Blue Wave Stroke School

Blue Wave Stroke School is a “bridge” between Blue Wave Swim Lesson Program and junior competitive groups such as Bronze 1 & 2, and Pre-Competitive groups. Swimmer can master techniques for all four competitive strokes, including starts and turns under the direction of Olympic coach Peter Banks. A 12-week cycle is split up into two weekly sixty minutes practices.

Pre-Competitive Group

This group introduces beginning swimmers to competitive swimming by exposing them to basic swimming drills, understanding swimming terminology, and improving stroke mechanics in all four competitive strokes. A 12-week cycle is split up into three weekly sixty minutes practices.

Bronze Middle School Group

This is a pre-phase of competitive swimming. The Bronze Middle School Group is designed for beginning and advanced swimmers age of between 11 and 14.

Swimmers beginners need to have a basic level of proficiency in freestyle and backstroke. Complete breaststroke and butterfly strokes are taught along with more complex stroke drills for all four competitive strokes. In this group swimmers learn how to execute legal starts, turns, and finishes in all four strokes, and correct breathing patterns.

Also, this training group is designed for advanced swimmers to practice and refine advanced techniques in all four strokes. Cardio-vascular training is emphasized. Advanced skills and practice drills are introduced. Basic conditioning regimes are learned, and racing skills are refined.

Practices are challenging, but group dynamics makes working out, fun and interesting. Sixty-minute sessions are offered six times a week, and swimmers are encouraged to attend all practices. The prerequisite for this group is that the swimmer must be able to complete 25 meters in freestyle and backstroke without assistance of any kind. Competition in at least three of the four strokes is encouraged for swimmers to display their proficiency and to move forward into the Gold or High School (in season) groups.

Practice equipment must consist of: goggles, pull buoy, kickboard, fins, and mesh bag. Also, swim caps are recommended to swimmers with long hair.

Blue Wave Standards

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High School Group (Nov. - Aug.)

Blue Wave Swim Team offers this program for all interested high school swimmers in continuing their swimming year round. Emphasis will be placed on improving proper swim technique and skills, as well as building endurance and increasing aerobic conditioning. Moreover, practices provide the basics of the sport of swimming such as using the pace clock, listening to and understanding swim sets, and swim terminology. Sixty-minute practices are offered three times a week. Practice equipment must consist of: goggles, pull buoy, kickboard, fins, and mesh bag.

Blue Wave Standards
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Bronze 2 Group

This group is a pre-phase of competitive swimming. Bronze group 2 is designed for beginning swimmers and swimmers who move up from Stroke School and Pre-Competitive group. The swimmers need to have a basic level of proficiency in freestyle, backstroke, and proper stroke mechanics of breaststroke and butterfly.

The focus of this group is to continue teaching the fundamentals of the strokes through the variety of swim drills, enjoyable activities, and encouragement of group sportsmanship. Emphasis will also be placed on proper swim technique and stroke. Moreover, the practices provide the basics of the sport of swimming such as learning how to circle swim, reading the pace clock, listening to and understanding a swim set, and swim terminology.

Sixty to 75-minute sessions are offered six times per week, and children are encouraged to attend all practices. The participants of this group are between the ages of 5 and 10. The prerequisite for this group is that the swimmer must be able to complete 25 meters in freestyle and backstroke without assistance of any kind. Complete breaststroke and butterfly strokes are taught along with more complex stroke drills for all four competitive strokes. In this group swimmers learn how to execute legal starts, turns, and finishes in all four strokes, as well as correct breathing patterns. The practices are challenging, but group dynamics make it fun and interesting. Competition in at least three of the four strokes is encouraged for swimmers to display their proficiency and to move forward into Bronze Group 1.

Competitions are offered throughout a year. Through monthly mini developmental meets, swimmers are introduced to competition, as well as the basics of pre-race and post race routines. These kinds of meets are very beneficial for young swimmers where they gain first competitive experience and develop sportsmanship spirit. Bronze Group 2 swimmers will enter official US Swimming sanctioned meet when coaching staff determines the child is ready for first official competition.

Practice equipment must consist of: goggles, kickboard, fins, and mesh bag. Swim caps are recommended for swimmers with long hair.

Blue Wave Standards

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Bronze 1 Group

The Bronze Group 1 is designed for the advanced swimmers. The focus of this group is to continue teaching the fundamentals of the strokes through a variety of swim drills, enjoyable activities, and encouragement of group sportsmanship. Swimmers are introduced to all aspects of competitive swimming including self-respect and respect for others, sportsmanship, commitment, goal setting, and strategies in achieving goals.  The foundation is built for future success in competitive swimming. Emphasis will be placed on proper swim technique and improving time, as well as building endurance and increasing aerobic conditioning. Moreover, practices provide the basics of the sport of swimming such as reading the pace clock, listening to and understanding swim sets, and swim terminology.

Sixty to 75-minute sessions are offered six times a week, and swimmers are encouraged to attend all practices. The participants of this group are between the ages of 5 to 11. The prerequisite for this group is that the swimmer must be able to complete 200 meters IM (individual medley – all four competitive strokes) without assistance of any kind. Competition in all four strokes is encouraged for swimmers to display their proficiency and to move forward into the Silver Group or Bronze Middle School Group. Also, attendance, ability, commitment, maturity level, and attitude will be used to determine advancement to the next group.

The team imposes no attendance requirement, but four to five practices a week are recommended. Practice equipment must consist of: goggles, kickboard, fins, and mesh bag. Swim caps are recommended for swimmers with long hair.

Blue Wave Standards

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Silver Group 

This group in the Blue Wave Swim Team program is designed for swimmers that have developed basic swimming proficiencies and are ready to make more of a commitment to the sport. Swimmers are encouraged to participate in outside activities, but as they progress through this group, they are encouraged to make more of a commitment to swimming prior to advancing to the Gold Group or Senior Age Group. Proper stroke technique is emphasized along with speed work, interval training, aerobic and anaerobic conditioning. Other training includes:

• Introduction of goal setting and individual training progressions
• Dryland and stretching exercises
• Race plans and strategies
• Nutritional considerations for maximum performances and life long wellness considerations
• Teaching the importance of a positive mental attitude; positive self-concept and self-esteem.
• Importance of regular practice habits
• Providing cultural experiences in a team environment

This group serves as a transition between the instructional aspects of swimming and the training demands of the sport. A wide mix between strokes, interval training, and initiation to all distances, as well as all strokes, (we do not specify at this age) will be a large part in the season’s planning.

Two hour sessions are offered six times a week. Silver Group will be required to have One-Star Training Standard. There is no attendance requirement for this group, but all swimmers are expected to attend as many practices as possible. All participants of the Silver Group are between the ages of 8 and 13. The competition in all four strokes is encouraged for swimmers to display their proficiency and to follow the progress of their best stroke(s). Practice equipment must consist of: goggles, pull buoy, kickboard, fins, and mesh bag.

Blue Wave Standards

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Gold Group

This group is for dedicated swimmers between the age of 13 and 18. Group members must have demonstrated the ability to train IM and distance freestyle well. The swimmers in this group must be committed to training and be willing to strive toward the highest levels of competition. Those would include from Florida State Age Group to Southern Zone Sectional level meets. Swimmers will also be expected to show commitment and dedication to both individual and team performances. Positive attitude and extensive leadership skills are qualities that Gold Group members will exude.

Two hour practices are designed for swimmers with complex training methods introduced and increased use of the pace clock and interval training. Highly advanced drills and stroke correction directives are given. The focus of this group is continued aerobic fitness development, race pacing and stroke tempo. Swimmers train to compete in all four techniques, as well as for sprint, middle-distance, and distance events. An increased intensity is required to gain the benefits of total body conditioning with an emphasis in aerobic training. Advanced training for competition, stretching, and a wide range of dry land exercises including some weight training will be predominant throughout the season. During the season coaching staff provides a video stroke analysis, scheduled swimmer-coach conferences to reinforce goal setting, motivation, and improvement.

Depending on the time of the season, two-hour practices are offered 8 to 10 times per week. Gold group will be required to meet the Two-Star Training Standard. A seventy five percent commitment in attendance is required. Practice equipment must consist of: goggles, hand paddles, pull buoy, kickboard, fins, and mesh bag.

Blue Wave Standards
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Senior Age Group 

This group in the Blue Wave Swim Team program is designed for advanced swimmers who have developed firmed basic swimming proficiencies in all four strokes and are ready to make more of a commitment to the sport. A desire to improve and a willingness to take the steps necessary for competitive progress are expected of all athletes in this group. As swimmers progress through the Senior Age Group, they are encouraged to make more of a commitment to swimming prior advancing to the Senior Group. Proper stroke technique is emphasized along with speed work, interval training, aerobic and anaerobic conditioning. Other training includes: dryland and stretching exercises, teaching importance of daily practice habits, video stroke analysis, swimmer-coach conferences on goal setting and individual training/meet progressions, evaluating progress in monthly competitions, providing cultural experiences in a team environment

Depending on the time of the season, 120-minute sessions are offered 8 to 10 times a week. Senior Age Group will be required to have Three-Star Training Standard. A seventy five percent commitment in attendance is required. All participants of the Senior Age Group are between the ages of 11 and 14. Practice equipment must consist of: goggles, kickboard, pull buoy, fins, and mesh bag.

Blue Wave Standards
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Senior Group

Senior group is the top level of the Blue Wave Swim Team program. The group requires the most commitment in regard to time and effort. Swimmers of this group are looking to move to the highest point on our sport. They are willing to train at a higher level than before and are committed to achieve high goals such as Junior and Senior Nationals as well as Olympic Trials time standards.

Working with the head coach, swimmers will make short and long term practice and competition goals. The training focus will be designed specifically around the events and distances that the swimmer will work towards. The senior group will be required to have Four-Star Training Standard and a 100% commitment for attendance.

Blue Wave Standards
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Masters Group

Masters swimming is an important part of the BSAC environment. Masters Swimming is an opportunity for swimmers between the ages of 19 and up to talk and to exercise with friends who share similar interests in swimming, but want the discipline of regular workouts. Masters swimmers benefit having a coach during practice, so they can improve their technique and fitness level. The groups’ emphasis is on specific technique training incorporated with interval and endurance segments.

The Blue Wave Masters Team swims a quality amount of 1500 and 3000 meters, on average, per practice, increasing or decreasing mileage depending on individual's goals and skill level. Several 90-minute sessions are offered a few times per week (please, check the official practice schedule), but swimmers are also welcome to just swim laps on their own. Competitive swim meets are offered at least once a month, where Masters swimmers have a chance to compete against other Masters swimmers from around the state. A grace period (no dues) is offered for the first three practices. This is team policy to insure that a Masters swimming program is right for you.

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Adult Swim Group

If you not sure about your swim skills, Blue Wave Adult Swim is offering something that you have been looking for. Adult Swim group consist of novice swimmers, who without any pressure, refine “raw swim basics” into perfect stroke mechanics. Using latest methods and drills, swimmers learn how to relax and develop proper body movement in water. Sixty-minute practice sessions are offered twice a week.

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