Competitive Swimming

Once the Swimmer has developed the core range of skills required to be confident, competent and safe in the water through the various stages, the swimmer may then have the choice to take part in the different aquatic disciplines, Competitive Swimming and Mini-polo

The Club runs six competition training squads (Top, Regional, Youth, Junior, Surrey, Junior Surrey) which cater for our swimmers as they leave the Development groups and progress through to elite competition. These are designed to fast track the more able swimmers with the potential to compete at County, Regional and National levels.

Junior Squad (Coach: April Hedges)

This squad is the first step for an aspiring competitve swimmer. The squad will focus on technique and learning to train for its members. Swimmers will be expected to compete in local and club-based events. On entering the squad swimmers should be aspiring to progress to youth squad. Prior to promotion swimmers may be asked to attend some youth squad sessions by way of preparation.

• Junior Squad Criteria for entry
• Minimum expected weekly training 3 sessions / 4 hours
• Must be able to swim 3 out of 4 strokes with legal technique
• Must have the ability to swim a minimum of 800m continuously with reasonable technique
• Good attitude to training
• Willingness to represent the club in interclub events, and in club endorsed, supported Open Meets and the Club Championships
• Squad fees are applicable and payable by standing order.

Aim of the squad:

• Stroke work, focus on technique
• Understanding different drills and swimming sets
• Learning the basics of the clock
• Starts, turns and relay takeovers
• Competitive Start Award
• Introduction to competition

Progression will not be considered unless the swimmer is undertaking all junior sessions.

Equipment: Kit bag, containing hat, goggles, kickboard, pull buoy, fins, drinks bottle. All equipment should be fully labelled, your child will lose equipment and it is difficult to return it if it is anonymous!

Youth Squad (Coach: Helen Andrews)

This squad is for our aspiring 9 to 13 year-olds. Further emphasis is put on training for competition with the emphasis on developing technique, endurance and speed. This phase also places emphasis on racing starts and turns and introduces our young swimmers to the rules of competition. This stage also usually gives swimmers their first taste of competition at club and 'friendly' galas with the emphasis on enjoyment and improvement.

On entering the squad swimmers should be aspiring to progress to top squad. As a swimmer ascends the squad structure, the level of commitment expected to training and competition increases. In order to join the next squad above, swimmers will be expected to demonstrate the required level of commitment and attendance during a trial period. Prior to promotion swimmers may be asked to attend some top squad sessions by way of preparation.

Youth Squad Criteria for entry:

• Must have the ability or potential to achieve County qualifying times
• Minimum Attendance of 4 sessions/week; preferably 5
• Minimum age 8 years. Age Range 8 -12.
• Good attitude to training
• Willingness to represent the club in interclub events, and in club endorsed, supported Open Meets and the Club Championships
• Squad fees are applicable and payable by standing order

Concentration is on technique rather than speed:

• Focus on technique, PBs, County Qualifying Times, Junior League Selection
• Building stamina
• Reading the clock and working out swim times
• Pacing - understanding different race speeds and how to push themselves.
• Swimmers learning to pace themselves
• All four strokes
• Continue to work on starts/turns/finishes
• Learn good streamlining at all times

Progression will not be considered unless the swimmer is undertaking all five youth sessions.

Equipment: Kit bag, containing hat, goggles, kickboard, pull buoy, fins, hand paddles and drinks bottle. All equipment should be fully labelled, your child will lose equipment and it is difficult to return it if it is anonymous!

Top Squad (Coach: Jim Walker)

The club's top swmmers aiming to compete in Regional and National events. Members of this squad will be expected to commit fully to training and competing. This will include morning swimming sessions and land training. Concentrates further on skill, fitness and speed development.

Top Squad Criteria for entry

• Minimum expected weekly training: 6 sessions / 10+ hours
• Focus on County/Regional/National Qualifying Times & major club competitions such as the National Arena League
• Have to be able to swim all four strokes competently and with legal technique
• Have to be able to start and turn competently in all four strokes
• Good attitude to training
• Ability and commitment to achieve County and Regional Qualifying times
• Willingness to represent the club in League and Open Galas
• Willingness to attend land training sessions

Regional Squad (Coach: Andy Lawrance)

Sits below the top squad and comprises competitive swimmers aiming to compete in Regional and County events. Members of this squad will be expected to commit fully to training and competing. Age 12+

Minimum expected weekly training: 4 sessions / 7 hours

Surrey Squad (Coach Mick Betteridge)

This squad comprises swimmers that wish to compete and aiming to achieve County qualifying times. Members will be expected to commit to training and competing in local and club events but at a less intensive level. Age 11+
Minimum expected weekly training: 3 sessions / 4.5 hours

Junior Surrey Squad (Coach Spiros Gkogkas)

This squad looks to provide an opportunity for late developers who still have the desire to improve and compete. Squad members will be expected to commit to training and competing in local and club events. Swiimers will be given the opportunity tand encouragement to progress to the club's senior squads.

Minimum expected weekly training: 2 sessions / 2.5 hours

Training Cycles

In very simple terms The Head and Squad Coaches will design the training plan to prepare the swimmers in each squad to compete at their full potential at targeted events.

The schedules at each session are designed to achieve certain specific objectives but form part of a planned annual training cycle built around the competition calendar.

Over the course of the year (the swimming calendar runs from September through to July) the coaches will include longer and tougher sessions to give the swimmers greater strength, endurance and fitness, and also shorter sessions to sharpen swimmers as key competitions approach (these sessions will include shorter swims at greater speed).

The various squads will target different competitions and the training will be designed around these but in the case of both Top and Youth Squads, the Surrey County Championships, The London Region Championships and The Arena League Galas will feature strongly in the planning.