Program Information

Stingrays’ FUNdamentals Swim School: Learn to Swim Program 2023/24

Program Coordinator: Olivia Charles olivia@duncanstingrays.com

NCCP AAD phase: Active Start & FUNdamentals

Weekly Program commitment: 1 – 3 water sessions per week

 

Equipment required for Stingrays’ FUNdamentals Swim School:

  • Bathing suit
  • Goggles

 

Active Start (Pre FUNdamentals)

Prerequisite: swim 10m unassisted – in any fashion, just all by themselves = Red Cross Swim Kids 2 completed.

This program is the first step in the development of a young swimmer; typically ages 5 – 6yrs of age.  Essential skills include familiarity with the water environment including the introductions to the basics of our sport in floatation, propulsion, transfer of body weight, streamlines, kicking.  At the conclusion of the group,  Swimmers will begin to learn the basics of Freestyle and Backstroke.

 

FUNdamentals Stage 1

Prerequisite: swim 25m unassisted = Red Cross Swim Kids 4 completed.

This program is the second step in the development of the young swimmer; typically 6 – 7yrs of age.  Basics of floatation/propulsion/streamlining skills are improved upon. 

Competition in our in house Time Trials “Orange & Black” is encouraged but not mandatory.  Orange & Black TT are held once per Cycle.

Swimmers will learn the basics of all 4 Swimming strokes right from the start:

  • Freestyle
  • Backstroke
  • Breaststroke
  • Butterfly

Focus for this level is learning the basics of floatation and body position.  Propulsion with the legs ie "kick" is also a major component of this level of Swimming.  The basics of each stroke’s turns along with the standing dive are developed.

 

FUNdamentals Stage 2

Prerequisite: swim 25m Freestyle, 25m Backstroke, familiarity of Breaststroke, Butterfly.

This program is the third step in the development of a young swimmer; typically 7 – 8yrs of age.  Skills from the previous levels are developed further.  Swimmers will learn how to more efficiently connect the arms & legs to form the 4 Swimming strokes: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly. 

Focus for this level is mastering the basics of floatation, body position, and propulsion with the legs ie "kick" is also a major component of this level of Swimming.  The rules for each of the Strokes in the Sport of Swimming are also expanded upon along with the of each stroke’s specific turns.

Competition in our in house Time Trials “Orange & Black” is encouraged but not mandatory.  Orange & Black TT are held once per Cycle.

 

FUNdamentals Stage 3

Prerequisite: swim 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 25m Breaststroke, and 25m Butterfly.

This program is the fourth step in the development of a young swimmer; typically 7 – 9yrs of age.  Full strokes of Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle are developed, along with turns, underwaters, finishes, dive starts and back starts.   Swimmers will also expand on their Mental Skills learned in Stage 2: counting in 25m increments, counting repetitions per set, using the pace clock starting with 25s on 1:00, then repetitions on :50, so on so forth.  Practices will typically exceed 500m within a session.

The rules for each of the Strokes in the Sport of Swimming are reinforced and swimmers will work to expand their endurance.  Competition in our in house Time Trials “Orange & Black” is encouraged but not mandatory.  Orange & Black TT are held once per Cycle.

 

Duncan Swim Team's Competitive Programs

The Stingrays' Competitive programs are geared towards our youth and are based upon the Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) strategy created by Swimming/Natation Canada.  All Stingrays staff are trained and certified with the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and are members of the Canadian Swim Coaches Association (CSCA)

 

The Stingrays' competitive swim groups include:

Entrance into each of the above levels of the Duncan Swim Team require specific knowledge and skills so all placements are assigned by the Stingrays Staff in combination with the Swimmer's proven commitment.  Skills for each level is specific, but not limited to each swimmer's physical, mental, technical, tactical, strategic, social, and emotional development.  Swimmers must also work well in a group environment in consideration of their teammates.

 

COSTS:

  1. Annual:
    • $103.50 SwimBC Competitive 8yrs&U Insurance "FUNdamental"
    • $123.50 SwimBC Competitive 9/10yrs Insurance "Skills"
    • $165.50 SwimBC Competitive 11-14yrs Insurance "Development"
    • $207.50 SwimBC Competitive 15yrs&O Insurance "Open"
  2. Annual:
    • $50 DST Account Activation Fee
  3. Annual: Family Participation Points (FPP) 
    FPPs are calculated at the highest commitment of a single swimmer from your household.  Each additional swimmer = $100 per regardless of their Group.
    FPPs are credited when volunteering at a single Stingrays session throughout the Stingrays 23/24 season
    • $300 = 3 sessions D Group
    • $400 = 4 sessions C Group
    • $500 = 5 sessions B Group
    • $600 = 6 sessions A Group
       
  4. Annual: Swimming Dues
    • Annual Dues can be paid in monthly installments with the season running mid sept to mid July.  Monthly dues are invoiced for 15th of each month, payable prior to the month start
    • Annual Dues per group will be updated - please check back for updates.  
      ​​​​​​​posted 04aug2023

The Stingrays' Fit 4 Life programs are based upon the Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) strategy created by Swimming/Natation Canada.  All Stingrays staff are trained and certified with the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and are members of the Canadian Swimming Coaches Association (CSCA).

 

Our Fit 4 Life program is primarily Non Competitive and typically includes:

  • SwimActive: Age Group to 17yrs
  • Masters: adult age 18yrs minimum
  • Solo Stingrays: private sessions for all ages
  • Special Programs:
    • Pacheedaht First Nation
    • Special Olympics: Duncan, BC
    • BCSSA crossover: Cowichan Valley Breakers

The main goal of this program is to provide the opportunity for all who want to swim ie "a lane for all".

 


Fit 4 Life Program

Program Coordinator: Olivia Charles olivia@duncanstingrays.com

NCCP AAD phase: Fit for Life

Weekly Program commitment: 1 – 3 water sessions

 

SwimActive – age group, non competitive

Prerequisite: complete the Stingrays’ FUNdamentals Swim School program; complete all 3 Stages.  For those who are new to the Stingrays and want to join the SwimActive program, they must display skills and appropriate knowledge of each stroke (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly), ability to work well in group settings, respect the training environment.  Our aim is to assist Swimmers to their own Aquatic goals; Swimmers must be prepared to learn competition swim skills and swim more than 800m within each session.

Created specifically for swimmers who have completed their Stingrays FUNdamentals Swim School education and skills.  This group is considered a non competitive group with an eye towards fitness as the focus.  Competition is still an option as swimmers will be trained to the rules according to Competitive Swimming

BCSSA members please note: This group also allows for BCSSA  members to maintain their Summer Swimmer status with each practice being 1hr water time.  BC Summer Swimming mandates any Winter Maintenance programs to be maximum 2hrs of instruction per week, please plan your membership commitment accordingly. 

 


 

Masters – adult, fitness & competitive

Prerequisite:.  18yrs of age minimum, ability to swim a minimum of 500m (20lengths) unassisted - it need not be continuous but please note that this is not a Learn to Swim program.  If this is beyond your ability, we encourage you to explore our Solo Stingrays option.

The Duncan Swim Team is excited to expand the Stingrays Masters program that is geared towards lifelong fitness for adults 18yrs and older.  Our group is built up of recreational swimmers looking to improve their speed and technique.  We also have focused Triathletes and the conventional Competitive Masters Swimmers.  Swimmers will have the opportunity of learning skills related to all 4 swimming strokes: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly.  The group cycles through and completes short, mid, and longer distances.  We also work to incorporate each Swimmers’ goals – bring your ideas forth and all will benefit!  Competition will be introduced this season for all interested members.

New this season: the Stingrays Masters program is excited to support the competitive experience for our Masters!  Interested in competing?  Please be sure to let your Lead Coach olivia@duncanstingrays.com

 


 

Solo Stingrays:

Looking for some one on one private sessions with a Stingrays Coach? 

This aspect of our programming is available for any interested swimmer, young and not-so young.  Costs and scheduling are dependent upon each Staff's personal rate and availability.  Maximum 2 swimmers per session is considered provided they are of similar skill level.

Interested in more information?  Please contact our Solo Stingrays Lead Olivia