Swim Team
Our USA Swimming team offers age-specific training (5–18) that challenges and develops each swimmer to the best of their abilities. Weekly practices, professional coaching and regular meets transform a young swimmer into a driven athlete.
For more information about our New Hope team, visit our local swim team site.
Beginner
Developmental
Kids in the Developmental Team are exploring the possibility of competitive swimming. They have completed the Life Time 601 lesson program or some equivalent and want more than 30 or 45 minutes of swimming in a week. They learn the basics of freestyle, and develop a foundation for competitive breaststroke and backstroke, along with the racing turns.
Requirements:
- 25 butterfly with legal finish
- 25 breaststroke with legal finish
- 50 legal backstroke with proper body position and finish on back
- 50 legal freestyle with rhythmic, bilateral breathing
Age: 7–10 years old (possibly younger)
Practice: Up to 2x per week for 45 minutes
Bronze
Our entry-level competitive Bronze Team helps swimmers become proficient in the four swimming strokes. Practices focus on stroke technique with fun sets designed to develop endurance and get swimmers excited about racing. Swimmers participate in at least one Minnesota Swimming, Inc., sanctioned swim meet per season.
Requirements:
- 3 x 50-yard freestyle on 1:20 interval
- 100 IM on 2:30 interval
- 3 x 50-yard backstroke on 1:40 interval
- Legally complete a 50-yard swim of every race
Age: 7–13 years old
Practice: Up to 4x per week for 1 hour
Intermediate
Silver
Swimmers on the Silver Team continue to work on stroke technique with the addition of race strategy as members begin competing more frequently.
Requirements:
- 3x100-yard freestyle on 1:50 interval or 5x100-yard freestyle on 2:00 interval
- 200 IM on 4:15 interval or 3x100 IM on 2:10 interval
- 100-yard backstroke on 2:10 interval or 2x50-yard backstroke on 1:15 interval
- Racing start
- Understands intervals and reads pace clock
Age: 7–13 years old
Practice: Up to 4x per week for 75 minutes
Swimmers on Gold Team have considerable experience in competitive swimming. They may swim up to 4,500 yards in a 90-minute practice time and prepare for longer races like the 400 IM, 1000 freestyle and 200 backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.
Requirements:
- 8 x 100 freestyle on 1:40
Age: 11–18 years old
Practice: Up to 5x per week for 90 minutes
Advanced
Senior
Swimmers on Senior Team have achieved champ (state) times. They are expected to manage a practice of 6,000 yards and be at six practices per week as well as attend swimming competitions at the coach’s direction. They will do dryland activities beyond the two-hour swim practice and utilize fins, paddles and snorkels.
Requirements:
- 8 x 100 freestyle on 1:25
Age: 13–18 years old
Practice: Up to 6x per week for 2 hour
College
This is a special group of swimmers who train and swim with their college teams during the school year, and train with Life Time in the summer months. They typically have a 90-minute practice in the early morning of the summer months or train with the Senior Team.
What age can you sign up for swim team? Age ranges?
In general, there are no age limitations for swim team. Swim team participation is dependent on the level of the swimmer. The age range for swim team depends on the individual club.
Where can I find pricing and schedules for swim team?
For the most accurate and updated information, please speak to the aquatics leader at your club during your next visit.
Is membership required to enroll in swim team?
An active club-accessing membership is required to enroll in swim team.
How do I get my child assessed for swim team?
Members are encouraged to schedule an assessment/tryout to determine if their child is ready for swim team and to determine the correct placement. Swim assessments can be scheduled through the Life Time Digital app.
Are there starting blocks?
Presence of starting blocks varies by location. Select clubs that meet pool-depth requirements for starting blocks will have them.
Are there flags?
There are backstroke flags at both the indoor and outdoor pools.
Is there a multiple child discount for swim team?
For members enrolling multiple children in swim team, all children after the first child enrolled will receive a 25% discount.
Does swim team swim indoors or outdoors?
Most swim team practices take place within our indoor pools. However, the outdoor pool may be used depending on the location and weather.