Team Registration
Practice Groups
Year Round
The Year-Round program runs September through July Championships. Year-Round swimmers will require a "Premium" membership with USA Swimming and will be able to participate in all qualified USA Swimming sanctioned swim meets and Championship meets.
As part of the year-round program, families are expected to participate in the volunteer and fundraising efforts of the team.
Developmental
/ FLEX
HVA Current’s Developmental / FLEX program is a month-to-month registration allowing families the flexibility of balancing their swimming commitment with their child’s other activities.
Registration for Developmental is the same as for Year-Round - the only difference in fees is your USA Swimming membership. Developmental swimmers will require a "FLEX" or "Seasonal" membership with USA Swimming and will only be able to participate in up to 2 non-Championship swim meets per season (short course and long course).
It takes the same amount of coaching, lane space, but a bit more planning to accommodate Develpmental swimmers. As such, volunteer requirements and fundraising participation is still expected. However, Developmental families will have reduced volunteer requirements.​​
Ripcurrent
Developmental / FLEX / High School Prep
Bronze - ages 10 & Under | Silver - ages 9-12 | Gold - ages 13 & Over
The Ripcurrent program is a technique focused program, with outcome goals for successful summer and high school swimming seasons in mind – and is also our transition program to competitive Ripples, Waves, Riptides, and Tsunami training groups.
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There is no requirement for competing, although it is encouraged.
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Ripcurrent Members will still have access to team clinics (generally beginner to intermediate levels), and are invited to all team functions.
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Ripcurrent Members may join at any time during the season, and “flex” in and out of the program. Ripcurrent training plans run on a 6-week cycle. Reinforcing key concepts for all four strokes each cycle. Swimmers who are in the Ripcurrent programming for longer periods of time will have their plans adjusted (increased distance, more advanced drill work, or faster repeats) to ensure they continue advancing their endurance and competence.
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Ripcurrent Members have lower fundraising and volunteer expectations but still have requirements to remain in good standing.
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Ripcurrent Members will participate in individual recognition programs and group contests, but as they do not generally compete for the team – and often flex in and out – they generally will not meet the criteria to earn other end of year awards.
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Ripples
Year-Round / Competitive
Ages 8 & Under
The Ripples consist of swimmers, generally ages 8 & under, who can confidently swim a 25 of freestyle with an attempt at rotary breathing and backstroke. Swimmers at this level should have an understanding of breaststroke and butterfly but may not yet be able to swim 25 yards of those strokes.
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This group will focus primarily on setting a strong technical foundation while building aerobic capacity. Swimmers must be able to willingly leave their parent for this group (parents must remain upstairs in spectator seating during practice and may pick up their swimmers at the glass double doors after practice).
Swimmers may be broken out into different lanes to focus on specific areas to the level that best meets their individual needs. This simply means that swimmers who may be strong in one discipline will be able to work at the appropriate level while also receiving instruction appropriate to their weaker areas. All Ripples will work to develop all four strokes, freestyle and backstroke flip turns, open turns, and dive certifications. All Ripples will be working towards IMR and IMX goals as appropriate.
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Competition Requirements: 8&Under developmental meets – swimmers are encouraged to participate in a minimum of one meet every other month, but not more than one each month.
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Waves
Year-Round / Competitive
Ages 9-12
The Waves consist of swimmers, generally ages 9-12, who can swim a minimum 25 of freestyle with an attempt at rotary breathing and backstroke. Swimmers at this level should have an understanding of breaststroke and butterfly but may not yet be able to swim 25 yards of those strokes.
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This group will focus primarily on setting a strong technical foundation while building aerobic capacity. Swimmers may be broken out into different lanes to focus on specific areas to the level that best meets their individual needs. This simply means that swimmers who may be strong in one discipline will be able to work at the appropriate level for that stroke, while also receiving instruction appropriate to their weaker areas.
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All waves will work to develop all four strokes, freestyle and backstroke flip turns, open turns, and dive certifications. Swimmers may be broken out into different lanes to focus on specific areas to the level that best meets their individual needs. All Waves will work on developing and improving all four strokes, turns, and starts. All waves will be working towards IMR and IMX goals as appropriate.
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Competition Requirements: 12& Under developmental or higher meets if qualified. Swimmers are encouraged to participate in a minimum of one meet every other month, but not more than one each month.
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Riptides
Year-Round / Competitive
Ages 11-14
The Riptides are our 12-14 year old swimmers generally in middle school. To become a member of the Riptides, swimmers must be able to maintain a legal stroke for 50 yards and complete a 100IM. This group lays a strong foundation for swimmers entering the Tsunami levels, as dryland training becomes a more prominent part of the overall program, yardage swum increases, and events become more challenging. All swimmers in Riptides will be working towards IMX events, and 200 yards of each stroke, plus the 400IM, along with the 400/500 Free, 800/1000 Free, 1500/1650 Free as appropriate.
Tsunamis
Year-Round / Competitive
Ages 14+
The Tsunamis are our 14 and older swimmers generally in high school. To become a member of the Tsunamis, swimmers must be able to maintain a legal stroke for 100 yards and complete a 200IM. As in prior groups, swimmers will train each set based on stroke competence. Dryland training is an essential part of the overall program. The number of practices will depend upon (a) long-term goals (b) conditioning level (c) coach's approval. All year-round swimmers will be offered 6 main practices each week. Tsunamis will be working towards IMX events, and 200 yards of each stroke, plus the 400IM, along with the 400/500 Free, 800/1000 Free, 1500/1650 Free as appropriate.
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Dryland Practices
In addition to in-water practices, dryland ranging from 15-60 minutes will be offered at every level, appropriate to the developing swimmers needs. Dryland should include:
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Team Building activities;
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Core Training;
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Strength and Power;
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Mobility;
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Pre-hab exercises for shoulder development and protection;
Classroom sessions are planned each week to present and discuss topics of focus ranging from nutrition, new drill introductions, weekly technical focus, or other learning needs ranging from stroke counting and race strategies, to mental training, championship behavior and accountability, time management, work ethic, and connection skills.
While most teams in our area focus on the athletic training, our goal is to develop swimmers who understand and actively participate in their own unique development – empowering them to take charge of their swimming future.
New to the Team?
All families joining HVA Current for the first time will have no fundraising obligations for their first 3 months!
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