The Edson Orcas Swim Club offers training and practice groups for swimmers of different ages and abilities. It is the goal of the Edson Orcas Swim Club to offer age specific training for all of our athletes geared towards challenging each individual and developing each individual to the best of THEIR abilities.

At the beginning of each season, we hold Swim Club TRY OUTS for new swimmers to allow our coaches to assess your child and determine if they would be ready to join swim club. This also gives swimmers a chance to see if swim club is the right fit for them.

Swimmers can move between groups during the season at the coach's discretion, only if space allows.

This is our entry level group. All new swimmers must be accepted during Tryouts prior to registering. Tryouts are held in September, and if space allows, again in December. It is recommended that new swimmers have completed Swimmer 3 and required that swimmers complete the Edson Leisure Centre Swim Test prior to enrolling in Tryouts.

The Novice session runs from September to April. There will be an optional session in May/June for those Novice swimmers wishing to continue.

Swimmers will work through 3 levels within the Novice program, which focus on the technical aspects of each stroke while preparing swimmers for competition. Swimmers will be assessed on an ongoing basis throughout the session. Swimmers in this level will move between the 3 levels as they reach the specific requirements for each level. Once they have reached all the requirements, they will be move into the Beginners Program – this will ONLY occur at coach discretion if space allows.

The swimmers in this group will participate in 1 swim meet for the upcoming season (Feb 28-Mar 1 home swim meet) as long as they have met the requirements of the Swim Alberta Competition and Diving Readiness Standards.

Practice times: Tuesdays/Thursdays 4-4:45pm

This is our entry level competitive group. Swimmers move to Beginners after completing the Novice program. The focus of this group is on technical stroke work, skill development and competition readiness.

Swimmers are required to participate in 3 swim meets throughout the season. The season runs from September to June.

Practice Times: Tuesdays/Thursdays - 4:30-4:45 dryland (on pool deck), 4:45-5:45pm pool

At this level, swimmers are participating for competition with a goal to try and get provincial level times or higher. Strength training is mandatory to help increase strength and endurance. Swimmers in this level know how to do all 4 strokes, dives and turns efficiently.

Swimmers in this level are expected to:

• Know best times/pace
• Understand how to do stroke rate/count
• Know how to take HR
• Understand basic nutrition and hydration
• Participate in and know proper activation and stretches
• Be prepared with all equipment and on deck on time for every practice

Intermediate swimmers are required to attend a minimum of 4 swim meets per season.

Practice times:

Mondays/Wednesdays - 3:45-4:30pm dryland (hospitality room), 4:45-5:45pm pool

Fridays - 3:45-4:45pm pool

If space permits - Intermediates may be able to register for morning swim practice (Tues/Thurs 6:45-7:45am)

At this level, swimmers are participating for competition with a goal to try and get provincial level times or higher. Strength training is mandatory to help increase strength and endurance. Swimmers in this level know how to do all 4 strokes, dives and turns efficiently.

Swimmers in this level are expected to:

• Know best times/pace
• Understand how to do stroke rate/count
• Know how to take HR
• Understand basic nutrition and hydration
• Participate in and know proper activation and stretches
• Be prepared with all equipment and on deck on time for every practice

Senior swimmers are required to attend a minimum of 4 swim meets per season.

Practice times:

Mondays/Wednesdays - 3:45-4:30pm dryland (hospitality room), 4:45-6:15pm pool

Fridays - 3:45-5:45pm pool

Strongly encouraged to also attend morning swim practice - Tues/Thurs 6:45-7:45am