Pre-Competitive Program

The pre-competitive program is designed for entry-level swimmers who are interested in having fun while being introduced to some of the technical aspects of swimming skills. This beginner program is designed to teach the swimmer to feel comfortable in the water and learn to move through it effectively. It also focuses on basic movements and abilities needed for swimming competitive strokes with an emphasis on freestyle and backstroke.

There is also some development of stamina and endurance. Swimmers must be able to complete one continuous length of a 25-metre pool (no specific stroke) to be accepted into this program.

There are two levels in the Pre-Competitive Program. Swimmers are placed based on age and ability. Practices run from mid-September through June, with an option to swim in July. This is a non-competitive program, and these swimmers do not compete in meets.

Mini Rays

The Mini Rays Program is ideal for children ages 5-7. The swimmer will attend one 45-minute practice a week with up to a 1:8 Coach to Swimmer ratio. Two practice time options are offered.

Splash Rays

The Splash Rays program is ideal for children ages 6-9. The swimmer will attend two 45-minute practices a week with a 1:8 Coach to Swimmer ratio. Several practice time options are offered.

Development Program

The Development program is designed for swimmers aged 12 years old and under who have mastered the basics (either through our Splash Rays program or city/private lessons) and are now ready to be introduced to competitive swimming. 

Practices consist of stroke work to build skills, endurance work to gain strength, and “quality” to increase speed.  All four competitive strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly) are taught in this program.  

This program is split into four groups based on age and ability.

Launch Rays

Launch Rays is BAD’s entry level into competitive swimming for swimmers aged 9-11. Launch Rays practices are 1.5 hours in length, two times a week. The swim season lasts from September to June.  Swimmers participate in smaller local meets.

Novice

Novice is BAD’s entry level into competitive swimming for swimmers aged 9 & under. Novice practices are 45 minutes in the water, three times a week, plus two land sessions for 30 minutes each.  Land sessions are usually scheduled before or after practice in the water. The swim season lasts from September to June.  Swimmers participate in smaller local meets.

Junior 1 

The Junior 1 level program is for swimmers who have made progress through Novice or Launch Rays and are ready to increase to the next level. The Junior 1 program is for swimmers aged 10 to 12 years. Swimmers in this group have four practices in the water (1.5 to 2 hours) and one land session (1 hour) each week. The swim season lasts from September to June.  Swimmers participate in smaller local meets.    

Junior 2 

The Junior 2 level program is for swimmers who have made progress through Novice and are ready to increase to the next level. The Junior 2 program is for swimmers aged 10 & under. Swimmers in this group have three sessions in the water (1.5 hours each) and one land session (1 hour) each week. The swim season lasts from September to June.  Swimmers participate in smaller local meets and begin to qualify for Regional Championships.       

Competitive Program

The Competitive program is designed for swimmers who have developed strong swimming skills and wish to compete regularly and have demonstrated a willingness to commit to a more rigorous training program. Swimmers are expected to attend practices regularly, have a positive attitude, be punctual and participate in competitive meets. 

There are six levels within this program.  Each swimmer is placed in the appropriate level based not only on ability but also with some consideration for the swimmer’s age. The swimmers are expected to maintain specific performance criteria as established by the Head Coach to stay at their level. 

Youth Performance and Intermediate 1 

The Youth Performance group, as well as the Intermediate 1 group, are designed for swimmers usually aged 10-13 who have achieved specific time standards at competitive meets, as well as performance standards during their regular practice sessions.

Youth Performance has six swim sessions in the water with one land session, where the Intermediate 1 group has five swim sessions in the water with one land session each week.

Intermediate 2

The Intermediate 2 group is designed for swimmers usually aged 8-11 who have achieved specific time standards at competitive meets, as well as performance standards during regular practice sessions. This group has four swim sessions and one land session per week.   

Intermediate 3

The Intermediate 3 group is designed for swimmers aged 11-14 who are not yet achieving WOSA time standards or performance standards during regular practice sessions. This group has four water sessions and one land session each week.

Senior Performance & Senior

The Senior groups are designed for swimmers aged 13 and over who have achieved specific time standards at competitive meets, as well as performance standards during regular practice sessions.

Senior Performance and Senior

Athletes in these groups are very focused on their competitive swimming and demonstrate their desire for constant improvement daily through regularly attending practice, meeting performance standards for each group and exhibiting exceptional work ethic. 

The Senior Performance group has eight swim sessions and two land sessions per week.

The senior group has four water sessions and two land sessions each week.