13 & Under Provincial
The Hyack Swim Club has had a successful Age-group program for many, many years. Our swimmers are consistently among the best in the Province, are ranked Nationally, and are the cornerstone of our High Performance Senior National group.
Overview: Provincial is for athletes who have graduated from our Regional program. Here, swimmers are able to swim the four competitive swim strokes well at all distances.
The focus in this level is improving athlete's ability to swim the four competitive strokes for longer distances as well as advance their fitness level in order for them to progress into the next group (Age Group Development). These swimmers also continue their refining of the competitive starts and turns for each of the four strokes. Concepts such as nutrition, mental skills acquisition, and energy systems are taught to the athletes in this group.
Our objective for the swimmers in this group is to begin to excel at the provincial level both at regional and provincial level competitions. Exposure to inter-provincial competition begins and travel competitions become part of the program. Every swimmer graduating this program will be able to swim every event and perform each stroke proficiently. We also advance each swimmer's stroke technique, swimming speed, and overall fitness. Athletes in this group are expected to begin to approach the sport of swimming as their primary activity and are able to attend all scheduled practice sessions and competitions (including training camps) without having interference from commitments to other sports. The importance and appreciation of following the training program and evolving one's fitness levels becomes apparent.
Pre-requisites:
Graduation from Regional (minimum age 11 to maximum of 13)
11&u or 13&u Swim BC standards are performance levels recommended for entry into the group.
Coach’s assessment.
Swimmers’ Commitment and Goals:
1. Attend minimum 90% of practices, always attend Saturday morning practice, always attend other morning practices.
2. Aim for Swim BC and Age Group National standards in your age group.
3. Commit to attend all camps, swim meets, and social events on your schedule. It is expected that you will commit to the seasonal Meet Schedule as outlined at the start of each season, SC and LC.
4. Commit to attend the highest level of meet you qualify for during the season. It is expected that you will prepare in advance to compete at the BC Divisional / Provincial Championships and the Canadian Age Group Nationals should you qualify.
5. Show a desire to train, compete, and excel at the Provincial level! Show a desire to set personal and team goals, and to consistently improve. Aim to advance to the Youth National group.
6. Have Fun!
Parents’ Commitment:
1. Arrange to have your swimmer attend all practices and as many of the other offered camps and events as possible. You are highly encouraged to initiate carpooling with other parents in the group or similar group schedule at this stage.
2. Contact your coach to let them know if your swimmer may miss a practice or event.
3. Stay informed by reading and responding to: emails, website. Communicate with your swimmer’s coach on a regular basis via email, post-practice chat, or scheduled meeting.
4. Parent volunteer requirement program continues. Assist with timing at Invitational meets, further your Officials qualifications, get involved with other events through the year. Consider volunteering for a position on the Hyack Board of Directors.
Team Gear and Equipment Requirements:
Practice: Swimsuit (boys – jammers or briefs, no shorts), goggles, cap (especially girls with long hair), flippers, pull buoy, paddles, snorkel, band, mesh-bag, water bottle, athletic shoes and clothes for the fall and spring.
Competition: Hyack Team Suit (aqua blade option recommended), Hyack Team T-shirt x2, Hyack “Meet” Cap, Team ‘Hoodie’
Practice Info:
5 x per week. Practices range in time and focus to include 15 minutes of dry-land and 1-1.15 hours of swimming depending on the day. At this level of swimming, there are periods of time where more or less may be on the schedule due to many factors including but not limited too: the time of season, holidays, competition schedule, camp opportunities, age of swimmers, etc.
