To get started with MSA you will first set up an evaluation with Chelsea Dirks-Ham, who can be reached by email at [email protected]. The evaluation will start with a brief meeting to help answer any questions that you and your swimmer may have before hopping in the water.
Please make sure to bring a swim suit and towel to the evaluation, if you have a pair of goggles your swimmer likes to wear we encourage you to bring those as well. Coach Danny will watch the swimmer in the water to determine which training group he feels will be the best fit.
At the conclusion of the in-water portion of the evaluation, Coach Danny will discuss which practice group will be the best option and will go over practice times and monthly dues associated with that training group.
Pandas - $75/month
Monday-Thursday | 6:00-7:00 Swim
Equipment Needs: Suit, Swim Cap, Goggles, Fins, Kickboard, Water Bottle
Group Description: This group is geared towards novice swimmers that are comfortable swimming independently. The four competitive strokes – butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle – will be introduced and improved. Proper body position, kicking and stroke technique development are all a focus of this group. Swimming skills, such as starts/turns/finishes/etc., will also be developed.
80% Technique + 20% Conditioning
Practice Attendance: Swimmers are encouraged to attend three to four practices a week.
Meet Attendance: Swimmers are encouraged to compete in local meets.
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Cubs - $75/month
Monday-Thursday | 7:00-8:00 Swim
Equipment Needs: Suit, Swim Cap, Goggles, Fins, Kickboard, Snorkel, Water Bottle
Group Description: Having learned the basic fundamentals of swimming in the Pandas Group, the Cubs Group will continue to focus on stroke technique, starts and turns. Swimmers in this group will be introduced to the basics of learning interval training as they work to take what they have learned and apply it in a more traditional practice setting.
70% Technique + 30% Conditioning
Practice Attendance: Swimmers are encouraged to attend four practices each week.
Meet Attendance: Swimmers are encouraged to compete in meets.
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Grizzlies - $80/month
Practice Schedule:
Monday-Wednesday | 7:00-8:00 Swim
Tuesday-Thursday | 6:30-7:00 Dryland + 7:00-8:00 Swim
Saturday Mornings | Time TBA 1.5 Hour Swim
Equipment Needs: Suit, Swim Cap, Goggles, Fins, Kickboard, Snorkel, Water Bottle
Group Description: With the knowledge of the basic fundamentals in swimming having been expanded in the Cubs Group, the Grizzlies Group will continue to focus on stroke technique, starts and turn improvement and a greater commitment to swimming. The Grizzlies Group is the first time where more emphasis will be placed on training and less on technique. Technique will still be emphasized, but swimmers will be following more of a training plan than they have in the past.
55% Technique + 45% Conditioning
Practice Attendance: Swimmers are encouraged to attend five practices each week.
Meet Attendance: Swimmers are expected to regularly compete in meets.
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Bruins - $85/month
Practice Schedule:
Monday-Wednesday | 5:30-6:00 Dryland + 6:00-8:00 Swim
Tuesday-Thursday | 6:00-8:00 Swim
Friday | 6:00-7:30 Swim
Saturday Mornings | Time TBA 2 Hour Swim
Equipment Needs: Suit, Swim Cap, Goggles, Fins, Kickboard, Snorkel, Pull Buoy, Paddles, Water Bottle
Group Description: While continuing to focus on stroke technique, starts and turns, swimmers in the Bruins Group will be developing increased aerobic capacity. The Bruins Group will work to increase the level and intensity of training from the Grizzlies Group. The Bruins Group will work to continue improving their understanding of the basic aspects of training and technique.
30% Technique + 70% Conditioning
Practice Attendance: Swimmers are encouraged to attend six practices each week.
Meet Attendance: Swimmers are expected to regularly compete in meets.
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Senior Bears - $95/month
Practice Schedule:
Monday-Wednesday | 5:30-6:00 Dryland + 6:00-8:00 Swim
Tuesday-Thursday | 6:00-8:00 Swim
Friday | 6:00-7:30 Swim
Saturday Mornings | Time TBA 2 Hour Swim
Equipment Needs: Suit, Swim Cap, Goggles, Fins, Kickboard, Snorkel, Pull Buoy, Paddles, Water Bottle
Group Description: Swimmers in the Senior Bears Group practice daily and regularly compete at meets. The Senior Bears Group (in an effort to continue to improve the understanding the aspects of both training and technique) will be using training methods that involve technique work, anaerobic and aerobic training and increased dryland training. The main objective of the Senior Bears Group is to train at the highest level and to compete at the highest level meet each swimmer is qualified for.
30% Technique + 70% Conditioning
Practice Attendance: Swimmers are encouraged to attend six practices each week.
Meet Attendance: Swimmers are expected to regularly compete in meets.
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High School Prep - $80/month
Monday-Thursday | 6:00-7:00 Swim
Friday | 6:00-7:30 Swim
Equipment Needs: Suit, Swim Cap, Goggles, Fins, Kickboard, Snorkel, Pull Buoy, Paddles, Water bottle
Group Description: This group exists for high school students who have an interest in participating in swimming outside of the high school season. Swimmers in this group will focus on getting fit and staying fit for the high school season.
Practice Attendance: Swimmers are encouraged to attend six practices each week.
Meet Attendance: Swimmers have the option to compete at USA Swimming meets outside of the high school season. Meet attendance is up to the discretion of the swimmer.
