Performance / Elite Level (Ongoing Standard)

What you’ll work towards

• Swimmers at this level work to an eight-week program training and aim to peak at selected competitions throughout the year.
• Goal setting is formalised into a process that includes the coach and parents.
• Swimmers start to compete at continental and world meets.
• Introduce nutritional and drug education.
• Demonstrate consistent stroke efficiency, legal starts and turns, effective underwater phases and strong technique at race pace, including under fatigue.
• Regularly track personal bests, race splits, stroke rate, stroke count and other relevant performance indicators to assess progress.
• Develop race strategies, pacing, race execution and event-specific skills, including competition warm-ups and recovery between races.
• Incorporate appropriate recovery, mobility, sleep and injury-prevention practices alongside pool and gym training.
• Swimmers take increasing responsibility for preparation, training targets, performance reviews and their own development.
• Analyse performances after selected competitions, identify areas for improvement and use the findings to guide areas of focus.
• Demonstrate leadership and contribute positively to the development of younger teammates.

Training commitment

Attend nine to eleven sessions a week, depending on age, requiring at least three morning sessions and gym sessions. Sessions last between 90 and 120 minutes in duration, depending on age and the intensity of a workout.

Finding the right group

Program information is a guide. Speak to the club about suitability; coaches will advise on placement following a conversation or assessment.