Swim Macon is divided into 7 groups starting with the beginner pre-competitive swimmers progressing to the advanced senior training groups. Swimmers are moved up based on ability and dedication. Once all the skills are learned in each group then the swimmer may move to the next group with both coaches agreement. Trial periods are set so that the swimmers aren’t shocked when they move up (i.e. 1 day a week first, then 2 days a week). The higher levels from Gold and above, swimmers are advanced based on their dedication to the program.
Equipment can be bought online at www.augustaswimsupply.com
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Bronze
This group encompasses ages 4 – 12 years old, all are beginners and have a very basic knowledge of the four competitive strokes. An emphasis is placed on the basic stroke development and stroke technique. Swimmers also learn to dive and perform the proper turns. Swimmers are offered 3 practices per week of 45 minutes duration. They are encouraged to participate in other sports if they desire to. Coaching emphasis is on correct strokes and not distance. This group rarely does more than 50 yards at a time. Swimmers have fun with swimming games and drills. These swimmers are allowed to progress to the next level after showing a good knowledge of all four strokes, a good dive and good turns. They also must be at least 4 years of age to be in this group. Participation in competition is strictly voluntary on the swimmer’s part.
Attendance: Encouraged
Meets: Developmental meets encouraged
Equipment: SMAC Swim Cap, Goggles, Fins, Water bottle, Kick board, and a Pull Buoy
Goals: Correcting stroke technique, and developing racing skills. Having fun!
Monthly Fee: $70
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Silver
This group of swimmers is made up of advanced 6 - 12 year olds. They have 4 practice sessions of which they are encouraged to attend at least 3. The sessions last 1 hour each. They are strongly encouraged to participate in a competition once a month, mainly in 1-day meets. Swimmers compete in meets throughout the year with the goal of achieving “B” time standards. Group emphasis continues to be stroke technique with the introduction of training fundamentals for improving meet performance.
Attendance: Strongly Encouraged
Meets: Developmental meets strongly encouraged, and at least 1 day at a USS meet.
Equipment: SMAC Swim Cap, Goggles, Fins, Water bottle, Kickboard, and a Pull Buoy
Goals: Developing advanced stroke technique and racing skills. Pace Clock reading. Understanding time and achieving “B” time standards. Developing character and dedication to the sport through goals. Having Fun!
Monthly Fee: $80
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Gold
The Gold team is designed for skilled and experienced age group swimmers, ages 12 & under. Swimmers train 5 days a week for 1 ˝ hours each session. Stroke technique and race rehearsal prepare this group for local, state, and regional competition. Members compete in meets throughout the year with the goal of achieving “A” through National Age Group Top 16 standards. Group’s emphasis is on setting and achievement of each athlete’s goals within the Swim Macon team setting.
Attendance: 4 days a week minimum
Meets: USS meets
Equipment: 2 sets of SMAC Swim Caps, 2 pairs of Goggles, Fins, Water bottle, Kickboard and a Pull Buoy.
Goals: To achieve elite status in age group swimming. Achieving Age group state cuts. Achieving “A” to T10 standards. Developing advanced stroke technique and racing skills. Developing training work ethic and training goals. Building a strong character. Having Fun!
Monthly Fee: $90
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Junior 1
Advanced age group & High School swimmers, ages 12 & up. Members compete in meets throughout the year with the goal of achieving “B” time standards. Group emphasis continues to be stroke technique with the introduction of training fundamentals for improving meet performance. Swimmers train 4 days a week with no attendance requirement. This group is mainly compromised of lesser-committed swimmers who just want to stay in shape for the High School season. It is also a stepping-stone for the swimmers who aren’t quite ready for the Junior 2 group. They are given challenging workouts that push them towards making a bigger commitment to the team.
Attendance: Encouraged
Meets: Developmental and USS meets are encouraged.
Equipment: SMAC Swim Cap, Goggles, Fins, Water bottle, Kickboard and a Pull Buoy.
Goals: To maintain swimming fitness for the lesser committed swimmers. To help older swimmers improve their skills so that they can move up to the Junior level. Having Fun!
Monthly Fee: $85
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Junior 2
Athletes in this group are skilled and experienced age group swimmers, ages 11 & up. Stroke technique and race rehearsal prepare athletes for local, state, and regional competition. Members compete in meets throughout the year with the goal of achieving “A” time standards. Group emphasis is on setting and achievement of each athlete’s goals within the Swim Macon team setting. A dry land program is offered 2 days a week to develop core strength and power. These swimmers are encouraged to make a commitment to the sport of swimming and to limit outside activities that would interfere with their training. Swimmers are guided through a periodization training system. The year is split into 3 seasons, which is then broken down into 4-week training cycles.
Attendance: 5 days a week minimum (Saturdays required)
Meets: USS meets
Equipment: 2 sets of SMAC Swim Caps, 2 pairs of Goggles, Fins, Water bottle, Hand Paddles, Kickboard, Swimmer’s snorkel, and a Pull Buoy. Drag suit optional.
Encouraged Reading: Gold in the Water by P.H. Mullen
Goals: To achieve state cuts. Achieving “A” or higher time standards. Maintaining a strong training work ethic and establish training goals. Instilling advanced stroke technique and racing skills. Developing time management and building a strong character. Having Fun!
Monthly Fee: $95
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Senior
This group comprises those swimmers who are completely dedicated to the sport of swimming. They do not participate in any other sport or outside activity except for swimming. Those swimmers who opt to participate in another activity must move down to the Junior group until they are able and willing to commit to only swimming again. These swimmers are ages 12 and above to be in this group. Practices are offered six times a week for 2 –3 hours per practice. Dry land is offered 2 times per week for 1 hour per session in addition to the water time. The Senior Team is designed to prepare athletes for competition in Senior State, Sectional, Junior Nationals, Senior Nationals and other selected meets. Selection to this group is by invitation only and is based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, talent, work ethic, a desire to train and compete at this level, attendance, and a commitment to personal and team excellence. Swimmers who meet the prerequisites and choose to enter this group will be presented with a challenging training program geared towards future success. All high school Juniors and Seniors will be encouraged to continue swimming in college. Swimmers are guided through a periodization training system. The year is split into 3 seasons, which is then broken down into 4-week training cycles.
Attendance: 6 days a week minimum
Meets: USS meets Equipment: 2 sets of SMAC Swim Caps, 2 pairs of Goggles, Fins, Water bottle, Hand Paddles, Kickboard, Swimmer’s snorkel, and a Pull Buoy. A drag suit is encouraged.
Encouraged Reading: Gold in the Water by P.H. Mullen
Goals: To become an elite swimmer. Achieve national cuts. Achieving “AAA” or higher time standards. Maintaining an optimal training work ethic and establish high training goals. Maintaining advanced stroke technique and racing skills. Optimizing time management and building a strong character. Developing leadership skills. Having Fun!
Monthly Fee: $100
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Swimmers are moved up on the swimmer's ability to be able to handle the new group practice. The swimmer must demonstrate the appropriate stroke mechanics and ability to handle the new practice workload. The Coach of the swimmer's current group must recommend to the Coach of the new practice group so that the new coach can observe the swimmer and decide if he feels that the swimmer will be able to keep up in the new group. Swimmers are normally moved up at 3 different times of the year
- Beginning of the Fall Season in August
- In the middle of December
- Beginning of the Summer Season - usually first of April.
Occasionally a swimmer may be moved up at some other time if both coaches feel if it is in the best interest of the swimmer.
If you feel that your child should be moved up, please see your child's current coach and discuss this with him.
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