AQUAGYM SQUADS.
AquaGym Swim Club provides coaching for swimmers who have graduated from Learn to Swim or Junior Development programme and who are ready to focus on a competition and are race ready. There are seven squads –
Transition, Junior, Intermediate, Development, National Squad, Tri/Surf/Masters Group and Para squad.
Transition Squad
The Transition Squad is the AquaGym Swim Club’s transition squad from Learn To Swim (LTS) lessons to competitive swimming. The goal of this squad is to develop skills and technique in a positive, fun environment and to begin racing at Junior and local meets in Christchurch.
Age Range: 11 - 12 years
1 x 45 minute training session per week (in addition to existing LTS sessions)
Squad Focus:
Still swimming with other Learn to Swim lessons. Example: Aquagym "J" squads
Introduced into club environment with particular attention to learning best practice for competitive swimming events such as stroke rules, turns and dives
Can race at ‘Aquameets’, ‘have a go meets’ and some development meets (at instructors discretion)
Junior Squad
The Junior Squad is a transition level and entry is at the discretion of the Head Coach in consultation with the Assistant Coaches.
Age Range: 11 - 12 years
2 - 3 x 1 hour training sessions per week
Squad Focus:
Learning drills for competitive strokes, mastering race skills such as starts and turns
Training skills are developed such as following a workout, using a pace clock, variable distances and intensity and working as a team
Race at ‘Aquameets’ and development meets within the Canterbury region
Intermediate Squad
The Intermediate Squad is the third level of competitive swimming offered by AquaGym Swim Club.
Age Range: 11 - 14 years
3 - 5 x 75 - 90 minute training sessions per week
Squad Focus:
Swimmers start to follow a structured training plan targeting Makos Juniors, NZ Junior festival, AIMS Games, South Island champs and SNZ Div2
Main emphasis on developing swimmers skill level to a high standard
Race at development and designated meets nationwide
Development Squad
The Development squad is the first squad that have performance requirement.
Swimmers must be 13 years of age and must have NZ Juniors, NZ Division 2 or NZ Age Group qualifying times in order to be eligible.
Age Range: 13 - 18 years
4 - 6 x 1.5 hour training sessions per week
There is also an additional dryland component prior to some sessions.
Squad Focus:
Swimmers follow a structured training plan targeting NZ Age Group Champs, SNZ Div2, NZSC Champs & NZ Secondary School Champs.
Swimmers in the Development Squad are committed to represent AquaGym at the highest possible standard both in and out of the pool.
Swimmers are adding structured land based training to their program
National Squad
This squad is the top strand of performance swimming at Aquagym.
Entry into this squad is by invitation only from the Head Coach and all swimmers must meet the strict performance criteria, and agree to the full training commitment.
Age Range: 15+ years
7 - 8 x 1.5 - 2 hours training sessions per week
There is also an additional dryland component prior to some sessions.
Squad Focus
Swimmers follow a structured training plan targeting international competition, NZ Open Champs, NZ Age Group Champs & NZSC Champs as well as international open water events.
Swimmers in the national squad are expected to have a leadership role within AquaGym and lead by example in all aspects.
The AquaGym National Squad is a high performance squad for athletes striving to medal at national champs and make NZ representative teams
Tri, Surf, Water Polo, Masters, Open Water Swimming
AquaGym has 2 levels of aquatic fitness squads.
1 - 3 sessions per week
3 - 5 sessions per week
There are 7 sessions to chose from:
PLEASE NOTE: Elite Triathletes who may require different training, skills and coaching can be integrated into the existing competitive squads.
This will be at the sole discretion of the Head Coach.
PARA SQUAD
The aim of the Para squad is very similar to the Transition squad. We aim to provide para athletes with the opportunity to transition from learn to swim to competitive swimming.
The goal of this squad is to develop skills and technique in a positive, fun environment and to begin racing at Junior and local meets in Christchurch.
The aim for Para Squad members is to move into Junior, Intermediate, Development and finally the National Squad as part of the Team AquaGym competitive pathway.
Non-training squad members
Non-training squad members Swimmers who are in Learn to Swim programmes at other pools in Christchurch are very welcome to become members of the AquaGym Swim Club and compete in local meets.
Members who are not part of the coaching squads will receive the following:
The opportunity to compete at local meets
Pool side support at Meets and Junior Carnivals from Team Managers and Coaches as they start on the competitive pathway
Club Education nights
Club social and team building events
Annual Club championships and awards celebration
Parent support and information
