Competitive
National Group
- Registration Requirements
- 7 times per week
-
438.00 / month
- Starting: September 15, 2026
- Ending: August 31, 2027
- Pre-Register
Competitive : National Group
Program Descriptions & benchmark expectations
The Duncan Swim Team subscribes to the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and its Appropriate Athlete Development (AAD) model for long term development in sport and physical activity, in its entirety.
All DST Staff are trained and certified through the NCCP, are members of the Canadian Swim Coaches Association (CSCA), and meet the Swimming Canada / Swim BC coach registration requirements; including but not limited to: NCCP Making Ethical Decisions, Coaches Association of Canada’s Safe Sport Training, and Respect in Sport Coach Program, registered annually.
Stingrays’ National Group --> National Development Program
formerly known as “Autonomy Group” aka “A Group”
Program Coordinator: Leanne Wilkinson (Sirup) leanne@duncanstingrays.com
NCCP AAD phase: Train to Compete & Train to Win
Weekly Program commitment: 7 – 9 water sessions, 2 Strength & Conditioning sessions
Annual Season: 22sept2025 – 15july2026
w/ Cycles 28sept – 04jan, 05jan – 29mar, 30mar – 15july
“National Group”: Our Team's most dedicated and skilled athletes working towards performing on the National level. The goal of the National Group is to develop dedicated athletes further to be successful at national-level competitions and prepare them for the Open / Senior category of racing. Athletes in this group will be involved in the decision making process for parts of their training and competition preparation and held accountable for those decisions.
The National Development level of our program is for motivated and dedicated nationally qualified (or on track) swimmers. The focus of this group is to develop the athlete’s ability and skills to qualify and compete as a Finalist at the National level with the potential to reach the International level. Swimmers will have multiple competitive opportunities throughout the season, highlighted by a minimum of two National Championships competitions. Exceptional work ethic and positivity is a daily requirement to succeed at this level.
Prerequisite: Swimmers who have satisfied the National Group Prerequisites as well as:
- Committed to supporting an atmosphere of leadership, positivity, sportsmanship, professionalism, personal accountability, and self starting qualities
- Interview with the Head Coach prior to acceptance into the program
- The Head Coach reserves the right to accept swimmers into the National program that satisfy some but not all of the above criteria
Training & Performance Requirements:
- 20 x 100 Freestyle 1:30 holding 1:25 or better
- 10 x 100 IM 1:40 holding 1:35 or better
- 400 Flutter Kick <7:00
- Racing: 800 Freestyle <10:00 & 400 IM <5:50
- Swimmer is expected to race all 16 events every Cycle
Attendance Requirement:
85% attendance is necessary in this group for swimmer to progress.
--> Attendance for the session includes completing 100% of the training session.
--> Failure to meet these group requirements will result in a re-evaluation of the Swimmer’s position in the program by the Lead Coach and the Head Coach. Evaluations are made on a monthly basis.
Swimmers are expected to attend all Provincial Championship meets and any National competitions they qualify in. Workouts and schedules will be flexible and appropriate for the age and ability level of the athlete. Additional sessions may be added by a per member basis.
Physical Literacy / Strength & Conditioning
Swimmers’ education for their dryland training is a must. To ensure safety and maximize teaching & learning opportunities for the Team as a whole, we are encouraging Swimmers to commit and engage in their dryland training as much as their water training. The DST Physical Literacy & “Foundations” program is a mandatory pre requisite to the DST Strength & Conditioning (S&C) program led by DST Staff member Jacob Hamilton. Entrance into the S&C program is by invite only.
Swimmers must earn their invite to a higher level dryland training program based upon their desire to learn and coachability. Safety is our first priority! Swimmers will be continually assessed during their Physical Literacy & Foundations training and when ready, will be encouraged to expand their opportunities for S&C training to a maximum of 2 sessions per week.
Equipment required for National Group:
- Team Gear: DST top, DST Cap
- Training Gear: Skipping rope, Kickboard, Equipment Bag, Pull buoy, Snorkel, Paddles, Fins
National Group: Entry --> Full Program --> Transition
This level is for swimmers ages 13yrs (female) / 14yrs (male) & Older who enjoy swimming and are keen to become even stronger students of the Sport of Swimming. Per the Athlete’s dedication, Swimmers will see an individualizing of their personal program(s).
In line with Swimming / Natation Canada & the National Coaching Certification Program’s Appropriate Athlete Development model, athletes will work on all four competitive strokes and all race distances; exploring the technical adjustments necessary for each race, the advanced skills of starts and turns, and enhance their expertise to strategically race per event. This group aims to graduate to the Swimming / Natation Canada Championship level of racing. There may be a possibility of one off-Island travel opportunity during each Cycle.
Competition is a major focus for swimmers of this level. Swimmers are striving to perform (and medal!) at the National levels with an eye towards competing on the International level.
The Duncan Swim Team has a rich history which includes the amalgamation of the Duncan Swim Team Society and the Cowichan Stse’elhtun Swim Club Society in 2007.
The Cowichan Stse’elhtun Swim Club was a swimming program created by our Team’s Head Coach Leanne Wilkinson (Sirup) in partnership with Cowichan Tribes in 2004. “Stse’elhtun” is a Hul’q’umi’num’ word meaning Salmon. Pronunciation: Stuh / ehl / tuhn
The Stingrays honor our Team’s history with custom artwork created for the Stse’elhtun
by local Salish Artist Qwiyahwult-hw (Stuart Pagaduan) of Cowichan Tribes.
A group
- Registration Requirements
- 5 times per week
-
374.00 / month
- Starting: September 15, 2026
- Ending: July 14, 2027
- Pre-Register
Competitive : A group
Program Descriptions & benchmark expectations
The Duncan Swim Team subscribes to the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and its Appropriate Athlete Development (AAD) model for long term development in sport and physical activity, in its entirety.
All DST Staff are trained and certified through the NCCP, are members of the Canadian Swim Coaches Association (CSCA), and meet the Swimming Canada / Swim BC coach registration requirements; including but not limited to: NCCP Making Ethical Decisions, Coaches Association of Canada’s Safe Sport Training, and Respect in Sport Coach Program, registered annually.
Stingrays’ “A Group” --> Provincial Development Program
formerly known as “(I) Believe Group” aka “B Group”
Program Coordinator: Leanne Wilkinson (Sirup) leanne@duncanstingrays.com
NCCP AAD phase: Train to Train & Train to Compete
Weekly Program commitment: 5 – 7 water sessions
1 Physical Literacy + 1 Strength & Conditioning (by invite) sessions
Annual Season: 28sept2026 – 16july2027
w/ Cycles 28sept – 03jan, 04jan – 28mar, 30mar – 16july
“A Group”: This program is for the Swim BC Divisional & Provincial swimmers working to develop and maintain the ability to perform at their highest level and achieve Swim BC Provincial / SNC National Time Standards. The group’s focus is to continue physiological and technical training with exposure to multiple levels of competitions. There will be many competitive opportunities throughout the season, highlighted by at least two provincial level competitions each year. In addition, swim-up options with the National group will be available to highly devoted and high-performing athletes. Swimmers in this group may move into the National program should they meet the requirements.
Prerequisite: Swimmers who have proven the ability to race 400 IM, 800 Freestyle. Swimmers are also expected to actively and positively participate in the learning process of bettering themselves, both in and out of the training environment.
Training & Performance Requirements:
- Turn-focused 100m Freestyle. Must complete 100m with flip turns, unbroken streamline to the surface with minimum 3 dolphin kicks to the surface, head down on breakout, steady kick throughout, bilateral breathing, know their stroke count (SC), even split, and get their time for the 100 (both 50&100).
- Training Guidelines:
- 16 x 100 Freestyle 1:45 holding 1:40 or better
- 8 x 100 IM 1:50 holding 1:40 or better
- 200 Flutter Kick <4:00
- Competition Guidelines:
- Swimmer is expected to race all 16 events every season, in both the SC and LC seasons to ensure their Personal Bests (PBs) are updated, at minimum, annually
- In addition to the above guidelines, DST Staff have the final decision on each individual placement, ie “coaches’ discretion”
Attendance Requirement:
80% attendance is required in this group for swimmer to progress.
--> Attendance for the session includes completing 100% of the training session.
--> Failure to meet these group requirements will result in a re-evaluation of the Swimmer’s position in the program by the Lead Coach and the Head Coach. Evaluations are made on a monthly basis.
Physical Literacy / Strength & Conditioning
Swimmers’ education for their dryland training is a must. To ensure safety and maximize teaching & learning opportunities for the Team as a whole, we encourage Swimmers to commit and engage in their dryland training as much as their water training. Attendance to the DST Physical Literacy program is a mandatory pre requisite to the DST Strength & Conditioning (S&C) program led by DST Staff member Jacob Hamilton. Entrance into the S&C program is by invite only by the S&C Coach + the Lead Coach.
Swimmers must earn their invite to a attend the S&C dryland training program based upon their desire to learn and coachability. Safety is our first priority! Swimmers will be continually assessed during their Physical Literacy training and when ready, will be encouraged to expand their opportunities for S&C training.
Equipment required for A Group:
- Team Gear: DST top, DST Cap
- Training Gear: Skipping rope, Kickboard, Equipment Bag, Pull buoy, Snorkel, Paddles, Fins
- *All Swimmers will have 1 mo to secure their own equipment. Inaction will result in DST automatically providing this equipment and invoicing the family the appropriate amount(s)
A Group - Entry Level
This level is for swimmers ages 11yrs (female) / 12yrs (male) & Older who enjoy swimming and are interested in dedicating themselves more towards their chosen sport. Athletes will work on all four competitive stroke fundamentals, the advanced skills of starts and turns, and their ability to strategically race more extended events. This group aims to graduate to the Swim BC Championships level of racing. There may be a possibility of one off-Island travel opportunity during each Cycle and one out of Province competition annually.
A Group – Full Program
This level is for athletes ages 11yrs (female) / 12yrs (male) & Older who are keen to dedicate more to their Competitive Swimming experience and wish to continue with the Stingrays’ long-term development plan. The primary focus of this group is the technical improvement of all strokes and distances, turns, and starts. The secondary focus of the group is learning the tactics of each stroke and their corresponding race distances. Athletes will be challenged across the 3 energy systems to enhance their performances at strategic points throughout the season.
Athletes will have the opportunity to race every 4 – 6wks with the expectation of racing at least at least 3 x per Cycle. Swimmers who achieve the Qualification Times (QTs) for invitational or provincial level championships meets will be encouraged to attend. Travel meets may require a parent or guardian to join their swimmer.
A Group – Transition to National Group
In cooperation with both the A Group & National Group Program Coordinator(s), the Swimmer will be invited to attend a National Group session in lieu of their typical A Group session. Families can expect the invite being sent when the DST Staff have determined swimmer readiness within the physical, technical, mental, emotional, and social expectations of the next level. DST Staff endeavor to create a positive experience and so appropriate timing within the season to commence the swimmer visitations is also a consideration.
Swimmers may move fully to their next group upon invite or commence ‘visits’. Typically, swimmers may take up to a month to become familiar and confident with their next level.
To note: full entrance into National Group requires a Swimmer:Coach interview.
The Duncan Swim Team has a rich history which includes the amalgamation of the Duncan Swim Team Society and the Cowichan Stse’elhtun Swim Club Society in 2007.
The Cowichan Stse’elhtun Swim Club was a swimming program created by our Team’s Head Coach Leanne Wilkinson (Sirup) in partnership with Cowichan Tribes in 2004. “Stse’elhtun” is a Hul’q’umi’num’ word meaning Salmon. Pronunciation: Stuh / ehl / tuhn
The Stingrays honor our Team’s history with custom artwork created for the Stse’elhtun
by local Salish Artist Qwiyahwult-hw (Stuart Pagaduan) of Cowichan Tribes.
B group
- Registration Requirements
- 5 times per week
-
309.00 / month
- Starting: September 15, 2026
- Ending: July 14, 2027
- Pre-Register
Competitive : B group
Program Descriptions & benchmark expectations
The Duncan Swim Team subscribes to the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and its Appropriate Athlete Development (AAD) model for long term development in sport and physical activity, in its entirety.
All DST Staff are trained and certified through the NCCP, are members of the Canadian Swim Coaches Association (CSCA), and meet the Swimming Canada / Swim BC coach registration requirements; including but not limited to: NCCP Making Ethical Decisions, Coaches Association of Canada’s Safe Sport Training, and Respect in Sport Coach Program, registered annually.
Stingrays’ “B Group” --> Divisional Development Program
formerly known as “Challenge Group” aka “C Group”
Program Coordinator: Riley Janes riley@duncanstingrays.com
NCCP AAD phase: Learn to Train & Train to Train
Weekly Program commitment: 4 – 5 water sessions, 1 Physical Literacy session
Annual Season: 28sept2026 – 16july2027
w/ Cycles 28sept – 03jan, 04jan – 28mar, 30mar – 16july
B group is designed for swimmers aged 9–13 who enjoy swimming, have met all program prerequisites, and are interested in the competitive side of the sport. It is ideal for athletes who wish to continue along the Stingrays' long-term athlete development pathway. Swimmers will build strong competitive stroke fundamentals while developing more advanced starts, turns, and the ability to swim longer events. The goal of this group is to prepare athletes to compete at the VIR Championships level. There may also be an opportunity to attend at least one off-Island competition during the season.
The primary focus is technical development across all four strokes, as well as starts, turns, and race skills. Secondary areas of learning include understanding the rules of competitive swimming, basic sports nutrition and developing independence and self-management at practices and competitions. Endurance training is not a primary objective at this stage. Instead, improvements in endurance will occur naturally through consistent skill development and practice. Swimmers will have opportunities to compete every 4–6 weeks and are expected to race at least twice per training cycle (10–14 weeks). Athletes who achieve qualifying times (QTs) for invitational or provincial championship meets will be encouraged to attend. For travel meets, swimmers aged 11 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
When a swimmer is ready, and in collaboration with the B Group and A Group Program Coordinators, they will be invited to attend one designated weekday morning A Group practice each week in addition to all of their regular B Group sessions. Invitations are extended when coaches determine the swimmer is ready physically, technically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and within the group environment. Coaches also consider the timing within the season to ensure a positive transition experience.
Swimmers may either move directly into A Group or begin with a period of "visits" to become familiar with the new training environment. Most swimmers require approximately one month to adjust and build confidence at the next level. If additional transition time is needed beyond one month, visiting privileges will pause until the next training cycle, at the coaches' discretion. Swimmers will have 12 – 15 competitions per year, highlighted by a Regional, Divisional, Provincial, or National Championship.
Prerequisites: Swimmers who have proven the ability to race a 200 IM, 400 Freestyle
Swimmers must demonstrate an ability to contribute to the overall team success through a positive attitude, strong work ethic, sportsmanship, coachability, and commitment to their training and competition.
Training & Performance Requirements: Physical, Mental
-
Turn-focused 100m Freestyle. Must complete 100m with flip turns, unbroken streamline to the surface with 2 (or more) dolphin kicks to the surface, steady kick throughout, with bilateral breathing.
-
Training Guidelines – athlete must understand and perform independently, utilizing their racing skills:
-
1 x 50m of long axis strokes (fr & bk) <1:00, legally
-
1 x 50m of short axis strokes (br & fly) <1:05, legally
-
12 x 50 Freestyle 1:10 interval, 8 x 50 non Freestyle 1:20 interval
-
200m Flutter Kick <5:00
-
Ability to count own repetitions and follow pace clock on intervals 1:20/1:40/:55/:50
-
Competition Guidelines:
-
400m Freestyle <7:00, 200 Individual Medley <4:00
-
Swimmer is expected to race all 4 strokes + distance Freestyle every Cycle
-
Swimmer is expected to race a minimum of 2 home + 2 away competition in SC & LC season
-
In addition to the above guidelines, DST Staff have the final decision on each individual placement, ie “coaches’ discretion”
Equipment required for B Group:
-
Team Gear: DST top, DST Cap
-
Training Gear*: Skipping rope, Personal Kickboard, Fins, Pull Buoy, Snorkel
-
*All Swimmers will have 1 mo to secure their own equipment. Inaction will result in DST automatically providing this equipment and invoicing the family the appropriate amount(s)
Attendance Requirement:
80% attendance is recommended in this group for swimmer to progress.
-
Attendance for the session includes completing 100% of the training session.
-
Failure to meet these group requirements will result in a re-evaluation of the Swimmer’s position in the program by the Lead Coach and the Head Coach. Evaluations are made on a monthly basis.
Physical Literacy / Strength & Conditioning
Swimmers’ education for their dryland training is a must. To ensure safety and maximize teaching & learning opportunities for the Team as a whole, we are encouraging Swimmers to commit and engage in their dryland training as much as their water training. The DST Physical Literacy program is a mandatory pre requisite to the DST Strength & Conditioning program led by DST Staff member Jacob Hamilton.
The Duncan Swim Team has a rich history which includes the amalgamation of the Duncan Swim Team Society and the Cowichan Stse’elhtun Swim Club Society in 2007.
The Cowichan Stse’elhtun Swim Club was a swimming program created by our Team’s Head Coach Leanne Wilkinson (Sirup) in partnership with Cowichan Tribes in 2004. “Stse’elhtun” is a Hul’q’umi’num’ word meaning Salmon. Pronunciation: Stuh / ehl / tuhn
The Stingrays honor our Team’s history with custom artwork created for the Stse’elhtun
by local Salish Artist Qwiyahwult-hw (Stuart Pagaduan) of Cowichan Tribes.
C group
- Registration Requirements
- 3 or 4 times per week
-
252.00 / month (3 days / week)252.00 / month (4 days / week)
- Starting: September 15, 2026
- Ending: July 14, 2027
- Pre-Register
Competitive : C group
Program Descriptions & benchmark expectations
The Duncan Swim Team subscribes to the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and its Appropriate Athlete Development (AAD) model for long term development in sport and physical activity, in its entirety.
All DST Staff are trained and certified through the NCCP, are members of the Canadian Swim Coaches Association (CSCA), and meet the Swimming Canada / Swim BC coach registration requirements; including but not limited to: NCCP Making Ethical Decisions, Coaches Association of Canada’s Safe Sport Training, and Respect in Sport Coach Program, registered annually.
Stingrays’ “C Group” -- Regional Development Program
formerly known as “Development & Diversity” aka “D Group”
Program Coordinator: Sophie Paridaen van Veen sophie@duncanstingrays.com
NCCP AAD phase: FUNdamentals & Learn to Train
Weekly Program commitment: 2 – 4 water sessions
Annual Season: 28sept2026 – 16july2027
w/ Cycles 28sept – 03jan, 04jan – 28mar, 30mar – 16july
“C Group”: the Regional Development Program is designed to introduce young athletes (ages 8 – 12yrs) to the Sport of Swimming. Skill sets begin at fundamental levels, continue upward, and consistently develop skilled and knowledgeable athletes physically, technically, mentally, socially, and emotionally. C Group Swimmers are encouraged to be multi disciplined and multi sport athletes.
Prerequisite: complete the Stingrays’ “D Group” FUNdamentals Swim School program, display skills and appropriate knowledge of each stroke, reflect group skills, and respects the training environment. Ability to swim a recognizable 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 25m Breaststroke, and 25m Butterfly.
Prerequisite: complete the Stingrays’ “D Group” FUNdamentals Swim School program, display skills and appropriate knowledge of each stroke, reflect group skills, and respects the training environment. Technical knowledge + physical ability to perform 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 25m Breaststroke, and 25m Butterfly.
Training & Performance Requirements: Physical, Technical, Mental skills
-
Turn-focused 100m Freestyle: Swimmer must complete 100m with flip turns and bilateral breathing.
-
Training Guidelines – athlete must understand and perform independently:
-
8 x 25 Freestyle :55 interval
-
8 x 25 non Freestyle :60 interval
-
100m Flutter Kick <3:00
-
200 IM ds
-
Competition Guidelines:
-
Swimmer has raced 1 x 50 per stroke in Competition
-
Swimmer has proven abilities for 100m Freestyle and 100 Individual Medley with proper turns
-
Swimmer is expected to race all 4 strokes every Cycle
-
Swimmer is expected to race at a minimum of 2 x home + 2 x away competitions per season
In addition to the above guidelines, DST Staff have the final decision on each individual placement, ie “coaches’ discretion”
Equipment required for C Group:
*All Swimmers will have 1 mo to secure their own equipment. Inaction will result in DST automatically providing this equipment and invoicing the family the appropriate amount(s)
-
Team Gear: DST top, DST Cap
-
Training Gear*:
-
Entry program: Skipping rope, Personal Kickboard, Equipment Bag
-
Full program: Snorkel, Pull Buoy
-
Advanced program: Fins
Attendance Requirement:
80% attendance is recommended in this group for swimmer to progress.
-
Attendance for the session includes completing 100% of the training session. Failure to meet these group requirements will result in a re-evaluation of the Swimmer’s position in the program by the Lead Coach and the Head Coach. Evaluations are made on a monthly basis.
-
Movement from C Group entry à full à transition to B Group is at Coaches’ discretion. Swimmers will have 1 month of ‘visits’ prior to making the complete move. Once this calendar month is complete, the Swimmer will either make the complete move or will lose ‘invite’ privileges until a future date per the Coaches’ discretion.
-
While this program is focused on Swimmers ages 11yrs & Under, Swimmers who age up to 12yrs during their season of participation are welcome to complete the season in C Group, if appropriate. In the following season, those Swimmers will have the option to either A) move to B Group if eligibile, or B) move to Fit4Life.
C Group – Entry Level (2 DAYS)
This program is the continuance of developing the young competitive swimmer with competition being at the (novice) Regional level; typically 8 – 10yrs of age with a maximum age for entry being 11yrs of age. Swimmers will work to solidify each stroke’s Swimming specific rules as well as refining the 4 Swimming strokes and expand their endurance with an eye towards improving their Swimming for competition. Swimmers at this level are keen on improving their physical and technical skills. Mental skills training is introduced.
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. Participation in competition is encouraged for all participants at least 1 x per Cycle (3 mo period). Competitions will be held on Vancouver Island and at a 4 – 6wk interval. Swimmers who achieve any Time Standards for Invitationals, Championships, etc will be invited to attend. Parent volunteer as an Official is expected at all DST hosted competitions.
C Group – Full program (3 DAYS)
This program is the focus of the “C Group” program where the swimmers attend their 3 water sessions per week. Athletes will work on competitive stroke fundamentals, the advanced basics of starts and turns, and their ability to swim more extended events. This group also aims to earn their invite to the Vancouver Island Regional (VIR) Championships. Competitions are held all over Vancouver Island and are typically 4 – 6wks apart. Parent volunteer as an Official is expected at all DST hosted competitions.
C Group – Transition to B Group (4 DAYS)
This program is the pathway for the skilled swimmers showing interest and enthusiasm of being competitive with their peers within the Vancouver Island Region (VIR); typically 9 – 11yrs of age. The primary focus of this group is the technical improvement in all strokes, distances, turns, and starts. The secondary focus of the group is learning the Sport of Swimming, including the rules, nutrition, and self management at practices and Meets. Endurance training is not the primary focus of this group. Any “endurance” improvements will happen as a natural product of learning and rehearsing.
In cooperation with both the C Group & B Group Program Coordinators, the Swimmer will be invited to attend a B Group session in lieu of their typical C Group session per week to a maximum of 1 calendar month. Families can expect the invite being sent when the DST Staff have determined swimmer readiness within the physical, technical, mental, emotional, and social expectations of the next level. DST Staff endeavor to create a positive experience for all members and so appropriate timing within the season to commence the swimmer visitations is also a consideration.
The Duncan Swim Team has a rich history which includes the amalgamation of the Duncan Swim Team Society and the Cowichan Stse’elhtun Swim Club Society in 2007.
The Cowichan Stse’elhtun Swim Club was a swimming program created by our Team’s Head Coach Leanne Wilkinson (Sirup) in partnership with Cowichan Tribes in 2004. “Stse’elhtun” is a Hul’q’umi’num’ word meaning Salmon. Pronunciation: Stuh / ehl / tuhn
The Stingrays honor our Team’s history with custom artwork created for the Stse’elhtun
by local Salish Artist Qwiyahwult-hw (Stuart Pagaduan) of Cowichan Tribes.
C Group: entry level
- Registration Requirements
- 2 times per week
-
183.00 / month (2 days / week)
- Starting: September 15, 2026
- Ending: August 31, 2027
- Pre-Register
Competitive : C Group: entry level
Program Descriptions & benchmark expectations
The Duncan Swim Team subscribes to the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and its Appropriate Athlete Development (AAD) model for long term development in sport and physical activity, in its entirety.
All DST Staff are trained and certified through the NCCP, are members of the Canadian Swim Coaches Association (CSCA), and meet the Swimming Canada / Swim BC coach registration requirements; including but not limited to: NCCP Making Ethical Decisions, Coaches Association of Canada’s Safe Sport Training, and Respect in Sport Coach Program, registered annually.
Stingrays’ “C Group” --> Regional Development Program
formerly known as “Development & Diversity” aka “D Group”
Program Coordinator: Sophie Paridaen van Veen sophie@duncanstingrays.com
NCCP AAD phase: FUNdamentals & Learn to Train
Weekly Program commitment: 2 – 4 water sessions
Annual Season: 28sept2026 – 16july2027
w/ Cycles 28sept – 03jan, 04jan – 28mar, 30mar – 16july
“C Group”: the Regional Development Program is designed to introduce young athletes (ages 8 – 12yrs) to the Sport of Swimming. Skill sets begin at fundamental levels, continue upward, and consistently develop skilled and knowledgeable athletes physically, technically, mentally, socially, and emotionally. C Group Swimmers are encouraged to be multi disciplined and multi sport athletes.
Prerequisite: complete the Stingrays’ “D Group” FUNdamentals Swim School program, display skills and appropriate knowledge of each stroke, reflect group skills, and respects the training environment. Ability to swim a recognizable 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 25m Breaststroke, and 25m Butterfly.
Prerequisite: complete the Stingrays’ “D Group” FUNdamentals Swim School program, display skills and appropriate knowledge of each stroke, reflect group skills, and respects the training environment. Technical knowledge + physical ability to perform 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 25m Breaststroke, and 25m Butterfly.
Training & Performance Requirements: Physical, Technical, Mental skills
-
Turn-focused 100m Freestyle: Swimmer must complete 100m with flip turns and bilateral breathing.
-
Training Guidelines – athlete must understand and perform independently:
-
8 x 25 Freestyle :55 interval
-
8 x 25 non Freestyle :60 interval
-
100m Flutter Kick <3:00
-
200 IM ds
-
Competition Guidelines:
-
Swimmer has raced 1 x 50 per stroke in Competition
-
Swimmer has proven abilities for 100m Freestyle and 100 Individual Medley with proper turns
-
Swimmer is expected to race all 4 strokes every Cycle
-
Swimmer is expected to race at a minimum of 2 x home + 2 x away competitions per season
In addition to the above guidelines, DST Staff have the final decision on each individual placement, ie “coaches’ discretion”
Equipment required for C Group:
*All Swimmers will have 1 mo to secure their own equipment. Inaction will result in DST automatically providing this equipment and invoicing the family the appropriate amount(s)
-
Team Gear: DST top, DST Cap
-
Training Gear*:
-
Entry program: Skipping rope, Personal Kickboard, Equipment Bag
-
Full program: Snorkel, Pull Buoy
-
Advanced program: Fins
Attendance Requirement:
80% attendance is recommended in this group for swimmer to progress.
-
Attendance for the session includes completing 100% of the training session. Failure to meet these group requirements will result in a re-evaluation of the Swimmer’s position in the program by the Lead Coach and the Head Coach. Evaluations are made on a monthly basis.
-
Movement from C Group entry à full à transition to B Group is at Coaches’ discretion. Swimmers will have 1 month of ‘visits’ prior to making the complete move. Once this calendar month is complete, the Swimmer will either make the complete move or will lose ‘invite’ privileges until a future date per the Coaches’ discretion.
-
While this program is focused on Swimmers ages 11yrs & Under, Swimmers who age up to 12yrs during their season of participation are welcome to complete the season in C Group, if appropriate. In the following season, those Swimmers will have the option to either A) move to B Group if eligibile, or B) move to Fit4Life.
C Group – Entry Level (2 DAYS)
This program is the continuance of developing the young competitive swimmer with competition being at the (novice) Regional level; typically 8 – 10yrs of age with a maximum age for entry being 11yrs of age. Swimmers will work to solidify each stroke’s Swimming specific rules as well as refining the 4 Swimming strokes and expand their endurance with an eye towards improving their Swimming for competition. Swimmers at this level are keen on improving their physical and technical skills. Mental skills training is introduced.
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. Participation in competition is encouraged for all participants at least 1 x per Cycle (3 mo period). Competitions will be held on Vancouver Island and at a 4 – 6wk interval. Swimmers who achieve any Time Standards for Invitationals, Championships, etc will be invited to attend. Parent volunteer as an Official is expected at all DST hosted competitions.
C Group – Full program (3 DAYS)
This program is the focus of the “C Group” program where the swimmers attend their 3 water sessions per week. Athletes will work on competitive stroke fundamentals, the advanced basics of starts and turns, and their ability to swim more extended events. This group also aims to earn their invite to the Vancouver Island Regional (VIR) Championships. Competitions are held all over Vancouver Island and are typically 4 – 6wks apart. Parent volunteer as an Official is expected at all DST hosted competitions.
C Group – Transition to B Group (4 DAYS)
This program is the pathway for the skilled swimmers showing interest and enthusiasm of being competitive with their peers within the Vancouver Island Region (VIR); typically 9 – 11yrs of age. The primary focus of this group is the technical improvement in all strokes, distances, turns, and starts. The secondary focus of the group is learning the Sport of Swimming, including the rules, nutrition, and self management at practices and Meets. Endurance training is not the primary focus of this group. Any “endurance” improvements will happen as a natural product of learning and rehearsing.
In cooperation with both the C Group & B Group Program Coordinators, the Swimmer will be invited to attend a B Group session in lieu of their typical C Group session per week to a maximum of 1 calendar month. Families can expect the invite being sent when the DST Staff have determined swimmer readiness within the physical, technical, mental, emotional, and social expectations of the next level. DST Staff endeavor to create a positive experience for all members and so appropriate timing within the season to commence the swimmer visitations is also a consideration.
The Duncan Swim Team has a rich history which includes the amalgamation of the Duncan Swim Team Society and the Cowichan Stse’elhtun Swim Club Society in 2007.
The Cowichan Stse’elhtun Swim Club was a swimming program created by our Team’s Head Coach Leanne Wilkinson (Sirup) in partnership with Cowichan Tribes in 2004. “Stse’elhtun” is a Hul’q’umi’num’ word meaning Salmon. Pronunciation: Stuh / ehl / tuhn
The Stingrays honor our Team’s history with custom artwork created for the Stse’elhtun
by local Salish Artist Qwiyahwult-hw (Stuart Pagaduan) of Cowichan Tribes.