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Who We Are - The Davis AquaMonters Swim Team
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About the Program
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At Davis AquaMonsters, each swimming group is intentionally designed to meet swimmers where they are developmentally.
As swimmers progress through the program, they build technical skills, confidence, the habits of being an athlete, and a lifelong love of swimming. Our goal is to help every swimmer pursue mastery at an age-appropriate level while providing pathways that support both competitive and non competitive goals.
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AquaMonsters Foundations
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Little Monsters (ages 4-6, - Summer, Fall + Spring Sessions)
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Program Purpose
Little Monsters is our small group learn to swim program, designed to help young swimmers become safe, confident, and independent in the water.
Skill Development
Swimmers learn the foundational skills of swimming, including:
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• floating
• kicking
• body position
• air exchange
• water safety
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As their confidence and skills develop, swimmers progress toward swimming independently in a fun, encouraging, and supportive environment. For Little Monsters, we focus on: comfort in the water, ability to listen and work with and follow directions of the coach, air exchange (critical), developing kicking (leg strength) as it is their swimming engine and then putting it all together to develop freestyle and backstroke. For those outside the pool, Little Monsters looks like swim lessons.
Swim Meet Participation
Swim meet participation is not part of the Little Monsters program.
Pathway
Little Monsters prepares swimmers for Big Monsters, where they continue developing their swimming skills and are introduced to the four competitive strokes.
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Big Monsters (ages 5-8, Summer, Fall, Winter, March + Spring Sessions)
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Minimum Requirements
Swimmers must:
• be in kindergarten or older
• be able to swim 12.5 yards of freestyle independently
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Program Purpose
Big Monsters is designed for swimmers who have completed swim lessons or Little Monsters and are independent in the water. Swimmers continue developing their skills in a fun, supportive team environment.
Skill Development
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Swimmers are introduced to and begin developing the four competitive strokes:
• freestyle
• backstroke
• breaststroke
• butterfly
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Practices focus on improving body position, kicking, breathing, coordination, and foundational swimming skills. Swimmers also learn practice routines, build friendships, and become part of the AquaMonsters community. The Big Monsters swim program expands upon the Little Monsters program by offering exercise and instruction on an almost year-round basis.
Swim Meet Participation
Swim meet participation is optional. Swimmers may explore competition while progressing at a pace that is right for them.
Pathway
Big Monsters prepares swimmers for White Group, where they continue developing the skills + fitness needed to become confident, proficient swimmers.
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White Group (Ages 9 to 12, Summer, Fall, Winter, March + Spring Sessions)
Minimum Requirements
Swimmers must be able to swim:
• 25 yards of freestyle
• 25 yards of backstroke
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Program Purpose
White Group is designed for swimmers who are ready to build on their swimming skills in a fun, supportive environment where Every Monster Matters.
This group lays the foundation for each swimmer's journey by developing confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging while continuing to develop the swimming skills needed to become a confident + proficient swimmer, more capable and independent in the water.
Skill Development
Swimmers continue learning and developing the four competitive strokes:
• freestyle
• backstroke
• breaststroke
• butterfly
Practices emphasize proper technique, body position, coordination, and foundational swimming skills.
Swim Meet Participation
Whether they choose competitive swimming or not, swimming is a valuable life skill that lasts a lifetime. Swim meet participation is optional. Swimmers may explore competition while progressing at a pace that is right for them.
Pathway
White Group prepares swimmers first and foremost to become confident + proficient swimmers while building skills needed for Red Group.
Competitive Track
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Red Group (Ages 9 to 13, minimum 4th grade)
Minimum Requirements
Swimmers must:
• be in at least 4th grade
• swim all four competitive strokes legally
• circle swim effectively with teammates
• be ready for structured training and competition
• have Directors' approval
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Program Purpose
Red Group is designed for swimmers who are ready to take the next step in their competitive swimming development and begin learning the skills and habits of being an athlete.
Training Focus
Swimmers learn to train using intervals and begin completing structured training sets. Practices emphasize:
• continued stroke development
• endurance
• race skills
• interval training
• practice responsibility
• building confidence through training and competition
• pursuit of mastery at a level appropriate to their age
Swim Meet Participation
Participation in swim meets is expected. Competition is an important part of each swimmer's growth and development in Red Group.
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Pathway
Red Group builds the foundation for the increased training and competitive expectations of Maroon, Black, and the Senior groups.
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Maroon Group (Grades 7 to 8. Offered during the March session.)
Prerequisites
Swimmers must:
• have participated consecutively in the Fall, Winter, and February Red Group sessions • have Directors' approval
This consistent training foundation helps swimmers prepare for the increased expectations of Black Group.
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Program Purpose
Maroon Group is a transitional training group for swimmers who are ready to move from Red Group toward becoming Black Group athletes.
The program provides a gradual progression in training volume, practice expectations, and athlete development while supporting swimmers through the transition of junior high.
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Training Structure
Maroon swimmers practice:
• three days per week with Red Group
• two days per week with Black Group
This structure gives swimmers the opportunity to be leaders in Red Group while becoming learners in the Black Group training environment, allowing them to build confidence while successfully adapting to increased training expectations.
Training Focus
Practices emphasize:
• increased endurance
• interval training
• technical refinement
• adapting to increased training expectations
• continued development of the skills and habits of being an athlete
• pursuit of mastery at a level appropriate to their age
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Swim Meet Participation
Participation in swim meets is expected as swimmers continue preparing for higher levels of training and competition.
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Pathway
Maroon Group provides the developmental bridge that prepares swimmers for a confident and successful transition into Black Group for the Summer Session.
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Black Group (Grades 7 to 8)
Prerequisites
Black Group is designed for swimmers who:
• have developed strong technical skills
• have experience in competitive swimming
• understand interval training
• are ready for a more advanced training environment
• are committed to continued growth
• have Directors' approval
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Program Purpose
Black Group supports swimmers as they become increasingly independent, capable, and responsible athletes.
The group serves competitive swimmers as well as multi sport athletes and swimmers who want to train at a high level without participating in every competitive season.
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Training Focus
Practices emphasize:
• technical refinement
• aerobic development
• race skills
• interval training
• increased training capacity
• independence as an athlete
• continued pursuit of mastery
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Swim Meet Participation
Swim meet participation is expected for swimmers pursuing competitive swimming. AQM also recognizes that some athletes train with Black Group while participating in other sports or choosing not to compete during a particular season.
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Pathway
Black Group prepares swimmers to transition into Senior Racing, or into Senior Training, during high school.
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Senior Racing (Grades 9 to college)
Prerequisites
Swimmers must:
• have trained in Black Group or have comparable training experience
• be committed to consistent training and participation in competition
• have Directors' approval
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Program Purpose
Senior Racing is designed for swimmers committed to training and participating in competition. Swimmers may compete in:
• high school meets
• summer league meets
• USA Swimming meets
• travel meets throughout the season
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Training Structure
Senior Racing swimmers have approximately 8 swim practices each week.
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Training Focus
Practices emphasize:
• technical refinement
• training and conditioning
• race preparation
• continued pursuit of mastery
• personal growth
• championship performance
• contributing to a positive team environment
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Swim Meet Participation
Participation in swim meets is an expectation of Senior Racing.
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Pathway
Senior Racing is the final group on the competitive track. Some swimmers continue into college swimming. All of them leave with learning, growth, and mastery that can be applied in other arenas of life.
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Training Track
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Teen Fitness (Ages 13 to 19)
Minimum Requirements
Swimmers must:
• have an understanding of all four competitive strokes
• have the ability to learn circle swimming
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Program Purpose
Teen Fitness is designed for teens who want to swim in a fun, challenging, and supportive environment without the expectation of year round competition.
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Training Structure
Teen Fitness meets three days per week for 75 minute practices.
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Training Focus
Practices focus on:
• stroke technique
• conditioning
• overall fitness
• continued skill development
• enjoyment of swimming
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Swim Meet Participation
Swim meet participation is optional. Teen Fitness is an excellent fit for swimmers who want to continue swimming for fitness, skill development, and enjoyment.
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Pathway
Teen Fitness supports swimming for fitness and enjoyment throughout the teen years. Swimmers interested in moving into Senior Training or onto the competitive track should speak with the Directors.
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Senior Training (9 to 12)
Prerequisites
Swimmers must have trained in Black Group or have comparable training experience.
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Program Purpose
Senior Training is designed for high school swimmers who want challenging workouts, expert coaching, and the camaraderie of a team without the commitment of competition.
The group provides swimmers with the flexibility to continue developing while navigating academics, other sports, extracurricular activities, and changing schedules. This group is ideal for multi sport athletes who want a high level of training and expert coaching without the commitment to a regular practice schedule and meets.
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Training Structure
Senior Training swimmers train alongside Senior Racing, in the same water with the same coaches. The difference is how often. Senior Training swimmers may attend 3 to 4 swim practices each week out of the approximately 8 that Senior Racing attends, choosing the practices that best fit their schedules.
Monday morning practices are reserved for Black Group and Senior Racing.
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Training Focus
Practices emphasize:
• stroke technique
• training + conditioning
• overall performance
• continued athlete development
• team connection
• long term participation in swimming
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Swim Meet Participation
Swim meet participation is not part of the Senior Training group. Swimmers who want to compete in USA Swimming, high school, or summer league meets, or who want to prepare for competition, must register for Senior Racing.
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Pathway
Senior Training is the final group on the training track and supports swimming as a lifelong pursuit.
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USA Swimming versus Summer Recreation
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There is much misinformation in the Summer Recreation (Summer Rec) vs. USA Swimming debate. It is not about which path is better than the other. It is about are the swimmer's goals, what are the families values and, what are the swimmers and families willing to commit to. It is about which swim program is a better fit.
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Summer Rec is a wonderful way to develop age-group swimmers (13 & under). Children learn to be courageous, overcome the challenges of swim (getting disqualified or "DQ'd," not getting personal bests or "PB's," or not being on the "A" relay), racing, learning to strive for their personal best, learning to swim their strokes better, learning to get feedback from their coach, and then being able to apply these new skill in another race over the course of the summer.
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For some the Davis AquaMonster USA Swimming program is a good fit for the swimmer who is wanting to commit to swimming, wants to see how fast they can swim, and challenge other swimmers. Swimming fast is fun whether you are 6 years old - 20 years old. It feels really good to know that you created your own experience as you race.
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Learn more about our swim program by starting at https://www.davisaquamonsters.org/davis-swim-team