Swimmers in these groups have some competitive swimming experience. The focus of this group is to refine and continue to develop the swimmer's skills. Conditioning and endurance training are also introduced. As with Stroke School and Novice/Beginner Swim Team, all of the swimmer's other activities, such as soccer, baseball, dance, etc. are encouraged. Swimmers generally compete in "BRW" level swim meets and are encouraged to attend at least four of the five 1-1/2 hour practices offered each week. Skills are still being used to advance to the next level. Advancement to the next level would be Junior Olympic Group I.
Gold Group Equipment List
Underlined items indicate required equipment. The examples shown are recommended, not required brands. Swimmers should always put their name on ALL equipment with permanent marker.
- Kick Board
Hard foam boards are preferred, no plastic.
- Fins
Fins should not be hard plastic snorkeling or "toy" fins. Good fins are made of rubber, should fit on like a slipper, and have a fin length that is approximately double your foot length. Young swimmers grow quickly and keeping fins that fit properly is very important. We use them often and fins that are too tight will give them blisters and foot cramps. Unfortunately I have yet to find a good fin with adjustable sizes. Zoomers or short training fins are not recommended for swimmers in the gold group.
- Pull Buoy
Small one piece buoys are recommended
- Bathing cap
Any swimmer (male or female) with hair past their ears needs to wear a cap. Long hair (even if it is in a rubber band) falls out and gets into the filter and causes damage to the pool. Not to mention it is really gross when you get a big long hair in your mouth when you take a breath. Latex or silicone caps are preferred. Lycra caps are easier to get on and won't get as many complaints about being tight, but they fall off very easily and they wear and stretch out very quickly.
- Mesh Equipment Bag
These are mesh bags meant for "wet" equipment. Swimmers should keep all of their equipment that they will use during a practice in one of these bags at the edge of the pool. This helps prevent confusion on whose equipment is whose, and it allows equipment to dry without getting mildew.
- Water Bottle
Believe it or not swimmers do sweat. It is crucial for optimal performance and health to drink WATER and replace fluids lost during exercise, especially in this arid environment. The county has asked us to no longer use disposable water bottles because of the amount of trash being left at the pool. Sports drinks are OK to use in addition to water but not in place of and really should be consumed before and after practice not during. Sports drinks are often high in sugar and salt and are not necessarily appropriate during training. NOTHING is better than water at replacing fluids. You should always read the nutritional information on any sports related product before using them. Many products out there today contain banned substances such as caffeine and creatine. Not only are these substances banned for competition but they can be habit forming, and affect development in young athletes.
- Hand Paddles
Hand paddles are not required, but they can be a very useful training tool. When buying paddles for young swimmers you should look for paddles that are about the same size as the swimmers hands. Large paddles are meant for more mature athletes and can do damage to the shoulders of developing athletes and the other swimmers in their lanes.
- Goggles
Goggles are not required but are highly recommended. Finding the right goggle and getting them adjusted prior to competition or practice is crucial. Young swimmers often complain of goggles being too tight, but when they dive into the pool the goggle fall off. As a coach I have spent as much as 20 minutes a practice messing with goggles because of improper fit, comfort, fogginess, etc. Once you find a pair of goggles that you like, you should keep a spare pair in your equipment bag that is already adjusted. Features to look for in goggles:
- Proper size or adjustable nose pieces. Some goggles are available in junior sizes for smaller swimmers. These have a smaller eye cup and nose piece. Do not buy masks (any goggle that covers the nose).
- Durable and easily adjustable straps. All goggle straps will wear out with time, sun & chlorine so keep this in mind when selecting a pair. The more pieces involved in adjusting a strap means more time spent adjusting. Bungies with a toggle are a great accessory for young swimmers.
- Anti-fog. This helps but never really works. The best way to clear up foggy goggles is to rub spit (yes spit) into the goggle than rinse. It sounds gross but it works.
- A comfortable seal or gasket. Antibacterial is especially important for goggles with foam cushioning. Foam cushioning deteriorates faster and it may be better to avoid foam all together, but some swimmers complain that the silicone, plastic & rubber seals hurt. Usually the softer seals or goggles with a separate gasket used for the seal are less durable and more likely to leak.
- Tint or UV protection. This is important for use in outdoor pools. We have a lot of swim meets in outdoor pools. Swimming backstroke with the Las Vegas sun in your eyes can be very distracting for young competitors.