The Cougar Aquatic Team is a progressive age group program designed to develop children physically, mentally, and emotionally in a systematic fashion. We follow a well-defined, long-term approach through which swimmers gradually increase their degree of commitment. Our early years emphasize the development of technical skills and a love for the sport. In the later years, the training program becomes more physically and psychologically challenging. We believe that “too much, too soon" more often proves the cause of failure to achieve maximum potential in senior swimming than the reverse situation.

To complement this emphasis on long-term rather than short-term results, it is also important that we establish training groups of swimmers who are compatible in abilities, commitment levels and goals. At each level, goals and objectives are specific and directed toward meeting the needs of the individual swimmer. Each child progresses at his or her own rate to reach maximum potential. In accordance, the coaching staff makes training group assignments based on a swimmer's physical, mental, and emotional level of development.

Age Group 1
This is the entry-level group. This group is for athletes who are ages 8&Under with limited or no experience in the sport but have already mastered at least Freestyle and Backstroke, as well as a working understanding of Breaststroke. The focus of this group is to learn the competitive swimming skills necessary to have a solid foundation in the sport or improve upon the skills already obtained. We encourage the athletes in this group to attend at least two but not more than three practices a week, and strongly encourage spring participation. Summer participation is optional, but talk to your coaches in the spring to determine a plan for continuity. Appropriate competitions are strongly recommended for this group. In order to move up a group you would need to be able to swim 8x50’s IM order on 1:45, have at least 50% practice attendance and must qualify for a minimum of Current YMCA Silvers. These athletes should have a cap (if their hair will impede proper head position), goggles, a competitive practice suit and fins. 

Age Group 2
This group is primarily designed for athletes ages 9&10, and have already mastered at least Freestyle, Backstroke, and Breaststroke, if not including Butterfly.  The focus of this group is to learn the competitive swimming skills necessary to have a solid foundation in the sport or improve upon the skills already obtained. Additionally the athletes in this group will begin to explore some conditioning elements of the sport. We encourage the athletes in this group to attend at least three but not more than four practices a week, and strongly encourage spring participation. Summer participation is included, but optional. Talk to your coaches in the spring to determine a plan for continuity. These swimmers will be expected to participate in specific local meets, with others optional. In order to move up a group you will be required to be able to swim 20x100’s free on 1:50, have at least 60% practice attendance and must have the Silver Cut in the 11/12 age group in at least two strokes. These athletes should have a cap (if their hair will impede proper head position), goggles, paddles, a competitive practice suit and fins.

Senior Prep
This group is primarily designed for athletes who are 11/12 years old who have a solid competitive swimming foundation and background. The focus of this group will be refining competitive swimming skills and developing a strong aerobic base along with developing race technique. We encourage the athletes in this group to attend between three and five practices a week and expect spring and summer participation. These swimmers will be expected to participate in specific local meets with others optional. In order to move up a group you will be required to be able to swim 20x100’s free on 1:40, have at least 65% practice attendance and must have Current Silver Cuts in the 13/14 age group in at least two strokes. These athletes should have a cap (if their hair will impede proper head position), goggles, a competitive practice suit, fins, paddles and snorkel.

 

Juinors  
This group is designed for athletes ages 13/O, who range from having a basic understanding for the sport of swimming, to having a strong competitive swimming foundation and the desire to participate in a highly competitive group. The Bronze group is designed for swimmers who are not intending to have a high commitment level to the Mariners team.  Meets and attendance are not of great interest for this group.  The Silver group is designed for swimmers who intend on attending at least 70% of all practices.  Competitions, such as Block Party, Invitational Meets, and Championship Meets will be expected for this group.  The focus of this group will not only be able to master competitive swimming skills that will prepare them for the future, but to teach athletes the importance of being committed to the sport in order to help achieve their goals. Bronze and Silver athletes will swim year round with the Mariners and will be expected to attend practice 4 to 5 times a week. This group will have required meets, some of which will involve travel. In order to move up a group you will be required to be able to swim 20 100’s free on 1:20, have at least 70% year-round practice attendance and must have Current Silver Cut for the 15&Over Age Group in at least two strokes. These athletes should have a cap (if their hair will impede proper head position), goggles, a competitive practice suit, fins, paddles and snorkel.

 

Senior B
This group is the swimmers’ first experience into true senior level swimming. Senior B swimmers compete in a multitude of events to become versatile, competent, and confident athletes. Each swimmer strives to achieve goals formulated with the highest level of competition in mind. Senior B serves the senior level swimmer who possesses the skill, motivation, commitment, and maturity to compete and train in a challenging competitive program. Five practices a week along with dry land training give the swimmer a taste of what is needed to get their swimming to the next level. These swimmers need a solid aerobic base to handle the endurance and IM training, both of which are emphasized.

Senior A
This group is the most elite group on CAT. It is dedicated to those swimmers who have made swimming a top priority. The purpose of this group is to develop the swimmers’ capacities both aerobically and anaerobically to get the best results possible. The goals of these swimmers are to reach the highest level meet possible (Sectionals, Futures, Juniors) as well as possibly swim at the collegiate level. In order to properly help each swimmer, Senior A is broken up into two sub-groups based on event list and training needs. Senior A practices 6 days a week along with dryland training.