DORIAN JOHNSON, LEAD SILVER GROUP COACH
SANDY KOS, SILVER GROUP COACH
Silver Group
Swimmer age: 8-12 years old
Description: The Silver Group is the second level of our competitive age group program. Swimmers in Silver should have had some competitive swimming experience, graduated from our “Bronze” program or equivalent learn to swim program. The Bronze Group are working on refining their stroke technique, focused on time improvements, are in the process of becoming leaders, and overall are well rounded in the sport of swimming. Swimmers should be able to perform all 4 strokes legally, flip turn, dive and streamline. The focus in the group is to achieve time standards and improve current technique to move up.
The Silver Group Commitments & Requirements:
- Knowledge and skill of all “Bronze” level swim drills
- Must attend practice 3x a week + 2 dryland practices
- Willing to attend San Clemente Swim meets
- Must be legal in all 4 strokes
- Must know how to dive and flip-turn
- Must know how to push off the wall in a streamline
- Must have appropriate swimsuits, swim cap, goggles, long fins, & kickboard
- Have appropriate listening skills
The Silver Group focuses on:
- Knowledge and skill of all “Silver” level swim drills
- Refining swimming techniques in all 4 strokes
- Refining flip-turns & open turns
- Refining streamlines w/ dolphin kicks and pulldowns
- Building endurance
- Learning to race
- Working toward achieving SCS National “B” times for their age
- “IMR” Events for their age
- Learning to read the clock
- Learning intervals and bases
Requirements to Move Up to The Gold Group:
- Knowledge and skill at all “Silver” level swim drills
- Must attend practice 4x a week
- Attend all appropriate swim meets on San Clemente Swim Meet Schedule
- Must have an “IMR” Score (swam all “IMR” events) for their age
- Working toward achieving SCS National “B” times for their age
- Must be proficient in the requirements of the “Bronze” and Silver 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.
