Martin County Swimming offers training for competitive swimmers of all ages and ability levels. Our coaches challenge and develop each individual to reach their full potential through age-specific training:
Swim squads include
- Pre-Team
- Age Group
- Juniors
- Seniors
- Masters
- Bronze
Tryouts are scheduled Wednesdays BY APPOINTMENT ONLY (you cannot be late; coaches will typically start coaching the team after your appointment)
All swimmers must do a tryout for training group placement (exceptions for older swimmers with competitive experience may not need).
You cannot register for the team until you have completed a tryout.
To tryout, a swimmer must be able to swim multiple lengths of the pool (25 yards/75 feet) with good form.
We are NOT a "Learn to Swim" program. We are a competitive swimming team.
The following are guidelines - there are exceptions as its ability based more than age based.
If your swimmer is already a competitive swimmer with official USA Swimming (or FINA) times a tryout is not needed. Email Coach Hartley.
Pre-Team Squad
Age: 5 and over
Eligibility: Swimmers must be able to swim 25 yards (75 feet) Freestyle, with side breathing and without stopping.
Note: this is not a "learn to swim" group, swimmers must be comfortable in the water and
prepared to swim multiple lengths of the pool each practice. One length = 25 yards.
Goal: Swimmers will further their skills and refine the four strokes needed for competitive swimming.
Focus: Swimmers will be introduced to endurance training while working on competition stroke techniques, turns and starts (similar to dives). Swimmers will also be introduced to the team environment and learn how to become good teammates.
Pre-Team Coach: Tammi Haynes
Location: Coach Dick Wells Training Center located at Martin County High School
Practice: T & TH 5:00-5:45 pm
Bronze Squad
Age: Varied
Eligibility: Too advanced for Pre-Team. Will prepare their transition for move up to Age Group with more advanced coaching.
Goal: To compete in USA Swimming Meets
Focus: Swimmers will work on technique and building endurance. Will learn to perform proper racing starts and turns for all 4 strokes as well.
Bronze coach: Tammi Haynes
Location: Coach Dick Wells Training Center located at Martin County High School
Practice: MWF 5:00-6:00pm
Age Group Squad
Age: Varied
Eligibility: Swimmers must be able to swim 25 yards freestyle and 25 yards backstroke and have beginning skills in breaststroke and butterfly.
Goal: To compete in Invitational and Junior Olympics meets.
Focus: Swimmers will focus on improving technique of all four strokes, as well as the 200 IM. Greater emphasis on aerobic swimming will take place. They will also learn how to perform proper starts, turns, and race strategies. A much greater emphasis will be placed on training and aerobic development.
Age Group Coach: Barbara Proctor
Location: Coach Dick Wells Training Center located at Martin County High School
Practice: M-F 4:30-6:00 pm
Junior Squad
Age: approx. 11 and over (usually middle school age)
Eligibility: Swimmers should meet USA Swimming “B” standards for their age group.
Goal: To compete in Invitational and Junior Olympics.
Focus: Swimmers will continue learning proper technique and building an aerobic base. Swimmers will experience competing in 200 yard/meter races of each stroke, the 400 individual medley, as well as longer freestyle events.
Junior Squad Coach: Danny Hartley, Jim McCombs
Practice: M-F 5:00-6:30 pm and Saturday 7:00-9:00 am
Senior Squad
Age: 12 years and older (middle & high school)
Eligibility: Swimmers in this group should meet USA Swimming A time standards.
Goal: Improvement in all four strokes, development of skills necessary to qualify for Junior National level meets including mileage, intensity, determination, mental preparedness and more. Swimmers in this group are expected to compete and place in Finals at Senior Championships, Florida High School Championships, Winter Championships, Southern Zone Sectionals and qualify for Junior Nationals. Be able to swim 6,000 – 7,000+ Yards/Meters per practice.
Focus: Swimmers are placed in the Senior group by graduating from the Junior group. The group objective is to practice swimming with strength, efficiency, and excellent stroke technique during each practice. Implement different race strategies and expand training terminology. Endurance training and timed interval training are elevated to challenging levels. Swimmers are expected to show willingness and toughness in training. Practices include dryland exercises, running and weightlifting. During the school year they have 8 swim practices (including 2 doubles) per week for 1.5 to 2 hours. In the summer, the number of practices increases to 10 times per week with 4 double workouts. 100% attendance is expected.
Senior Squad Coach: Danny Hartley, Jim McCombs
Practice: Mon thru Sat - speak to coach regarding practice times
Remember:
Squad move ups are a coaching decision.
The staff has nothing to gain by your athlete’s lack of progression
Squad placement is not a statement on the long-term success of your child.
A few factors involved with squad placement:
Actual Age
Physical Age
Mental Age (maturity)
Achievement
Attendance
Work Ethic
Training Ability
Masters
Martin County Swimming is the number one adult swim program in the area. The Martin County Swimming Master has organized workouts 6 times per week for adults 18 and over. Martin County Swimming Masters range in swimming ability from non-competitive fitness swimmers to competitive triathletes. We will help you improve your technique and increase your endurance, and we provide a fun environment. You will enjoy pursuing your swimming goals while meeting like-minded people. In short, we welcome any adult who loves to swim!
Masters Coach: Danny Hartley
Location: Coach Dick Wells Training Center located at Martin County High School
Practices: M,W,F 5:00-6:30am