Swimming

Juniors:

• Elite: This is our highest-intensity squad within the junior section where they will now perfect their stroke integrity whilst attaining the highest fitness levels. There is a strong emphasis on squad members becoming leaders of the junior squads and building team unity and confidence. Junior Elite trains five times a week which also includes land training to promote flexibility and core strength. Squad members are encouraged to compete both in the local and international arena. 

• Advanced: The focus will now change to developing a more advanced technique and fitness specifically for competitions. Swimmers will enhance training attitudes and be proactive and supportive as individuals and as a team as a whole. Junior Adv trains five times a week, including land training sessions with the emphasis on flexibility . Depending on entry times Junior Adv  may compete both locally and internationally. 

• Intermediate: Swimmers will begin to understand and take responsibility for their attendance, how good habits in practice directly relate to their competition performances . They will continue to focus on technique and all round stroke development with higher levels of fitness and endurance . Junior Int trains four times a week , squad members are prompted to enter school and local galas. 

Seniors:

• Elite & Advanced: These are the elite swimmers of St Chris Sharks. We are proud to say that some of the Senior Elite swimmers have qualified for their national swimming championships. Some of the members of this squad are GCC champions, Hamilton Middle East champions. These training sessions are aimed towards not only technical and physical abilities but also the psychological development required to train and compete at this standard. Focus will be given towards an increase in the volume of training, developing the ability to train at the correct intensity to improve skills including speed, stamina, pacing and endurance. Full analysis on technical details such as starts and turns whilst progressing strokes. Senior Elite have 3 land training sessions and 6 swimming sessions  a minimum of 25 km per week, some weeks through the programme we have reached 50km. Within the land training they develop more complex stretching, body weight and core strengthening exercises as well as cardiovascular fitness. Members of this squad are encouraged to attend both local and international competitions as actively as possible.

• Intermediate: Swimmers are now expected to be fully committed to the necessary training and be dedicated to achieving both personal and team goals taking leadership roles during training, swim meets and other club events. More advanced performance techniques will be introduced over more intense and detailed sessions. This squad has four training sessions inclusive of land training sessions where the emphasis is placed upon core fitness and flexibility. Many of the squad members compete both locally and internationally.

• Development: The training for these squads is planned to raise the levels of performance consistently and to educate on those skills required for competitive performance with the emphasis being placed upon continuing skill development and improving technique and stamina. Swimmers are expected to understand how behaviour in practice correlates to a positive training environment.