GATOR SWIM CLUB
Coaching Philosophy
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to develop abilities in our young people that will inspire and empower them to achieve excellence in life through a positive competitive swimming experience. We believe that our sport teaches fundamental life skills that are invaluable beyond the pool. By molding, teaching, and instructing our athletes, we aim to develop in them the self-discipline, personal responsibility, physical fitness, and personal excellence necessary for success in competitive swimming and beyond.
OUR COACHING BELIEFS
- Steady, committed, planned progressive training is the only road to ultimate long-term success.
- Aerobic development and maintenance with proper technique is the foundation for swimming achievement in all strokes over all distances.
- Communication between coach and swimmer, coach and parent, and swimmer and parent is vital.
STRUCTURE OF THE CLUB
Our club structure is set up on the premise that swimmers will grow, adapt, and progress at highly individual rates. We aim to provide a structure that is flexible yet firm and fair to allow each swimmer the best opportunity to reach his/her ultimate long-term potential. Practice groups have been set up to allow for progression from one to the next as a swimmer’s skill level progresses. The groups are organized as follows:
Blue Gators
This is the introductory group for Gator Swim Club. Swimmers in this group should have previously completed formal swimming lessons (such as Swim America) and be comfortable in the water. They should have a basic level of understanding of each of the four strokes. Developmental meets (fun meets with no times or competitive results) and appropriate-level USA Swimming-sanctioned meets held out-of-town will be scheduled periodically and Orange Gators are invited to participate. Swimmers will practice 45 minutes up to 5 days per week in this group. Practice time will be devoted to technical instruction and fundamental skill rehearsal. Swimmers will progress into the Orange Gators group at the coach’s discretion.
Orange Gators
This group is the beginning level of competitive swimming in GSC. Swimmers in this group should have completed formal swimming lessons and/or have a fundamental skill level of each of the four strokes as well as the individual medley. Orange Gators will have the opportunity to participate in periodic developmental meets as well as appropriate-level USA Swimming-sanctioned meets held out-of-town. Swimmers will practice one hour 5 days per week. The majority of practice time in this group will be devoted to teaching and refining proper stroke technique, aerobic development, and teaching critical swimming skills such as clock reading, counting strokes, etc.
Alligators
This group represents the intermediate level of competitive swimming in GSC. It is comprised of swimmers who are committed to training for competitive success at the J.O. level. Swimmers in this group should have completed the learning progressions covered in the Orange Gators group. Swimmers are expected to compete in regular USA Swimming-sanctioned meets that GSC participates in as a team. Practice will be held for an hour and a half 5 days per week. Practice time will be devoted to aerobic training and technique refinement.
Junior Gators
This group represents an advanced level of competitive swimming within our club. Swimmers in this group undergo demanding physical training to achieve competitive success at the State/Junior Olympic level. To be in the Junior Gators, a swimmer should have completed the technical and competitive skills covered in the Alligators and commit to the level of training that will be expected of him in the Junior Gators. Practices for Junior Gators run 2 hours per day, 6 days per week. Attendance at all practices is expected. Practice will be devoted to challenging aerobic and sprint training, extensive dryland training, and technical refinement.
Senior II
The Senior II group is composed of swimmers of high school age who are committed to training for competitive success. Swimmers in this group undergo demanding physical training to achieve competitive success at the state level. To be in the Senior II group, a swimmer must be willing to undergo rigorous training for improvement. Practices for Senior II runs 2 hours per day, 6 days per week. Attendance at all practices is expected. Practice will be devoted to challenging aerobic and sprint training, extensive dryland training, and technical refinement.
Senior I
This group is comprised of swimmers at the most elite level of competitive swimming within GSC. They perform an extensive and rigorous training regimen including aerobic and sprint training, dryland training (may include weights and running), and stretching. To be in the Senior Gators, a swimmer should have completed the requirements of the Junior Gators and commit to training to achieve at the highest level of his ability. Swimmers in the Senior Gators group compete at the State/Junior Olympic, National, and International levels. Practice runs 2 to 3 hours and is held 6 or 7 days per week with additional morning workouts of equal length. Practice will be devoted to all-encompassing training for all events including technical and racing skill development, speed enhancement, and aerobic distance training. The Senior Gators group is only for athletes committed to training and competing at the highest level.
Masters
Our Masters group is comprised of adult swimmers from wide-ranging backgrounds who swim for a variety of reasons. Currently, this group includes triathletes, fitness swimmers, lap swimmers, former Olympians, and even those who have just recently learned to swim! Many parents of our competitive youth swimmers swim regularly with our Masters team. Practice is structured and coached in a way that allows each individual to have a workout custom-tailored to meet his or her needs. We offer 14 practices per week. Full-time members may attend unlimited practices, while part-time members may attend up to 2 practices per week. Meets are available for those swimmers who have competitive ambitions. Members of this group must be 18 years old. For more information and practice schedule, please see our Masters page.
How to contact us:
Head Nancy Hennessy
By phone: 352 375-4683 x 4595
By e-mail: HeadCoachGSC@gmail.com
By fax: 352 374-8727