MINI GATORS & SWIM LESSONS

Mini-gators is a pre-team program which is intended to introduce our youngest swimmers to our summer team.  The purpose of Mini-Gators is to teach your child proper freestyle and backstroke with a start, and to build the strength and endurance to swim the length of the pool by the end of the short summer season. Mini-Gators who are ready can have the opportunity to swim one lap of freestyle in the last home meet. If your child is able and it is determined by the coach's assessment, they may be invited to swim in more meets as part of our 8 and under group.   

Mini-Gators practices are typically held in two sessions from 10:15-10:50 and 10:55-11:30.  Swimmers will be assigned to one of these two groups based on their skill level individually, and relative to other swimmers enrolled. Practices will be Monday-Thursday (4 days a week). Practices will begin in early June and last 5 weeks. Coaches will use the first 5-10 minutes to get the kids warmed up and give some dryland instruction (maybe some running around down in the playground area to get warm on chilly days) and then they will spend roughly 25-30 minutes in the water. Each swimmer must be at least 5 years old (unless otherwise arranged and space allows) and must be able to swim two-thirds the length of the pool without walking on the bottom or grabbing the lane lines. Coaches will assess and group swimmers accordingly. The Mini-Gators will be limited to 20 swimmers per session due to time/space/staff constraints.  

Mini-Gator Assessment Dates and Registration will be shared as we get closer to Season opening. These assessments only take a few minutes so you can stop by anytime during that time frame. You must attend one of these assessment days. If you are unable to attend please make arrangements for your child to be assessed by a coach at another time. The Mini's season typically ends in early July, when they have the opportunity to swim 1-lap freestyle at our last home meet.

Have questions? For specific swim team or lesson-related questions, please email our Swim and Dive Team Board Director, Amy Brown @ ahstclub.swimdive@gmail.com. Please note that our Board of Directors work volunteer hours (along with juggling day jobs and families) and we appreciate your patience for any delayed responses!