Practice Schedule

2026 Regular Season Practices:

• Practices begin on Tuesday, May 26th and continue through Thursday, July 9th
• Information about our Groups (Ripples, Whitecaps, Waves, and Kahunas) is at the bottom of this page.
• Morning Practice on Monday, Wednesday, + Thursday
  • Ripples: 8:30-9:30 am
  • Whitecaps: 8:00 - 9:30 am
  • Waves: 7:30 - 9:00 am
  • Kahunas: 7:30-9:15 am
• Morning Practices on Tuesdays + Fridays: 8:30 - 9:30 am for all groups
• Evening Practice: Tuesday and Wednesday
  • Ripples: 7:00-8:00 pm
  • Whitecaps, Waves, + Kahunas: 7:00-8:30 pm

Swimmer Assessment:

• Coaches will be assessing swimmers ages 10&under (both new and returning) AND all new swimmers (any age) during a pre-season swim test before the season begins. This will give us a chance to ensure safety of our swimmers and place them in the best group for their age and experience level. 

• The minimum requirements to be on swim team include:
  • Complete one continuous lap (25 yards) swimming on the front (belly).
    • May not touch sides or bottom of pool once test begins
    • Must demonstrate some ability to swim with face in the water
  • Jump into the deep end of the pool (> 8 feet deep) and return to the wall
  • Complete at least 1/2 lap (12. 5 yards) swimming on the back

• Swim tests will be held at East Brainerd Rec Center on Thursday, May 7th and May 13th from 5-7 pm and Saturday, May 9th at North River Family YMCA from 9-11 am. Please sign up for a time slot here. 
• Struggling swimmers are encouraged to attend earlier swim tests for feedback and to have an opportunity to re-test at a later swim test date.
• If you have any questions about your child passing the swim test, please reach out with your questions to [email protected].

Groups

Coaches will place swimmers in groups based on their abilities, NOT solely on age. ALL new swimmers to the team will be required to take a test before being placed in a group. Please sign up for a time slot at the link above.

• GROUP 1: Ripples (Coach Julie)

The Ripples are our youngest + least experienced swimmers. Practices will focus primarily on freestyle and backstroke, but swimmers will also begin learning breaststroke and butterfly. Ripples swimmers are generally 8 years and younger.

Requirements: Must complete swim test (see above)

• GROUP 2: Whitecaps (Coach Jillian): The Whitecaps will focus on learning breaststroke and butterfly techniques as well as increasing endurance in freestyle and backstroke. Whitecaps will use a kickboard on a consistent basis. This group is typically ages 9-10.

Requirements: 

1. Must be able to swim one continuous lap of both freestyle AND backstroke

2. Must be able to dive off the side of the pool

• GROUP 3: Waves (Coach Zach): The Waves will focus on refining stroke technique while incorporating more endurance work with all four strokes. Waves will use a kickboard and pull buoy on a consistent basis. This group is typically ages 11-12.

Requirements: 

1. Must be able to swim one lap of all four strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly)

2. Must be able to swim 2 continuous laps (50 yards) of both freestyle and backstroke

3. Must be able to dive off the block

• GROUP 4: Kahunas (Coach Elizabeth): The Kahunas are our oldest and most advanced group of athletes. This group will focus on endurance conditioning, technique refinement, and race strategizing. Kahunas will use a kickboard, pull buoy, and interval clock on a consistent basis. This group is typically ages 13 and older.

Requirements: 

1. Must be able to swim 6 continuous laps (150 yards)

2. Must be able to LEGALLY* swim 50 yards of all four strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly)

*"Legally" refers to adhering to the USA Swimming standards, meaning the swimmer can compete in the stroke and not be disqualified at our swim meets.