Practice Attendance
Practice Groups & Attendance Guidelines
Success in competitive swimming is built on consistency. While we understand that our athletes are often balancing school and other activities, we have established the following attendance recommendations and requirements to ensure every swimmer reaches their full potential.
Developmental Track (Ages 6–14)
Focus: Stroke fundamentals, introduction to racing, and building endurance.
| Group Name | Duration | Minimum Recommended Attendance |
| Pond Pups | 45 Min | 2 workouts / week |
| Lake Sharks | 60 Min | 2–3 workouts / week |
| River Sharks | 75 Min | 3 workouts / week |
| Quarry Sharks | 90 Min | 3–4 workouts / week |
Advanced & Senior Track (Ages 10–18)
Focus: High-level age group competition and senior-level performance.
| Group Name | Duration | Attendance & Meet Requirements |
| Apex Predators | 1 hr 45 min | 3–4 workouts / week. Must attend 2–3 meets per season + Championships. |
| Seniors | 2 Hours | 3+ workouts / week.Must attend 2 meets per season + Championships. |
| Senior Elite | 2 Hours | 4+ workouts / week.Must attend 2 meets per season + Championships. |
| National Team | 2 Hours | REQUIRED: 3+ workouts / week (More encouraged). Must attend 3 meets per season + Championships. |
The Path to Progression: Move-Up Requirements
Moving to the next group is based on a combination of age, technical skill, interval capacity (Move-up Sets), and coach recommendation.
- Skill & Technical Milestones
- To Lake Sharks: Must swim a 200 IM (3/4 strokes legal), perform a headfirst dive, and a correct flip turn.
- To River Sharks: Must swim all strokes/turns legally, use the pace clock (Top/Bottom), and show social/emotional readiness.
- To Seniors: Must be at least 13 years old and demonstrate leadership and improvement in meets.
- To National Team: Must achieve a Winter Speedos qualifying time and practice at an elite level.
- Benchmark "Move-Up" Sets
Swimmers must demonstrate they can maintain specific intervals to ensure they can keep up with the pace of the next group.
- Pond Pups ➠ Lake Sharks: 200 IM (3/4 strokes legal) with minimal stopping.
- Lake Sharks ➠ River Sharks: 8 X 100 Free @ 2:15 OR 5 X 100 IM @ 2:30.
- River Sharks ➠ Quarry Sharks: 8 X 100 Free @ 1:55 OR 5 X 100 IM @ 2:15.
- Quarry Sharks ➠ Apex/Senior: 10 X 100 Free @ 1:40 OR 8 X 100 IM @ 1:55.
- Senior Elite ➠ National: 10 X 100 Free @ 1:15.
Note to Parents: Advancement is not strictly about speed. Coaches look for swimmers who are "ready socially, emotionally, and physically" to handle the increased yardage and focus of the next level. If you have questions about your swimmer's progress, please reach out to their primary coach.