The SOCAL Aquatics Association offers training and practice groups for swimmers of all ages and ability levels. Our goal is to offer age-specific training for all of our athletes geared towards challenging each individual and developing each individual to the best of their abilities. The coaching staff has the final say in all swimmer placements and can move swimmers into or out of groups regardless if criteria is made.
To schedule a tryout, Click Here or send us an email at info@socalaquatics.com to request for more information.
Age Group Program (12 & Under)
Sea Turtles (Novice 5-8 year olds)
The Sea Turtles group is an introductory level program for new swimmers ages 5-8. This group is coached by one coach from outside the water and an additional coach helping from in the water. The group focuses on teaching our Sea Turtles to swim all four strokes legally, as well as diving and proper turns. Practices are offered five days a week for 60 minutes.
Criteria for Entry: Be able to comfortably swim 25 yards of freestyle with side breathing and 25 yards of streamline kicking on back.
Required Equipment: SOCAL swimsuit, goggles, kickboard, pair of fins.
Recommended Equipment: Waterproof headset.
Minnows (7-8 year olds)
The Minnows group is an elite program for continuing swimmers ages 8 and under. Entry into this group requires the swimmer to be legal in all competitive swim strokes and be able to swim a 50 yard freestyle under the 5-8 "B" Time Standard (48.60 for girls, 47.30 for boys). Minnows will continue to work on stroke refinement and will be given an introduction into training methods and racing strategies. They will also learn how to use the pace clock. The swimmers will get their first experience of what a "swimming workout" is all about! Practices are offered five days a week for 60 minutes.
Criteria for Entry: Legal in all strokes, 5-8 "B" time or faster in the 50y freestyle.
Required Equipment: SOCAL swimsuit, goggles, kickboard, pair of fins, waterproof headset
Black 1 (Elite 9-10 year olds)
The Black 1 group is a competitive program for continuing swimmers ages 9-10. Entry into this group requires the swimmer to be legal in all four competitive swim strokes and be able to swim a 100 yard freestyle in the 7-10 "B" time standard. Advanced racing and training methods are taught at this level, and the daily workouts are intense! Practices are offered five days a week for 90 minutes.
Criteria for Entry: 7-10 "B" time standard or faster in the 100 freestyle, legal in all four strokes.
Required Equipment: SOCAL swimsuit, goggles, kickboard, pair of fins, pull buoy, paddles, waterproof headset
Black 2 (Novice 9-10 year olds)
The Black 2 group is a novice program for new and continuing swimmers ages 9-10. Swimmers need to be able to comfortably swim 25 yards of freestyle with side breathing in order to be admitted. The group focuses on learning and refining the four competitive strokes, learning to use the pace clock, and learning how to race! Practices are offered five days a week for 1 hour.
Criteria for Entry: Be able to comfortably swim 25 yards of freestyle with side breathing.
Required Equipment: SOCAL swimsuit, goggles, kickboard, pair of fins.
Recommended Equipment: Waterproof headset.
Pre Senior 1 (Elite 11-12 year olds)
The Pre Senior 1 group is focused on swimming fast at high level competitions! Admittance to this training group requires a 1:15 or faster in the 100 freestyle and to be able to keep up with a workout aimed at elite level swimming. All swimmers are to be legal in all four strokes and demonstrate legal starts and turns as well. Advanced training methods and racing strategies are taught and refined, as well as stroke efficiency and power. Streamlining and dolphin kicking work is a large part of the training of this group. Practices are offered five days a week and range in duration from 120 minutes to 90 minutes.
Criteria for Entry: 1:15.99 or faster in the 100 freestyle, legal in all four strokes.
Required Equipment: SOCAL swimsuit, goggles, kickboard, pair of fins. pull buoy, paddles, parachute, waterproof headset.
Pre Senior 2 (Novice 11-12 year olds)
The Pre Senior group is a novice program for new and continuing swimmers ages 11-12. Swimmers need to be able to comfortably swim 25 yards of freestyle with side breathing in order to be admitted. The group focuses on learning and refining the four competitive strokes, learning to use the pace clock, and learning how to race! Practices are offered five days a week and range in duration from 60 to 90 minutes.
Criteria for Entry: Be able to comfortably swim 25 yards of freestyle with side breathing.
Required Equipment: SOCAL swimsuit, goggles, kickboard, pair of fins, pull buoy.
Recommended Equipment: Waterproof headset.
Senior Level Program (Ages 13+)
Bronze 1 and 2 Groups
The Bronze groups are a continuing level program for swimmers ages 13-18 who have learned the basic skills of freestyle and backstroke. Bronze 1 is for swimmers who have demonstrated strong stroke understanding and are looking to take their training to higher levels. Bronze 1 swimmers will have experience competing in high school meets or USA Swimming meets and will be working towards making National A time standards in their best events.
The emphasis for Bronze 2 is refining the backstroke and freestyle. Additionally, swimmers will work towards having legal butterfly and breast strokes. Swimmers will be introduced to turns, dives as well as how to use the pace clock. Practices will consist of approximately 60% Technique and 40% Aerobic training. Practices for both groups range from One to One hour and thirty minutes offered five times a week and some Saturdays. Swimmers are strongly recommended to attend at least 3 practices per week. Swimmers will be asked to purchase fins, and a kickboard, and pull buoys for use during practices.
Bronze 2 Criteria:
·Be at least 13 years old
·Be able to swim 50 yards Freestyle with side breathing
·Be able to swim 50 yards Backstroke with good body position.
·Competes at swim meets at least once per quarter and all SOCAL Meets.
Bronze 1 Criteria:
·Be at least 13 years old
·Practice 1 hour 30 minutes 3 times per week.
·2 Nat B time standards in any events (in current age group).
·Legal in all four competitive strokes & complete USA Swimming IMX events annually (SCY or LCM)
·Competes at swim meets at least once per Month and all SOCAL Meets.
Silver Group
The Silver group is designed for advanced swimmers ages 13-18 who have mastered the basic skills of all four competitive strokes. Swimmers will also demonstrate a strong understanding of turns, starts, and the use of the pace clock. This group will be introduced to more advanced practice drills and race strategies. The focus will be on achieving Invitational, Age Group & Elite Championships & SCS Sr Dev time standards. Practices will consist of approximately 30% Technique and 70% Aerobic training. Practices are offered 6 days a week, and during some periods doubles will be offered. Swimmers are strongly recommended to attend at least 5 practices per week. Swimmers will be asked to purchase fins, kickboards, hand paddles, fulcrum paddles, a competitive swim snorkel, and a pull buoy for use during practices.
Criteria:
·Be at least 13 years old
·2 Nat A time standards.
·Be legal in all four competitive strokes & complete USA Swimming IMX events annually (SCY or LCM)
·Can swim 8 x 100-yard Freestyle at 1:20 intervals (1:15 recommended).
·Practice 4 times per week.
·Competes at swim meets at least once per month and all SOCAL Meets.
Gold/Platinum Groups
The Gold and Platinum groups are designed to enhance the skills of high school-aged year-round competitive swimmers who are proficient in the four competitive strokes. These groups include a select group of athletes recommended by their coach based upon experience, age, ability and commitment. Advanced race strategies, as well as aerobic and anaerobic training regimes, will be used. At this level, an education element will be added to the program including goal setting, nutrition, time management, mental strategies, and college planning. The focus of these groups will be on achieving Invite, Age Group Championships, Senior Development, Sectional, and National time standards. Practices will be offered six days a week and doubles could be introduced during specific training periods. Practice attendance minimums will be decided by the coach on an individual basis. Dryland work will also be introduced. Swimmers will be asked to purchase an equipment bag containing fins, snorkel, kickboard, and pull buoy and paddles.
Platinum Criteria:
The standard for continued participation in the Platinum group is a Sectional Qualifying time.
Can kick 8 x 100 @ 1:30
Gold Criteria:
High School Freshman or above
2 Senior Western Zone Qualifying Times for swimmers 13 & up
Can kick 8 x 100 @ 1:40
