Age Group Skills
Swimmers are divided into age categories, based on the swimmer’s age on May 31st. The categories are 8 and under; 9-10; 11-12; 13-14; and 15-18.
To join the swim team, we suggest that:
8 and unders: swim 25 meters (1 length) of freestyle without stopping in under 1 minute.
9-10’s: swim 50 meters (2 lengths) of freestyle without stopping in under 1 1/2 minutes
11-12’s: swim 100 meters (4 lengths) of freestyle (front crawl) without stopping and 50 meters (2 lengths) of backstroke without stopping.
***If for any reason your swimmer cannot make these lengths or times, we encourage your swimmer to still come out. We practice for several weeks before our first swim meet and routinely are able to build up swimmers to acheive these goals***
Ages 8 and Under
For this age group, a swimmer must be able to make it across the pool (25 yards) unassisted (including grabbing the ropes and pushing off the bottom). Swimmers that cannot make it across during the pre-season assessment should try again the following year. Please understand that we are a swim team, not "free" swimming lessons.
If your swimmer is close to being able to make it, they can join the team with the understanding that they have to be able to make it across the pool by the first swim meet. If they are unable to make it across by then, they are still invited to practice with the team; however, they cannot compete in meets until they can make it the full length of the pool (Greater Charlotte Swim League rule).
On rare occasions a swimmer may be needed to "swim up" to a higher aged event. This occurs only if the our team does not have enough swimmers within the age group to field a relay team (Greater Charlotte Swim League rule).
Swimmers in this group will focus on the freestyle stroke. At the discretion of the coaches, swimmers will move to more advanced strokes and techniques. The competition distance is 25 yards.
Ages 9-10 Groups
Swimmers in this age group will learn and compete in the following strokes: Freestyle, Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Backstroke.
Each swimmer can compete in 3 individual events and 2 relays. Ribbons will be awarded for the 1st - 4th place finishers with heat ribbons also awarded to all heat winners. If your child is an alternate for one of the relay teams, that counts as one of their two relay events. It is important for your child to stay for the entire meet if assigned as either an active participant or alternate on a relay team.
Swimmers in this age group begin learning flip turns.
Swimmers competing in this Age Group swim distances as follows:
- Free, Breast, Back and Fly: 25 yards
- Individual Medley (IM): 100 yards
- Relays: 25 yards per person
Ages 11-12, 13-14 and 15-18 Groups
Swimmers in these age groups will learn and compete in the following strokes: Freestyle, Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Backstroke.
Each swimmer can compete in 3 individual events and 2 relays. Ribbons will be awarded for the 1st - 4th place finishers. If your child is an alternate for one of the relay teams, that counts as one of their two relay events. It is important for your child to stay for the entire meet if assigned as either an active participant or alternate on a relay team.
Swimmers in these age groups are expected to learn and execute flip turns.
Swimmers competing in these age groups swim distances as follows:
- Free, Breast, Back and Fly: 50 yards
- Individual Medley (IM): 200 yards
- Relays: 50 yards per person