Program Information

Ripples | 8 & Under
Bronze, Silver, Gold 
 

Bronze |

• Swimmers must complete a 25 of freestyle (with attempt at rotary breathing) and backstroke with confidence.
• Should demonstrate an understanding of breaststroke and butterfly, but may not be able to complete a single legal stroke.
• Swimmers must have a desire to compete and improve, and show a willingness to train under coach supervision without aid of a family member.
• Swimmers will compete in a minimum of one meet every 2 months, with a preference of one meet each month.
• Expected practice commitment: 2 days per week.

Silver |

• Swimmers must complete a 25 of freestyle with rotary breathing, 25 backstroke with confidence, and a 25 of either Breaststroke or Butterfly.
• While competence is not required in the fourth stroke, an understanding of the general mechanics should be present.
• Swimmers should plan to compete in one meet every month, including 8&U Championships in February.
• Swimmers in this group are working toward legal 25s of all four strokes the 100IM, 50s of three strokes, and the 100 and 200 free.
• Expected practice commitment: 2-3 days per week.

Gold |

• Swimmers must complete a legal 25 of each of the four competitive strokes.
• Swimmers should demonstrate proper drop-ins, streamlines, and other fundamental habits.
• Swimmers should plan to compete in one meet every month, including 8&U Championships in February.
• 8yo Gold Swimmers should plan to attend 2 long course practices throughout the summer and compete in long course season in preparation for aging up to Waves.
• 7yo Gold Swimmers will need their coach’s recommendation for long course, as they will train with Waves Silver. 
• Swimmers in Ripples Gold will be working toward 50s of all competitive strokes, the 200IM, 100s of three strokes (Free, Back, and either Fly or Breast), the 200 and 500 Free.
• Expected practice commitment 3 days per week.

Waves | ages 9-12

Bronze | 

• Bronze is geared towards intermediate swimmers who are legal (and generally competent in 50 Free, 50 Back and either 50 Breast or 50 Butterfly) – and have a desire to compete.
• Waves Bronze swimmers are expected to compete in one swim meet per month during the short course season.
• Waves Bronze swimmers will have the option of competing in long course (with coach recommendation), or moving into the Summer Swim Tune Up program in March.
• This is a progressive program that builds upon skills throughout the season.
• Swimmers are working towards Waves Silver or Riptides Bronze.
• Bronze Swimmers are working toward IM Ready.
• Swimmers are expected to attend 3 practice sessions per week, plus dryland 2-3 times per week.
   

Silver |

• Silver is a year-round competitive program for swimmers aged 9-11 who are “IM Ready”
  and can legally perform all four competitive strokes and the 100IM.
• Swimmers will be working toward IM Extreme events (100s, 200IM, 400 or 500 free), 200s of three strokes (Free, Back and either Fly or Breast), and the 800 Free.
• Silver level Waves are expected to compete in 1 meet per month, including District Championships and possibly Age Group Championships, and attend 3-4 practices sessions per week, plus dryland 2-3 times per week.
• These swimmers will be working towards BB and higher times for their age group.
   

Gold |

• Gold swimmers are year-round swimmers aged 9-11 who are “IM Extreme” working to extend their endurance and technical competency at even longer races.
• Swimmers in this group will be working to swim their first “mile” event.
• Swimmers are expected to compete in one meet per month, including District Championships and/or Age Group Championships.
• Gold swimmers should plan to attend practices 4-5 times per week, plus dryland 2-3 times per week.

Riptides | ages 11-14

Riptides is our Middle School program for competitive swimmers ages 11-14.  Swimmers at this level have chosen swimming as their primary competitive sport.

Bronze |

• ​​Bronze swimmers are year-round swimmers who are IM Ready. They can swim every stroke legally for at least 50 yards, the 100IM and 100 freestyle. 
• Bronze level swimmers will be working toward 100s of every stroke, plus the 200IM and 500 freestyle.
• Our goal is for all bronze level swimmers to compete both long course and short course, and attend one meet per month.
• Swimmers are expected to compete at District Championships.
• Swimmers are expected to practice 3-4 times per week (Monday-Thursday), plus dryland 2-3 times per week.

 Silver |  

• Silver swimmers are year-round swimmers who can swim 100s of each stroke, the 200IM, and 500 Free.
• Silver level swimmers will be working toward 200s of every stroke, plus the 400IM, and 1000 freestyle.
• We expect Silver Riptides to compete both short course and long course, and attend one meet per month.
• Swimmers are expected to compete in District Champs and/or Age Group Championships. 
• Generally, swimmers at this level will have multiple BB to A times for an 11 year old.
• Swimmers are expected to swim 4-5 times per week (Monday-Saturday), plus dryland 2-4 times per week.

 Gold |  

• Gold swimmers are year-round swimmers who can swim 200s of each of the four competitive strokes, the 400IM and the 1000 freestyle.
• We expect Gold Riptides to compete both short course and long course, and attend one meet per month.
• Swimmers are expected to compete in Age Group Championships.
• Generally, swimmers at this level will have multiple A, AA, AAA, or AAAA times for a 12 year old, and multiple Age Group Championship times.
• Swimmers should plan to practice 5-6 times per week, plus dryland 3-5 times per week.

Tsunamis | ages 14+

• To swim in the Tsunami program, swimmers must be proficient in all four competitive strokes, turns, and competitive starts.
• They are also committed to swim as their primary competitive sport.
• Tsunamis are not formally broken down into Bronze, Silver, Gold or Gold-Elite – but the programming is in place to create those breakouts as the team grows, additional specialization.
• Tsunamis are expected to practice 3-6 times per week, plus dryland 3-5 times per week and at the highest championship meet to which they are qualified.
• All swimmers will be working towards IM Extreme events and the 400IM, and the 1650, and improving their times.
• Technical focus does not go away – attention to details – and practice habits – at this level is even more important, as swimmers are fighting for ever smaller drops. Doing strokes better to become faster never ends.

Ripcurrent | Developmental Group

• Bronze | ages 10 & Under - FLEX USA Swimming Member
• Silver | ages 9-12 - FLEX USA Swimming Member
• Gold | ages 13 & Over - aka High School Prep - Seasonal USA Swimming Member

The Ripcurrent program is a technique focused program, with outcome goals for successful summer and high school swimming seasons in mind – and is also our transition program to competitive Ripples, Waves, Riptides, and Tsunami training groups.

All Ripcurrent programs currently offer two practices per week. In order to maximize the experience and enable programs to remain cost effective (and competitive), those program days are set. Should demand exceed lane space, we will open additional days (practices occur M/W or T/Th). Additionally, as demand for HS Prep (Ripcurrent Gold) grows, we may increase those offerings for that level.

• There is no requirement for competing, although it is encouraged.
• Ripcurrent Members will still have access to team clinics (generally beginner to intermediate levels), and are invited to all team functions.
• Ripcurrent Members may join at any time during the season, and “flex” in and out of the program. Ripcurrent training plans run on a 6-week cycle. Reinforcing key concepts for all four strokes each cycle. Swimmers who are in the Ripcurrent programming for longer periods of time will have their plans adjusted (increased distance, more advanced drill work, or faster repeats) to ensure they continue advancing their endurance and competence.
• Ripcurrent Members have lower fundraising and volunteer expectations but still have requirements to remain in good standing.
• Ripcurrent Members will participate in individual recognition programs and group contests, but as they do not generally compete for the team – and often flex in and out – they generally will not meet the criteria to earn other end of year awards.

Ripcurrent Entry Level Requirements:

• Bronze (10&U): performs a 25 freestyle and 25 backstroke without assistance. No time requirement.
• Silver (9-12): performs a 50 freestyle (with rotary breathing), and 50 backstroke with confidence. Understanding of all four strokes but may not be able to complete them.
• Gold (13&Over): performs a 50 freestyle (with rotary breathing, and 50 backstroke with confidence. Understanding of all four strokes but may not be able to complete them.