NEW JERSEY WAVE MULTI-LEVEL DEVELOPMENT APPROACH

The New Jersey Wave Club program has been structured on the premise that there are basic phases of athlete development in age group swimming. At each level of the program, we continually try to evaluate and adapt to the multitude of factors, both scientific and sociological, that impact the growth and development of young athletes. Experience has taught us that the perfect age group program is a moving target that changes as the population we serve changes and as we learn more and more about the development of young people.

Following is an outline description of the phases of development and the basic premises that currently guide our thinking at each of these levels.

SwimAmerica: Instructional Learn to Swim Program Ages 3-12

This program involves a learn to swim instructional approach to swimming.  It is a non-competitive program with no real training.   The program was developed by the American Swim Coaches Association as a high quality program that addresses some of the problems with other swim lesson programs.   It is the nation’s fastest growing learn to swim program with hundreds of programs around the country and around the world.

For more information regarding SwimAmerica click here 

Super Squad: Basic Skill Development
Ages 11 & Under

This group is an introductory level of competitive swimming. In order to begin at the Super Squad level of our program, swimmers must be able to swim a minimum of 25 yards freestyle and backstroke.  The teaching to conditioning ratio is 80-90% teaching and 10-20% conditioning.

Age Group: Basic Skill Development – Ages 9-12

This phase is also a basic skill development level of competitive swimming.   There is continued emphasis on fundamentals and basic motor learning skills and coordination in the water.  The swimmers at this level learn more complex stroke drills and continue to work on developing basic technical skills in all four strokes.   The percentage of basic swimming endurance increases at this level.  The ratio of teaching to conditioning is 65-70% teaching and 30-35% conditioning.  Swimmers are also encouraged to begin swimming on a year round basis.

Senior Prep: Basic Training Development
Ages 11 to 14

At the age of 11-14, advanced swimmers who have already demonstrated a high level of commitment to the sport move into the Senior Prep program. Swimmers who move into this practice level are able to swim all four strokes and maintain good technique on low intensity interval work. This phase is a transitional level where the emphasis begins to change from primarily teaching to a relatively equal balance of technique work and physiological development.  The ratio of teaching to conditioning is 40-50% teaching and 50-60% conditioning.  It is of prime importance that these athletes train on a year round basis.

Senior Advanced: Progressive Training
Ages 13 to 18

Most team members move into the senior levels of our program at age 13. The Senior Advanced Group has built in flexibility in the schedule for those swimmers who have made swimming one of several activities they participate in or are still developing their skills, conditioning and /or commitment.  Commitment level is decided upon jointly between the athletes, parents and coaches on an individual basis. For most, the program structure calls for more time to be devoted to physiological conditioning than to teaching fundamentals.  The ratio of teaching to conditioning is generally 35% teaching and 65% conditioning (but can be highly individual), after early season technique emphasis work.

National / Sectional Group: Elite Training
Ages 13 & Over

Swimmers with the appropriate dedication, desire, experience, and talent move to the advanced training level of our program at 13-15 years of age. The training program in this group is very demanding with a heavy emphasis on distance-based and IM physiological training for most athletes.  The ratio of teaching to conditioning is 25% teaching and 75% conditioning once the early season technique emphasis has been set into place (3-5 weeks).  Attendance and commitment expected.

Lakeland Family Group

Lakeland Family website

Membership information:

   NJW Fee Policy 2008-09   

   Credit Authorization form 2008-09 (for payment by credit card)   

   Payment Coupons (for checks only)

   Team Handbook - Redbook 2008-09

top of page