Swim Groups

WCAN groups are divided by age and ability. The coaches use mental, social, and physical readiness

as factors in their decision-making process. Placement is determined by the Head Coach.

Penguin Chicks  Ages 5 and Up
Schedule: 4 times per week M-TH for 30 minutes.
Qualifications: Ability to swim 25 yards in both freestyle w/side breathing and backstroke.
Goals: This group is designed to introduce swimmers to swim team and all four competitive strokes (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle). The swimmers in this group receive close instruction

on stroke development through basic drills, kicking, and endurance work.

Galapagos  Ages 6 and Up
Schedule: Offered 4 times per week for 60 minutes.
Qualifications: Must be able to streamline kick one full lap freestyle, and swim the 4 different strokes or

have coach’s recommendation.
Goals: This group is designed to continue the swimmer’s development of the four competitive strokes. Additional endurance training, stroke technique and introduction to turns will be given in preparation for promotion to the Royals group.

Royals  Ages 8 and Up
Schedule: Offered 5 times per week for 75 minutes.
Qualifications: Must be able to perform the four competitive strokes, and train using 50’s on the

1:30 interval.
Goals: This group is designed to focus in on the technique and legality (in USA Swimming Accordance)

of the four competitive strokes. Swimmers will receive in depth training on turns, starts, and finishes in

this group as well. Yardage will run from 2,500-3,500 yards in a 90 minute period.

Kings  Ages 10 and Up
Schedule: Offered 5 times per week for 90 minutes.
Qualifications: Must be 10 years or older or turning 10, and be able to perform the four competitive

strokes legally. Must be able to train 10x50 freestyle on the 1:15 interval and 5x100 freestyle on the 2:30 interval. Swimmers must consistently perform turns, starts, and finishes in practice.
Goals: Focus is on developing the swimmer’s skills and stroke technique; practice yardage will run

from 3,500-4,500 yards in a 120 minute period.

Emperors  Ages 11 and Up
Schedule: Offered 5 times per week for 120 minutes.
Qualifications: Must be 11 years or older, have passed the Kings group and be able to train 10x50 freestyle on :60 interval, 10x100 freestyle on 2:00 interval, 6x100 IM on 2:00 interval. Must show leadership skills at practice and swim meets.
Goals: The focus is on the continued mental and physical development the athlete achieved in the Kings group. Additional practice time is focused towards preparation for local and regional competitions. Dry land drills are a key aspect of this group and participation in dry-land practice is a requirement. Practice yardage will be consistently higher than 4,500 yards per 120 minute period.


Senior Group  High School Age and Up
Schedule: Offered 5 times per week for 120 minutes.
Qualifications: Must have passed the Emperors group and be a high school athlete.
Goals: This group is an extension of the Emperors and allows the swimmer for further
development leading up to local and regional competitions. Dry land participation is a
requirement of this group. Practice yardage will be consistently higher than 5,00 yards per 120 minute period.