The Program
Our program is designed for athletes to advance within a structured, progressive system. Athletes don’t just learn how to legally perform the four competitive strokes- they build a deep understanding of how and why each movement works. Through a combination of primary skill work and secondary drill progressions, swimmers refine the finer details of stroke technique, from body position and timing to efficiency and power. As they advance, athletes also learn essential training habits, including how to apply appropriate effort, understand practice objectives, and take ownership of their own careers. Beyond technique, our swimmers are taught how to train with purpose and race with confidence developing the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed to succeed in and out of the water.
Training Groups
Our training groups are designed to meet athletes where they are in their development and guide them through a clear, purposeful progression. Each group has specific goals and expectations that align with an athlete’s age, experience, and commitment level, ensuring that every swimmer is both challenged and supported.
As athletes move through the program, the focus evolves from building fundamental skills and water confidence, to refining technique, increasing training capacity, and developing race strategies. This structured pathway allows swimmers to grow at an appropriate pace while gaining the physical, technical, and mental tools needed for long-term success.
Training groups also help foster a strong team environment, where athletes learn accountability, discipline, and how to contribute to a positive and motivated training culture.
Senior 1 is the Sharks' highest training group. Athletes have at least Senior Sectionals qualifying time standards and have goals of national level meets and college swimming. They are expected to maintain at least 90% attendance of offered practices, including participation in additional dryland workouts. On average, Senior 1 swims about 7,500 yards/practice and practice up to 8 times/week training all energy systems.
Senior 2 is the Sharks' second highest training group. Athletes have at least the 13/14 State qualifying time standards and have goals of sectional level swimming. They are expected to maintain at least 80% attendance of offered practices including participation in additional dryland workouts. On average, Senior 2 swims about 6,000 yards/practice and practice up to 6 times/week training all energy systems.
Senior 3 is open to all 13+ athletes who meet the Sharks' minimum qualifications for senior group placement with no minimum attendance requirement. With athletes ranging from being new to year-round swimming to having Senior Sectionals qualifying times, Senior 3 offers a flexible option for those with other commitments beyond the pool. On average, they swim about 5,000 yards/practice and practice up to 5 times/week training all energy systems.
Age Group 1 athletes are starting to master the finer points of drills and are beginning to understand the kind of sustained effort required for training middle zones. On average, Age Group 1 swims 3,000-4,000 yards/practice, including kick, drill, and swim of all four strokes, and practice up to 5 times/week.
Age Group 2 athletes are starting to learn the finer points through use of secondary drills and are beginning to be able to maintain strokes through longer swims and aerobic sets. On average, Age Group 2 swims about 3000 yards/practice, including kick, drill, and swim of all four strokes, and practice up to 4 times/week.
Age Group 3 athletes are learning basic drills and mastering the legality of all four strokes including their turns. On average, Age Group 3 swims about 1,500-2,000 yards/practice including kick, drill, and swim of all four strokes, and practice up to four times/week.
Required Equipment
Team suits, bags, and parkas are available to purchase through Augusta Swim Supply.
Username- NCST
Password- 1234
Required equipment is linked directly to Swim Outlet for purchasing.
Senior Athletes:
Dryland
Dryland training is an integral part of an athlete's development, and we're excited to announce our recent partnership with Palmetto Performance House, Charleston's premier youth training facility, to further elevate this aspect of our program. In collaboration with our coaching staff, their team of expert trainers has developed a plan tailored to the needs of our program and will be on-site at both facilities twice per week, working directly with our athletes.
Specifically designed with swimmers in mind, this dryland program focuses on building total athleticism through targeted work in strength, agility, coordination, and mobility. Each session is purposefully structured to develop a strong, balanced foundation that enhances performance while reducing injury risk- helping swimmers train and compete safely, consistently, and with long-term success.
FAQs
We do tryouts at the end of the summer for the upcoming short course yards season which lasts from August through March. New swimmers interested in joining are recommended to have some kind of previous swim team experience.
We take transfer athletes throughout the year on a case-by-case basis. Submit a message if interested.