Orcas 2011 Practice Schedule

PRACTICE TIMES

After-school Practices (May 9 - May 31, M-Th) No practice Memorial Day May 30 or Last day of school June 1

3:45-4:15	8 & under
4:15-4:50	9-10
4:50-5:30	11-12
5:30-6:15	13 & older

Morning Practices (June 2 - June 24, M-F)

8:15-9:00	9-10
9:00-9:55	11-12
10:00-10:55	13 & older
11:00-11:45	8 & under

 

Training Groups

It is important, and expected, that a swimmer train with his respective age group. Training groups are established by age (rather than speed or stamina). Coaches strive to do what is best for the swimmers and relative to the team atmosphere and training challenges. It has proven best in this situation to have swimmers grouped by age.

Training with the appropriate age group allows coaches to teach and coach relative to age specific techniques. It promotes team unity and helps facilitate age-related activities. Relay and swim meet organization is also enhanced with this grouping.

We thank you in advance for respecting these practice guidelines.

All that said, I would rather have your swimmer there and eligible for the weekend's meet. So, if your swimmer has special needs at some time due to Middle or High School orientation week, Anderson weight training class, VBL or similar, please let me know. We can work on making arrangements such that they remain eligible for the weekend's meet.

New Swimmers

New swimmers proficiency levels will be evaluated on the first days of practice. Parents are asked to introduce their new swimmer to Coach Sandy. She and her coaches will help integrate appropriately. Please let Coach Sandy know of any special health issues or anxiety issues.

Mini-team

Mini-team is a (3 or 4 week) session of swim lessons organized by Head Coach Sandy Neilson-Bell and coached by Wild Orca coaches.

Mini-team swim lessons are for swimmers who have not yet been on the Westover Wild Orca Swim Team and who are shy of meeting the proficiency level required for the team. Swimmers are organized in small groups of 4-6 and taught by our coaches, with the goal of getting the swimmers swim-team ready. Swimmers will learn competitive technique appropriate to their age. The continuity of this multi-week session and the stability of coaches makes it much easier to make the necessary jump into the swim team the following year.

We strive to help bring the swimmer to a skill level where he can comfortably integrate into the appropriate training group for his age when ready. If a swimmer is not swim team ready for the current year, this is a good place to prepare for the following year.

All swimmers should have fins and goggles that fit. If you have any questions on equipment please ask Coach Sandy before making a purchase. See Coach Sandy on deck for registration. Mini-team traditionally runs at noon-time during the month of June when school is out.

Need More Information?

Thank you for trusting our coaches to do what they think is best for your swimmer and others involved in the program. If you have any questions or develop special circumstances, please see our head coach Sandy.