MLAC Swimming
USA Swimming

MLAC Groups and Membership

 

AGE GROUP SWIMMING

 

ABOUT OUR GROUPS:

Aqua Club swimmers are divided into five training groups.

STINGRAYS : This group consists of swimmers aged 8 and under. Some are new to swimming; others have been swimming for a year or two. It is important for this age group to work together. Training involves stroke instruction along with some start and turn work. Parents can expect an average of 4 hours of practice per week.

DOLPHINS: This group is made up of swimmers aged 9 to 12. These are primarily newer swimmers who require stroke technique instruction. Emphasis is on technique. Start and turn work is worked on as well. Parents can expect an average of 4 hours of practice per week.

BARRACUDAS : This group is made up of swimmers who have a strong grasp of correct technique in all strokes, starts and turns and are ready to build endurance and learn new training methods. Technique work and strength enhancement, including dryland training will be included in their average of 8 or more hours of practice per week.

MARLINS : Advanced training methods and continued stroke refinement prepare swimmers for senior swimming. Their workouts will be 8 or more hours per week with more intense dryland training.

SHARKS : Senior swimmers with advanced skills. These swimmers have morning and afternoon workouts along with dryland and weight training.

ABOUT COMPETING:

MLAC is a competitive swim team. It is the expectation that members will compete. A balanced schedule of various types of meets is made available to all swimmers. These meets provide swimmers many opportunities to compete within their age group with others of similar ability.
Stingrays will be encouraged to swim in approximately 10 to 12 meets per year. All other training groups will compete in 13 or more meets per year. Stingrays and Dolphins are encouraged to swim in meets for the experience and to gain confidence in their swimming, with no undue pressure. Improved times are tangible evidence of progress, and as such, are rewards for the many hours a swimmer logs at practice. Swimmers should have the opportunity to experience this success. However, if a swimmer senses undue pressure to perform there is a danger of dropout. Everyone loses if a promising swimmer drops-out, the swimmer most of all. It is our coaching staff's desire to have all young swimmers maintain a keen interest in swimming so that they will have long-term success.

ABOUT MOVING AHEAD:

Decisions about moving a swimmer to another group are made by the coaching staff. The majority of moves come after the summer season, sometime in August. Occasionally, a few moves are made before the summer season. In apecial cases, the coaching staff will ask an individual to move up to the next level during the season.

Swimmers are asked to move up based on readiness and maturity. It is important to determine each swimmer's ability to phycially and emotionally handle the demands of the next level. Each group has skills and practice levels that need to be achieved in order to be prepared to move up. Swimmers do not ordinarily move up each year.