendance encouraged
- Must be legal in all 4 strokes
- Must be able to hold a 2:00 interval in the 100 Free
- Must be able to hold a 2:30 interval in a 100 kick
Required Equipment:
- Kickboard
- Snorkel
- Fins
- Pull Buoy
Gold - 5 x 1:30 - 2:00 practices per week
- Practices emphasizing skills, technique, and achievement in practice and competition.
- 90% Practice attendance encouraged
- 100% Meet attendance encouraged to assigned meets
- Age Group State qualified
- IMX Qualified in their age group
- Must be able to hold a 1:45 interval in the 100 Free
- Must be able to hold a 2:15 interval in a 100 kick
Required Equipment:
- Kickboard
- Snorkel
- Fins
- Pull Buoy
- Paddles
Note: A high school aged swimmer may be temporarily placed in the Pre-Senior group if they are relatively new to swimming. This will help them prepare for the rigors of the Senior group.
SPA Senior Group Structure
SPA Senior 1 - High School
Senior 1 is for high school aged athletes whose goal is to obtain State cuts as well as to train in the off-season for their high school team. Senior 1 is designed to develop technique in all strokes as well as provide intensity and endurance training. 8 practices a week are offered, with 3 dryland workouts. Practices emphasize skills, technique, race strategies, and competition achievements.
Senior 1 athletes are also expected to serve as role models and mentors to the younger athletes on the team.
Required Equipment
- Mesh Bag
- Kickboard
- Fins
- Pull Buoy
- Paddles
- Tempo Trainer
- Snorkel
- Water Bottle
- Appropriate Dryland Clothes and Shoes.
SPA Senior 2 (High Performance) - High School
This group is recommended for swimmers 14 and over who are already at or very close to the State level, and who wish to participate in Sectional and National competitions.
This group trains 10 practices a week, with 3 dryland practices per week. Practices emphasize skills, technique, race strategies, and competition achievements.
College swimming is another main objective of swimmers in the High Performance Group and assistance with the recruiting process is offered to all group members.
Senior 2 athletes are also expected to serve as role models and mentors to the younger athletes on the team.
- 100% practice attendance is encouraged
- 100% Meet attendance encouraged to assigned meets
Required Equipment:
- Mesh Bag
- Kickboard
- Fins
- Pull Buoy
- Paddles
- Tempo Trainer
- Snorkel
- Water Bottle
- Appropriate Dryland Clothes and Shoes.
SPA Cultural Expectionals:
1. SPA ENGAGES Coaches and Teammates Like the Best Team
2. SPA PREPARES Like the Best Team
3. SPA LOOKS Like the Best Team
4. SPA CHEERS Like the Best Team
