Age Group Swim Team

Winter Age Group 2023-2024

Registration for the Winter 2023-2024 Age Group Season is now open, and can be found here. All registration will be online only.

The Winter Age Group Season will begin on November 27. The first 3 days of practice, November 27th, 29th and 30th, are for both returning and new swimmers, and will serve as evaluation dates to place swimmers in their prospective practice group throughout the year. Swimmers are required to attend only one of these evaluation practices. Evaluations will run from 5:45pm-6:45pm each night. Please feel free to drop in any time between 5:45 and 6:30 to have your swimmer evaluated.

Parents are encouraged to contact Coach Liz at evandewe@hamiltonschools.us with any questions prior to the season.

Group Information

Below you'll find information regarding our groups for this upcoming season. 

White Group

The white group is designed for our younger, more inexperienced swimmers, roughly ages 6-8, although there may be some older kids in this group as well. This group will mainly focus on introducing kids and parents to age group swimming, with an emphasis on fun. Before the season begins, white group swimmers should be able to swim 25 yards of freestyle or backstroke and be comfortable getting their faces and heads wet. White group swimmers are encouraged to attend practices at least 2x per week, however this is not required. 

Gray Group

Gray group is the next step up from the white group, and will focus on perfecting basic skills learned from white group, stroke refinement, and practicing additional racing skills. Age ranges for the gray group are roughly 7-10 years old, but their may be some older or younger kids placed in this group based on their skill level. Gray group swimmers are expected to be able to swim 100 yards of freestyle with correct side breathing, and at least 25 yards of backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly legally. Gray group swimmers should also be able to execute proper racing dives from the blocks or side of the pool, as well as have a basic understanding of rules (2 hand touches on butterfly & breaststroke, finishing on their back during backstroke, and finishing on the touchpad, not the top of the gutter, etc.) Gray group swimmers are encouraged to attend at least 3 practices per week, however this is not required.

Black Group

Black group is targeted to swimmers aged 9-12, but like our other groups there may be some variance in age based on skill level. This group will continue to reinforce proper technique learned from gray and white group, and will start to build endurance as well. Black group swimmers should be able to swim at least 200 yards of freestyle, 50 yards of backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, and a 100 yard IM legally. Other expectations include understanding basic drills, executing racing dives from the blocks, executing proper flip turns, and knowledge of how to read a pace clock. Black group swimmers are encouraged to attend at least 3 practices per week, however this is not required.

Gold Group

Gold group is targeted to our more experienced swimmers, ages 12+, with some variance for skill level. Gold group swimmers will focus on building aerobic endurance, race strategy, and refined technique work. Swimmers in gold group are expected to be able to swim at least 400 yards of freestyle, 75 yards of backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, as well as a 200 yard IM legally. Gold group swimmers should also be able to swim 5x100 freestyle on a 2 minute interval, as well as understand more complex drills. Gold group swimmers are encouraged to attend practices at least 4 times per week, however this is not required.

USA Group 

Our USA group is designed for our more advanced swimmers. USA group swimmers have a love and dedication for the sport of swimming, and want to improve themselves to reach their full potential. Swimmers in this group should be able to swim at least 750 yards of freestyle, 100 yards of backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, and a 200 IM legally. Other expectations for USA swimmers include swimming 8x100 freestyle on a 1:40 interval, kick 10x50 on a 60 second interval, and have focused goals for their season. USA swimmers are encouraged to attend practices 5 x per week, and must attend at least 3 practices per week.

Please check the calendar below for practice times, meet dates, and any other relevant information for the season. The calendar will be updated throughout the year, so please check back frequently for any changes.

Please email Coach Matt with any USA questions at: moonk@hamiltonschools.us


Below is the online calendar. It will continue to be updated throughout the season as more meet information becomes available. Practice times are tentative and may change slightly. Click on a time or group to see the expanded details.

HERE is a great article on technique training vs. training for yards.

 

For the West Michigan Swim League web site please click HERE.