Training Groups
Southern Maryland Aquatics practices at Lackey High School and St. Charles High School in Charles County Maryland. It is the goal of Southern Maryland Aquatics to offer age specific training for all of our athletes geared towards challenging each individual and developing each individual to be their best.
Where does my swimmer fit?
Age | Training group | Placement |
|---|---|---|
7 and 8 | Bronze | All 7 and 8 year olds practice with our Bronze training group. |
9 and 10 | Bronze or Silver | Placed in either the Bronze or the Silver group, depending on experience and skill level. |
11 and 12 | Silver or Gold | Placed in either the Silver or the Gold group, depending on experience and skill level. |
13 and 14 | Gold or Elite | Placed in either the Gold or Elite group, depending on experience, skill level, and time commitment. |
15 to 18 | Elite | All 15 through 18 year olds must demonstrate the skill level and time commitment required for our Elite training group. |
Our four groups
Bronze
This is our entry level practice group. The goal of this group is to learn all four competitive strokes and the fundamentals of swimming such as proper breathing habits, lane etiquette, pace clock usage and how to swim sets, starts and turns. Swimmers should be comfortable in the water and be able to tread for 30 seconds. Swimmers should able to swim 50 yards of both Freestyle and Backstroke without assistance. Participation in swim meets is encouraged but not required.
Silver
Athletes in this group focus mainly on refining the four legal competitive strokes, working on strength, endurance, and perfecting start and turn technique. Swimmers should be able to swim 100 yards of Freestyle and legally swim 50 yards each of Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly. Swimmers should be able to demonstrate a safe dive from the starting block and a flip turn. Participation in 50% of swim meets is required (our team usually attends about one meet a month).
Gold
This high level practice group is primarily for middle school aged swimmers who have previously been in our Silver group. Athletes in this group are exposed to more intense training while preparing for the 500 Freestyle and 200 Individual Medley races. Swimmers are expected to be able to manage sets within each lane. Participation in 50% of swim meets is required (our team usually attends about one meet a month).
Elite
This group is specifically for our most competitive swimmers who are at least high school aged. Swimmers should be regularly hitting USA motivational times and making qualifying meets. Swimmers should have the endurance to complete long practices at fast intervals. Participation in 75% of swim meets is required (our team usually attends about one meet a month).
Not sure which group fits?
Email us to schedule an evaluation or simply to request more information.