HURON HURRICANE CATEGORIES

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Swimmers are divided into lanes based on skill. Ages are listed as a guideline and placement within lanes is at the discretion of the coach based on technique, stamina, understanding and ability of the swimmer.  

All swim workouts are keeping with the Swim Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development Model which involves a clear guide to training the young athlete with a healthy perspective in mind: 

Fun, Fitness, Cross Training, Other Sports, The Arts And Family Life. 

Category 1 (approximate age 6-8)

• Pre-competitive only
• Skills Required: Ages 6+ who can swim at least two lengths of the pool without stopping in Freestyle or Backstroke and can demonstrate some ability in Breaststroke.  Swim tests are mandatory for swimmers 6-10 years of age, or at Lifeguard's discretion.
• Focus: technique, stamina and having FUN!  
• Pool time: 1 hr/week
• In house competitions and one optional away competition.

Category 2 (approximate age 8-10)

• Pre-competitive only
• Skills Required: Ages 6+ who can swim at least 2 lengths of the pool in Freestyle or Backstroke, and demonstrate some ability in the Breaststroke. Swim tests  are mandatory for swimmers 6-10 years of age, or at Lifeguard's discretion.
• Focus: technique, stamina and having FUN!  
• In house competitions and one optional away competition.
• Pool time: 1-2 hrs/week

Category 3(approximate age 11+)

• Competitive and Pre-competitive
• Focus: 
  • skills and drills with increased technique work
  • fun workouts geared to train the aerobic and cardiovascular system from a swim perspective
  • learn to race components are introduced in this group
• Competitions and Regionals*
• Pool time: 2-6 hrs/week

Category 4 (approximate age 13-14)

• Competitive 
• Focus: technique, fitness & racing; for swimmers committed to learning more and improving their swimming
• Competitions and Regionals*
• Pool time: 8 hrs/week

Category 5 (approximateage 15+)

• Competitive 
• Focus: perfecting technique, training, mental preparedness
• Competitions and Regionals*
• Pool time: 10 hrs/week 

*Regionals competitions only available if qualifying times are achieved