CPWD Swim Groups
2024 - 2025 Season
Junior 1
The Junior 1 group is our Learn to Swim* group. It has a focus on providing swimmers with instruction on the fundamental skills needed to be proficient at all four competitive swimming strokes, as well as starts and turns. While competition is not the main focus, there are opportunities available for those who do wish to compete. The Junior 1 group is offered from October to June and is broken down into three 11 week sessions. Practices are 45 minutes in length and are scheduled twice weekly. Based on age and skill level, swimmers can expect to be in Junior 1 for 1-2 years. They may advance by recommendation from coaching staff at any point.
Prerequisite: Swim assessment - please email cpwd.registrar@gmail.com to schedule
Junior 2
The Junior 2 group is for swimmers who have shown the required skills, and desire to begin competing on a regular basis. The emphasis of the group is stroke improvement with an introduction to Learning to Train. Skills such as learning to use a pace clock, doing sets with pace times, and an introduction to racing skills are introduced to the group. The Junior 2 group trains three times weekly in a season-long program which runs from September to June. Based on age and skill level, swimmers can expect to be in Junior 2 for 1-2 years. They may advance by recommendation from coaching staff at any point.
Prerequisite: Coach recommendation with a commitment to competition
White
The White group is for swimmers who have the requisite skills to begin Learning to Train* at a more advanced level. Stroke improvement remains a primary focus while adding in intermediate training techniques. Racing strategies are taught at a more advanced level and competitions are emphasized. White trains 4 times per week for a total of 4.5 hours in a season-long program which runs from September to June. Swimmers in the White group advance to the Blue group when they have demonstrated the requisite technical skills and attitudes to benefit from more advanced training methods and an increase in training time.
Prerequisite: Coach recommendation and swimmer's ability/willingness to advance to more arduous training.
Blue
The Blue group is for swimmers who have demonstrated an advanced understanding and application of stroke mechanics, training techniques, and racing strategies. The Blue group trains 4 times per week for a total of 8 hours in a season-long program which runs from September to June. They are expected to compete at monthly competitions. The group's focus is on Learning to Compete*. Swimmers in Blue will advance to Senior/Senior Elite when they have demonstrated the ability and willingness to manage training at the most advanced level.
Prerequisite: Coach recommendation and swimmer's ability/willingness to advance to more arduous training.
Senior
The Senior group is for swimmers wishing to train and compete at a high level but are unable to train at the Senior Elite level of commitment. The Senior group focuses on stroke technique, racing strategies, the development of a Personal Enhancement Team, and sport psychology techniques are facilitated at a high level. Senior swimmers train four times per week for a total of 8 hours in a season-long program which runs from September to June and are expected to attend designated competitions.
Prerequisite: Coach recommendation
Senior Elite
The Senior Elite group is the most advanced group within the Water Dragons Club. Swimmers are expected to attend all practices and compete at all meets designated for the group. The group's focus is on Learning to Excel. Stroke technique, racing strategies, the development of a Personal Enhancement Team, and sport psychology techniques are facilitated at an advanced level. Senior Elite trains 14 hours per week in a season that spans from September to June.
Prerequisite: Coach recommendation
Youth Conditioning
The Youth Conditioning group is an opportunity for teenage swimmers to practice their swimming skills and improve their swimming conditioning. The group is intended for youth wishing to pursue positions in lifeguarding, training for triathlons or improve their overall fitness. Practices are 1 hour in length and are scheduled three times weekly. This program is offered in 3 eleven week sessions, which run from October to June.
Prerequisite: Able to swim 100 meters non-stop.
Masters
Masters is for adults, 18 & over, who wish to maintain their fitness and/or improve their stroke technique and/or compete at Masters competitions and/or interact socially with other adults. The Masters group has the opportunity to swim up to 4 times per week in a season from September to June.
Prerequisite: Able to swim 50m (2 lengths of the pool)
* Based on the Swimming Canada Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Strategy
