Guppies: Beginner

The Guppies-Beginner group is our entry-level group, typically ages 8 and under. Swimmers should be able to swim 25 yards of legal backstroke and freestyle, may be familiar with breaststroke and butterfly, and tread water for 30 seconds without rest. They must be comfortable putting their face in the water and using competition goggles. Guppies-Beginner practices two times per week for one hour.

The Guppies-Beginner focus is to establish a strong foundation of skills and techniques in a fun environment that encourages continued participation in the sport. Athletes and parents are introduced to competitive meets, and swimmers may have opportunities to qualify for championship-level competitions.

Guppies: Advanced

The Guppies-Advanced group is our more advanced Guppy group, typically ages 8 and under. Swimmers should be working toward swimming all four strokes legally for 15 to 25 yards and be able to tread water for one minute unassisted. They must be comfortable putting their face in the water and using competition goggles. These swimmers are beginning to develop streamline and turns and are working toward the Bronze benchmarks. Guppies-Advanced  practices three times per week for one hour.

The Guppies-Advanced  focus is to build on a strong foundation of skills and techniques in a fun environment that encourages continued participation in the sport, while preparing swimmers to transition into Bronze when they are ready. Athletes and parents are introduced to competitive meets, and swimmers may have opportunities to qualify for championship-level competitions.

Bronze:

The Bronze group is made up of swimmers typically ages 9 to 10. Swimmers should be able to swim 50 yards of all four strokes legally with a flip turn for freestyle and backstroke, and perform a legal dive from the starting block. These swimmers are transitioning from learning stroke fundamentals to learning how to practice and swim sets on intervals. They should be working toward MASI 10 & Under championship qualifying times. Practices are offered four days per week for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Silver: 

The Silver group is made up of age group swimmers, typically ages 11 to 14, who are able to complete a 50 of each stroke, a 100 IM, and a 100 freestyle legally with flip turns. Swimmers in this group are working toward Silver Championship or Junior Championship qualifying times. Practices are offered four days per week for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, with additional time for dryland.

Silver is a developmental group. Swimmers build on the fundamental skills and techniques taught in Bronze and progress to a more advanced level of learning that requires implementing specific skills in practice sets, including clock management and set-reading. Establishing good habits in a practice setting translates to better performances at meets, as well as long-term development in the sport of swimming. Silver athletes will try new events to promote and reward versatility as they compete at the local, state, and possibly regional level. The goal of the Silver group is to prepare each swimmer to move up into Gold or Platinum when they are ready, based on readiness and commitment rather than age.

Gold: 

The Gold group is made up of age group swimmers, typically ages 11 to 12, who are able to complete a 100 of each stroke, a 200 IM, and a 500 freestyle legally. Swimmers in this group are working toward Junior Championship qualifying times. Practices are offered five days per week for 1 hour and 30 minutes.

In the Gold group, swimmers' focus broadens substantially. Swimmers learn about the effect their decisions and behavior outside of the pool have on their performance in the pool. Athletes continue to build on good practice habits with progressive skills, drills, and a variety of techniques, working to challenge themselves and prepare for the senior level. Gold group swimmers compete at the local, state, and regional level. Competing at the highest-level meet they are qualified for starts to become a priority, giving them a glimpse of their future swimming experiences.

Platinum: 

The Platinum groups are made up of our most experienced senior swimmers, ages 13 and over, who are able to complete a 200 of each stroke, a 400 IM, and a 1650 legally. Platinum swimmers receive the same coaching, standards, and practice content across both groups; interval assignments may vary slightly depending on which swimmers are training together. The two Platinum groups offer different schedules so each swimmer can pursue their goals in a way that fits their life outside the pool.

In Platinum, swimmers continue to be taught progressively, but emphasis is placed on taking ownership of their individual goals and the path to achieving them. Swimmers take greater ownership over their goals and discuss potential collegiate swimming opportunities. Many Platinum swimmers also compete for their high schools, and coaches support their preparation for PIAA (high school state) championships. As the most senior swimmers of SVAC, members of both Platinum groups are expected to serve as positive role models for their younger counterparts on the team and may be asked to take part in a variety of volunteering opportunities within team events.

Platinum: Senior

The Platinum – Senior group is for swimmers ages 13 and over who want a five-day-per-week training schedule. Practices are offered five days per week for 2 hours. Swimmers in this group are working toward or have obtained Silver Championship, Junior Championship, Senior Championship, Eastern Zone Championship, or Sectionals qualifying times.

Platinum: National

Platinum – National group is for swimmers ages 13 and over who want a more rigorous six-day-per-week training schedule. Practices are offered six days per week for 2 hours. Swimmers in this group are working toward or have obtained Silver Championship, Junior Championship, Senior Championship, Eastern Zone Championship, or Sectionals qualifying times, and may also be working toward Futures and Junior National qualifying times.