Training Groups

Swimmers will be moved between groups at the discretion of the coaches based on their ability and dedication.

Seniors

Stingray’s Senior group is an advanced competitive training group where swimmers are pushed to find their physical thresholds in all modalities of training. They are introduced to the latest and most advanced training concepts, goal setting and educated to understand the commitment and intricacies of elite swimming. Coaches of this group strive to inspire their swimmers to push themselves beyond their limits to help build confidence and promote an exciting training environment. We require the Senior swimmers to participate in all hosted meets and one end of the season (championship) meet per season (2 per year).

Gold

Gold swimmers are introduced to advanced training methods and have the opportunity to swim some practices with our senior swimmers to help foster a fun and competitive environment. The main emphasis is on the retention of the fundamentals learned in the bronze and silver squads. Swimmers should capitalize on what they have learned as they are introduced to the latest and most advanced skills and drills as race strategy is refined before competition preparedness is introduced. The gold group is required to participate in all hosted meets and one end-of-season (championship) meet per year. Coaches aim to continue the spirit of a team environment and strive to create a fun and passionate group.

Silver

The Silver group is intended for swimmers who have developed the necessary skills to compete in all four-stroke disciplines. The foundations learned in Bronze are vital and must be reinforced whilst maintaining a fun and exciting environment. Additional team- building activities, racing, and games are often used to further develop a team spirit and philosophy. Basic swimming sets are used to highlight the importance of hard work, as swimmers progress both in skill and swimming vernacular they are then introduced to basic training concepts such as track starts, competitive flip turns, underwater techniques, and race skills such as pacing and reading the clock. All these important skills are developed progressively. Engaging swimmers on a regular basis will ingrain these newly learned motor skills so that swimmers can apply them when racing. Silver swimmers are required to participate in all Stingray-hosted meets and are encouraged to participate in select away meets.

Bronze

The club’s ethos is one of teamwork and self-improvement. All four-stroke disciplines are introduced and taught in such a way that enables each swimmer to swim legally in competition. The coaches establish these key swimming skills by teaching basic stroke mechanics early on and developing the initial body position and kicking fundamentals needed. Bronze group swimmers are introduced to starts and turns early on to ensure they meet the FINA standards because we encourage bronze members to compete in all our home- hosted meets. It is necessary to achieve these standards before competing to avoid disqualification when racing. We emphasize the importance of fun, whilst creating an energetic and exciting competitive environment.

Pup´s (“ Stingray’s babies” )

The Pup group is Stingray’s fundamentals group that is a step up from the learn-to- swim program. We go over the basic techniques in swimming and prepare them for the competition groups that they have the option to move up to. All four-stroke disciplines are introduced and taught in such a way that enables each swimmer to swim legally in competition. We encourage the Platinum group to take part in our 10 and under non- officiated meets but strive to get them to the level of competing in officiated meets as well.

Swim-Fit