ALEX NESS, LEAD GOLD GROUP COACH

June 2024-Present, Email:   [email protected]
 
Alex began his swimming career in 2008 with San Clemente Aquatics. He joined the Santa Margarita High School varsity swim team from 2015 to 2019, contributing to their second-place finish at CIF in 2019. In 2023 he graduated from Biola University with a degree in Human Biology. During his time at Biola he was part of the school’s first Division II conference championship team. 

In 2020, during his sophomore year, he began coaching at San Clemente Aquatics, aiming to provide swimmers the same club experience he received. Alex spent a year working as an EMT for Falck, responding to 911 calls. He is currently working at Journey School as a teaching assistant in Aliso Viejo. 

 
 

Gold Group

Swimmer age: 9 to12 years old

Description: The Gold Group is our advanced group for 9-to-12-year-old swimmers. Swimmers in the Gold group should have 1 to 3 years of competitive swimming experience, approaching or achieved SCS National “B” time standards and are working towards “BB” and “WAG/JAG” time standards. Gold Group swimmers are becoming more self-motivated, understand the concepts of swimming drills, swim techniques, and swim sets. The Gold Group teaches the concepts of leadership, teamwork, and swimmers who complete the Silver Group Requirements will transition to the Gold group when ready.

 

Gold Group Commitment & Requirements:

  • Knowledge and skill at all “Bronze and Silver” level swim drills
  • Have 1-3 years competitive swimming experience
  • Attend 4 - 5 practices weekly + 3 dryland practices
  • Have achieved SCS National “B” time standards
  • Attend all appropriate swim meets on the San Clemente Meet Schedule
  • Have mastered all Bronze and Silver Group Requirements

The Gold Group focuses on:

  • Improving stroke technique 
  • Developing great teamwork skills
  • Working towards achieving National “BB”, “WAG/JAG” time standards
  • “IMX” events for their age
  • Building consistency in skills and drills
  • Having fun!!!

Requirements to Move Up to The Platinum Group:

  • Knowledge and skill at all “Gold” level swim drills
  • Must attend practice 5 to 6 times/week
  • Attend all appropriate swim meets on San Clemente Swim Meet Schedule
  • Must have Achieved SCS National “BB” times for their age
  • Must have an “IMX” Score (swam all “IMX” events) for their age
  • Must be proficient in the requirements of the “Silver” and “Gold” Groups
  • Must know how to read the clock and understand time intervals

Equipment:  Arena Hand Paddles (size appropriate-see coach),Arena Pull Buoy, arena Snorkel, Arena Kickboard, Arena Fins, Arena Mesh Bag, and Water Bottle.

 
 

A Tryout is required to join this group.  Click here for tryout information.

The San Clemente Aquatic Team assigns swimmers to practice groups based on skill/ability and age.  Coaches are able to focus on techniques, skills and intervals that are best suited for our swimmers’ development while enhancing aerobic and speed capacity.  Each coach strives to create a fun yet challenging environment for our swimmers.  

 

Although practice attendance is not mandatory for most groups, we do encourage swimmers to attend all or as many practices as possible, attendance + effort = success.  Swim meets are optional for some groups and mandatory for others.  Swim meets are a chance for swimmers, coaches and parents to see progress. 

 

Move-ups between groups tend to occur at the end of our short course and long course seasons.  Coaches will review all aspects of move up timing, including test sets, leadership in the lane and group, mental, physical and emotional readiness.  Attendance and practice effort will also be considered as variables.