The squad provides opportunities for young swimmers aged 8 years and above to develop skills
and talents to ensure that they have every opportunity to succeed in swimming.

Admission Procedure
To ensure parity across the squad swimmers are asked to complete the tasks outlined below. They should be able to perform these tasks according to the set criteria.

Technique and skills:

• Four competitive strokes, as defined by ASA laws; basic knowledge of the competitive skills of starts, turning and finishing

Continuous Swimming:
Holding stroke pattern with even space and relevant skills:

• 400m freestyle (with full aquatic breathing)
• 200m backstroke (with good timing and rhythm)
• 200m breaststroke (with a simultaneous whip action leg kick and a circular arm action that does not go past the shoulder line)
• 50m butterfly (with arms clearing the water, and a good understanding of the undulating
  nature of the stroke)
• 100m individual medley

Interval Training:
Holding stroke pattern with relevant skills:

• 4 x 100m freestyle, with 20 seconds rest
• 4 x 50m backstroke, with 15 seconds rest
• 4 x 50m breaststroke, with 15 seconds rest
• 4 x 25m butterfly, with 20 seconds rest

Basic Speed:
Fastest possible pace:

• 4 x 25m as 12½m fast, 12½m steady on 2.00, holding technique and stroke quality

Sculling:
Showing good sculling technique

• Knowledge of 5 different sculling positions (e.g. head and feet first on front and back)

Training Competencies:

• Lane swimming discipline; order; direction; overtaking
• Use of pace clock for starting; resting; timing single swims
• Use of equipment; goggles; floats; flags
• Maintenance of technique; smooth and controlled stroke
• Awareness of effort; steady pace; acceleration; fast finish