Teams
Senior Division
Senior Elite (SRE)
This is our highest level training group and requires the greatest commitment from the swimmers. These athletes have shown dedication to training, racing, their goals, and the team. Athletes in this group are expected to have already achieved a regional level competition qualification (SWAGR/Age Group or Senior Zones/Sectionals), and be competing in multiple high-level meets every season, in any strokes which they have qualified and for any distance. Practices for this group happen the most often and require the highest level of attendance, at a minimum of 85% attendance for membership in this group. There will be many opportunity for local and out-of-state travel meets. Athletes in this group are expected to swim at many of these throughout the season, missing as few opportunities for growth as a competitor as is possible. The minimum age requirement for this group is 13 years old, and athletes are expected to have a fitting level of ability and maturity to keep up, both in practice and at competitions.
Senior Regional (SRR)
This group is designed for high-achieving athletes with other obligations and/or training constraints that do not allow for the rigors and/or time commitment of SRR or SRE. Many of these swimmers excel within NM Swimming (NM Swimming & NMAA State Finalists) and have competed regionally (Sr. Zones, Sectionals, Futures), other swimmers will have achieved state times (or are approaching such) and are working diligently toward regional-level competition.In addition to developing a strong aerobic base, practices tend toward increasing volume with a stable focus on well developed form. Good habits are a must moving forward in this group, and athletes are expected to come to practices regularly in order to have consistent growth. The minimum acceptable attendance in this group is making it to 75% of practices. Swimmers in this group will have opportunities to compete in both local and out-of-town group travel meets and are expected to swim at many of these throughout the season, missing only few opportunities for growth as a competitor. The minimum age requirement for this group is 12 years old, and athletes are expected to have a fitting level of ability and maturity to keep up, both in practice and at competitions.
Senior Performance (SRP)
This group will continue to master technique in all four strokes and the underwater dolphin kick. Swimmers will TRAIN TO TRAIN. Training methodology and heart rate work will be learned in this group. Swimmers will begin to work more with race strategy. Dryland takes on a greater importance with dedicated dryland training sessions in addition to their daily on deck warm-up.
Senior (SR)
This Group of Swimmers will continue the development of proper stroke mechanics for all strokes, as well as starts and turns. There will be dedicated dryland training sessions in addition to their daily on deck warm-up. There will continue to be a large emphasis on developing a strong and consistent kick for all four strokes. Swimmers will learn to incorporate the underwater dolphin kick. Swimmers will TRAIN TO TRAIN.
Age Groups
Bolts | Ages: 11 & Under
Swimmers will continue the development of proper stroke mechanics for all strokes, as well as starts and turns. There will continue to be a large emphasis on developing a strong and consistent kick for all four strokes. Swimmers will begin to incorporate the underwater dolphin kick. Swimmers will LEARN TO TRAIN. There will be an introduction to higher levels of competition. There will be the addition of dedicated dryland training sessions in addition to their daily on deck warm-up.
Lightning | Ages: 12-14
This group will emphasize more advanced stroke technique for all strokes, including refined starts and turns. The underwater dolphin kick will begin to be mastered. Goal setting and mental training will also be introduced. Swimmers will begin to work more with race strategy. All previous instruction will be continued and advanced. Dryland will become a more integral part of training with dedicated dryland training sessions in addition to their daily on deck warm-up. Swimmers will LEARN TO TRAIN and will be prepared for a successful transition into senior swimming.
Lightning Regional | 12-14
This group will begin to master technique in all four strokes. They will also begin to master the underwater dolphin kick. Swimmers will TRAIN TO TRAIN. Training methodology and heart rate work will be learned in this group. Swimmers will begin to work more with race strategy. Dryland takes on a greater importance to the athlete and will be emphasized with dedicated dryland training sessions in addition to their daily on deck warm-up. Swimmers will be prepared for a successful transition into regional or elite level senior swimming.
Developmental Programs
Gold Team
This group is designed with the improvement of physical and emotional maturity as athletes in mind, and will focus on the improvement of individual athletes’ maturity and overall physical literacy with the hopes of becoming an effective athlete and eventually moving on to one of the Age Groups. The minimum age requirement for athletes in this division is 10 years old, with a hope that they will have moved their way to a group with a higher level of training and competition by around the age of 12. Athletes in this division are expected to become comfortable with both Freestyle and Backstroke, while working towards an ability to swim both Flye and Breaststroke.
Silver Team
This group is designed with the improvement of physical and emotional maturity in mind, and will focus on the improvement of individual athletes’ comfort in water and overall physical literacy with the hopes of building the foundation for a successful athletic career and eventually moving on to the Gold Division. The minimum age requirement for this group is 8 years old, with a hope that the athlete will be able to move up to the next level group by around the age of 10 years old. Athletes in this division are expected to start getting comfortable with longer distances of Freestyle and Backstroke, and will begin to build on an ability to swim short distances of both Flye and Breaststroke.
Bronze Team
This group is designed with the improvement of physical and emotional maturity as athletes in mind, and will focus on the improvement of individual athletes’ comfort and overall physical literacy with the hopes of eventually moving on to the Gold Division. The minimum age requirement for this group is 5 years old, with a hope that the athlete will be able to move up to the next level group by around the age of 8 years old. Athletes in this division are expected to be beginning to gain proficiency in both Freestyle and Backstroke, and will be expected to improve upon this during their time in this division
