New Richmond Area Tiger Sharks

Practice sessions designed to introduce swimmers to the four competitive strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly). Tiger swimmers practice 45 minutes, four days per week. We recommend swimmers at the Tiger level swim at least 3 days per week.

Swimmers in the Tigers group can swim at least 25 yards of freestyle. Tiger level swimmers are typically 7 to 10 years old; however, older swimmers may swim at this level as well. Focus will be on developing correct freestyle and backstroke technique and introduce swimmers to the breaststroke and butterfly techniques. Flip turns and competitive starts will be introduced. Equipment provided by the club are kick boards and flippers.

To advance from Tigers to Sharks, swimmers must be able to swim 2500 yards during practice and be proficient in freestyle and backstroke. Swimmers must also demonstrate a working knowledge of breaststroke and butterfly techniques, proficiency in competitive starts and flip turns, understand yard amounts and drills used for each stroke, and demonstrate basic use of the pace clock. Swimmers must also complete 8x 50 yard kick freestyle with no fins under 1:40 and 8x 50 yard freestyle swim with no fins under 1:25.

Sharks include the continuation of the Tiger objectives with an emphasis on polishing stroke techniques and racing skills. The focus is on obtaining legal strokes, competitive starts, and flip turns in all four competitive strokes. Shark swimmers are also introduces to training techniques and use of the pace clock. This group consists of a wide variety of ages, about 7 to 11-year-olds. Shark swimmers practice 1 hour, 5 days per week. We recommend swimmers at the Shark level swim at least 3-4 days per week. Equipment provided by the club are kick boards and flippers.

To advance from Sharks to Silver, swimmers must be able to swim 3000 yards during practice and are able to compete legally in all four competitive strokes. Swimmers must also understand yard amounts, sets, and drills for each stroke, as well as be able to use the pace clock. Sharks must be able to complete 10x 50 yard free style swim under 1:00, 10x 50 yard flutterkick under 1:20, and complete a legal 200 yard IM.

Silver includes the continuation of the Sharks objectives with an emphasis on increasing swimmers endurance, improving proper stroke technique of all four competitive strokes, and improving technique of competitive starts and turns. Silver practice is offered 4 nights per week for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Swimmers in the Silver level are encouraged to swim at least 3 days per week. Swimmers at this level must be legal in all four competitive strokes and compete on a regular basis. Equipment provided by the club are pull buoys, kick boards, and flippers. Other equipment required but not provided by the club includes: zoomers, hand paddles, shirts and snorkels.

Gold includes the continuation of the Silver objectives with an increased emphasis on increasing swimmers endurance and competition preperation, improving proper stroke technique of all four competitive strokes, and improving technique of competitive starts and turns. Gold practice is offered 4 nights per week for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Swimmers in the Gold level are encouraged to swim 3-4 days per week. Swimmers at this level must be legal in all four competitive strokes and compete on a regular basis. Swimmers at this level have shown commitment to the team and consistently show excellent practice habits and commitment. Equipment provided by the club are pull buoys, kick boards, and flippers. Other equipment required but not provided by the club includes: zoomers, hand paddles, shirts and snorkels.

The Elite level includes a continuation of the Silver and Gold level objectives with an emphasis on increasing endurance and improving proper technique of all four competitive strokes, and proper technique of turns and starts. This group also focuses on mental preparedness and physical conditioning for more competitive swimmers. Elite level swimmers must attend practice nightly with a maximum of 2 missed practices per month. Additional time on Tuesday and Thursday evenings will be used for swimmer education and video-taping. Swimmers in the Elite group will be required to participate in dry-land exercises, including personal training sessions at least 2 nights per week. Equipment provided by the club are pull buoys, kick boards and flippers. Other equipment required but not provided by the club includes: zoomers, hand paddles, shirts, and snorkels.