SEASON

The ORCA's Summer Long Course season begins May 10th, 2010 and runs through the end of July.
The summer (indoor) session will begin on May 10th and continue to June 25th.
The summer (outdoor) session will follow, June 28th to the end of July.

There will be dry-land practice during the summer season. Swimmers will participate in dual meets for the Connecticut Summer League as well as be given opportunity to swim in the USA sanctioned meets 

PRE-ORCA

The pre-ORCA group is a level designed for the younger swimmer who has progressed through the Italian Center’s instruction program and learned the four basic strokes. The emphasis is on improving the swimming ability and water sense already developed by the child as well as teaching more advanced skills in the four competitive strokes. Conducted by the swim team coaches, the program is ideal for those swimmers who wish to prepare for team swimming or competition swimming and entry into the Italian Center ORCA Swim Team.

Children must be able to swim 25 yards or one length of the swimming pool at least Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and some Butterfly to enter this program level.

BRONZE

The Bronze group are nine and under swimmers of the ORCA Swim Club. This group will learn the concept of team and be introduced to instruction in concentrated stroke mechanics, competition starts, turns, and swimming efficiency. The instructions are presented in a relaxed yet exciting manner with an emphasis on the fun and rewards of team swimming and competitive swimming. The overall objective of ORCA's BRONZE is to provide individual attention and a positive experience in swimming.

The requirement to participate in this level is to swim 25 yards (1 length of the pool) of four basic strokes and be able to perform a racing dive.

AGE GROUP:   SILVER (novice) and BLUE (Advanced)

The Age Group program level is open primarily to swimmers ages 9 through 13 who have demonstrated to the coaches an enthusiasm toward swimming and who wish to experience the challenge of competitive training and the excitement of participating in swim meets run by CT Summer Swim Leagues, and sanctioned by USA swimming (winter season). Age Group teams involve a yearlong commitment on the part of the swimmer. The program develops team skills and discipline while refining and honing stroke mechanics, racing starts and turns, endurance and swimming efficiency.

Age Group swimmers will be assigned according to age and ability to the proper practice group, either the Silver group of 9 to 11 years old or the more advanced Blue group of 11 to 13 years.

GOLD

Gold Swimmers begin to focus their training on  distance and individual medley swimming. Swimmers receive individual attention on advance stroke mechanics and dry land workouts. Competition philosophy, mental training and nutritional awareness are important subjects stressed with this group. 

This is the elite of training for the ORCA's Swim Club and requires dedication to the sport. The program is a serious regimen that includes stroke mechanics, endurance work, dry land strength and flexibility conditioning, goal setting and an emphasis on team dynamics and mental conditioning. 

SWIM PRACTICE

A schedule of swim practices is distributed at the beginning of the winter, spring, and summer season. Swimmers must be on the pool deck ready to go five minutes before their scheduled practice time. This allows the swimmers time to get pool equipment, ask any questions they may have, perform some stretching, and find their assigned lanes before the warm-up.

The warm-up swim is necessary to prepare their muscles for the practice session. If not adequately prepared, the swimmers may sustain muscle injuries and be unable to increase their speed as properly. Please be prompt! And no swimmers should be in the water before the practice starts!

The practice schedule has been developed to maximize the performance of each swimmer. The number of practice days is geared to the level of the group and swimmers are asked to commit to attending their scheduled sessions. Any reasons for missed practices should be discussed with the coach, preferably in advance.

Parents may drop off their swimmers at practice time and then pick them up at the conclusion of the practice session.

Apparel: Swimsuits worn at practice are the choice of the swimmer; official team suits (and team caps) are required only for swim meets. Female swimmers must wear caps at all time while in the water. Many swimmers find goggles helpful during both practice and meets. Don’t forget to carry back up goggles and a cap. Please, swimmers should wear no jewelry while they are in the pool.