Team Structure
Edina Swim Club Team Structure
GATOR I - This program teaches swimmers 6 years and up fundamental skills as an introduction to the sport of competitive swimming. Participants must, as a prerequisite, be able to swim 25 yards each of freestyle (crawl) and backstroke. The participants spend time refining freestyle and backstroke and are then taught the basics of breaststroke and butterfly with the goal of preparing them for participation in the ESC competitive programs. This program is 90% instructional and 10% physical training, using techniques that are enjoyable and fun.
Move-up Skill: Must legally swim 100 yard freestyle, 100 yard backstroke and 50 yard breaststroke kick.
GATOR II - Swimmers focus on instruction in the basics of the four competitive strokes through stroke drills, kicking sets and creative equipment usage. This program is 80% instructional and 20% physical training. These swimmers also learn flip turns and racing starts. The recommended attendance is 2-3 times per week. Meets are offered to this group. Group members range in age from 5-8.
Move-up Skill: Must legally swim 200 yard freestyle, 100 yard backstroke, 50 yard butterfly, 50 yard breaststroke, perform consistent flip turns, and be ready to compete on a regular basis.
GATOR II PLUS- This group is for new swimmers age 9 and older. Swimmers focus on instruction in the basics of all four competitive strokes as well as flip turns, intervals, clocking reading and competition readiness. This program is 70% instructional and 30% physical training with the goal being to move directly to the Junior Prep group upon mastery GATOR II PLUS curriculum.
Move up Skill: Must legally swim 200 yard freestyle, 100 yard backstroke, 50 yard butterfly, 50 yard breaststroke, perform consistent flip turns, and be ready to compete on a regular basis.
GATOR III - Swimmers are taught slightly higher skill levels than Gator II. Emphasis is still on technique, with 70% instruction and 30% physical training. Gator III members are encouraged to participate 3-4 times per week. Each practice is approximately 1½ hours long and refines the basics of the four competitive strokes. Group members range in age from 6-9. This group is expected to participate in meets. This group will swim between 1,800-3,000 yards each session.
Move up Skill:
* 10 x 50 freestyle at 1:00
* 100 yard Free time of 1:30 or better
* 100 yard Individual Medley time of 1:45 or better
Junior Prep- Swimmers range in age from 9-13 and are taught higher-level skills than Gator III. Emphasis is 60 % instruction and 40% training. These swimmers will perform dry land on a regular basis, including running, push ups and other core body strengthening. Junior Prep practices 1 ½ to 2 hours, and swimmers are encouraged to attend 4-5 practices each week. These swimmers are expected to go to many meets in the metro area. These swimmers will swim between 3,000-4,500 yards each day.
Move up Skill:
* 10 x 100 at 1:30
* 5 x 100 Individual Medley in 2:00
* 200 yard freestyle at 2:30 or better
* 200 yard Individual Medley at 2:55.00 or better
Junior Group-Swimmers range in age from 11-14, and have mastered the Junior Prep curriculum and are dedicated to excellence. They train daily for 2 hours, with 30% instruction and 70% physical training. These swimmers will perform dry land on a regular basis including running, push ups and other core body strengthening. Expected attendance is 5 days per week. This group is expected to attend local meets, as well as occasional travel meets. Junior swimmers will typically train 4,000-6,000 yards a day.
Move up Skill:
Must be able to achieve the following
* 15 x 100 yard freestyle at 1:20
* 5 x 100 yard Individual medley at 1:45
* 200 yard freestyle at 2:30 or better
The Senior Team is the most advanced and dedicated athlete, ages13 and over. This group consists of middle school, high school and college swimmers at the peak of their swimming careers. These swimmers have AAA times. Training is oriented towards physical conditioning and honing technique and racing skills. The training is designed to meet the needs of the athlete competing for social rewards as well as those with the dedication and determination necessary to compete at the national level. This group will typically swim 5,500 - 7,500 yards per practice. These swimmers have eleven workouts that are offered each week, with 90% of the emphasis on conditioning and 10% on instruction. Dry land training consists of a 45-minute session, 3 times per week and uses stretch cords, medicine balls, and use of the weight room. Dry land also includes running, abdominal work, and pushups. Swimmers are expected to attend a minimum of 6 practice sessions per week.
**All team placements are under coaches' discretion.
Edina Masters are our adult swimmers. Masters swimming is oriented first towards participation and lifelong fitness, with competition a motivating but secondary goal. Edina Masters have participated in zone, national, and international competitions for our club. Workouts are available five mornings a week and are designed to meet the needs of individual swimmers. Our Masters swimmers are diverse group including former and current competitive swimmers, tri-athletes, and adults with no competitive background. Members have the option of being coached or swimming laps on their own in a low-pressure situation. Many of our Masters participants are parents of swimmers in the age group and senior programs. These workouts are varied to provide an appropriate mix of endurance, sprint training, stroke work, drills, and other skills as appropriate for the different phases of each competitive season.