Age Groups and Skills
Swimmers are divided into age categories, based on the swimmer’s age on May 31st. The categories are 6 and under (called Shrimps); 7-8; 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 and swim 25 meters (1 length) of backstroke without stopping. See specific details about Shrimps below.
9-10’s: swim 50 meters (2 lengths) of freestyle without stopping in under 1 1/2 minutes and swim 50 meters (2 lengths) of backstroke without stopping.
11-12’s: swim 100 meters (4 lengths) of freestyle without stopping and 50 meters (2 lengths) of backstroke without stopping.
Shrimps (ages 4-6)
To join the Shrimps, a swimmer must be able to make it across the pool (25 meters) unassisted (including grabbing the ropes, jumping in alone, 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.
Shrimps
Many parents approach the Coaches and Team Reps about "swimming up" or "aging up" their Shrimp into an older age group. This means that the parent requests the Shrimp be allowed to compete as a 7-8 based on the swimmer's strong swimming abilities. This is a complex issue. Here are things to consider before you ask to have your swimmer evaluated.
If the Head Coach and Assistant Coach both agree that a Shrimp's swimming abilities are strong enough to compete in the 7-8 group, then the Team Reps and Coaches will discuss the possibility of swimming/aging them up. However, we really try to think through all the complexities first. It is rare that we permanently age-up a Shrimp.
There are a couple of things to consider, though, as a parent.
*Once a Shrimp swims up as a 7-8, they are permanently “aged up” for the season into that group. They cannot return to swim meets with the Shrimps ever again. This is a league rule. So if they did poorly in 7-8s and wanted to go back to Shrimps, they can't.
On our end, as Team Reps and Coaches, we have to consider:
*swimming/aging up strong swimmers, and not others kids, creates a perception of favoritism and inequality within the team. The Team Reps and Coaches then face a lot of “why does so-and-so get to swim up and my kid doesn’t? My kid is just as good.” Obviously, this isn’t great for morale. We already struggle to make sure the year-round swimmers and the summer-only swimmers are treated the same.
*swimming/aging up a Shrimp means they may not do well with the older age group. So instead of summer league being a fun experience where they have the chance to “win” a lot as a Shrimp, it turns into a not-so-great experience.
*if a Shrimp ages up, they have to be swimming legal (aka will not be disqualified) in all strokes. May of the 7-8s may not be swimming legal, but we would hold a age-up Shrimp to a higher standard. Why? Because that age-up Shrimp should not be moved up if they aren’t legal to swim the stroke.
The ultimate decision to allow a "swim/age up" belongs to the Swim Team Reps.
Shrimps will not be attending meets the 2023 season, aging up is not an option this season.
7-8 and 9-10 Age 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 may begin learning flip turns.
Swimmers competing in these Age Groups swim distances as follows:
- Free, Breast, Back and Fly: 25 yards
- Individual Medley (IM): 100 yards
- Relays: 25 yards per person
11-12,13-14, & 15-18 Age 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 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
Our Swimmers
