The London Group

Minimum Age:  6

Purpose:  “Learn to Learn” - The London Group is the entry level into our competitive swim team. In London Group, swimmers will work to hone the skills they’ve already developed in Freestyle, Backstroke and Breaststroke, focusing their efforts on the foundational skills of each. Additionally, swimmers will begin to learn butterfly so they are ready for the higher levels of the team and have the necessary skill set for competitions.

Focuses: Learn the fundamentals of swimming; Prepare for novice and USA swim meets.

The Rio Group

Minimum Age:  7

Purpose:  “Learn to Love” - Our aim in the Rio Group is to teach young athletes who are entering the sport of competitive swimming a solid set of fundamental skills while they fall in love with being in the water. HRZN athletes are introduced to our core values while they explore how accountability, discipline and unity can help them develop a long-term relationship with the sport. Swimmers in the Rio Group are introduced to competition when the time is right. Many will be asked to start with Novice level competitions before entering into USA swim meets.

Focuses:  Foundational skills of swimming; Learning to love the sport.

The Athens Group

Minimum Age:  9

Purpose:  “Learn to Train” - In the Athens Group, swimmers will build upon their fundamental skills and work toward cementing those skills in basic “sets” and workouts. This will teach the swimmers to forge good habits under duress which will help them learn how to perform at swim meets. Athens Group swimmers are expected to compete at every opportunity and are offered swim meets both locally and regionally through USA Swimming. We teach the athletes at this level about the importance of competing as a tool for learning as well as a test of skill and strength.

Focuses:  Foundational skills of swimming; Athletic and character development; Competition.

The Junior Select Group

Minimum Age:  10

Purpose:  “Hone Your Training” - The Junior Select Group acts as a bridge between the Age Group and Senior programs. Swimmers in Junior Select Group  will focus on continuing to develop their speed and conditioning, but maintain a clear focus on skill acquisition and technical improvement. Swimmers in the Junior Select Group will be encouraged, but not required, to attend all local USA Swimming competitions as part of their overall athlete development. 

Focuses:  Foundational skills of swimming; Athletic and character development; Competition.

The Senior Prep Group

Minimum Age:  12

Purpose:  “Train to Compete” - Swimmers in the Senior Prep Group will continue their skill development and habit building for the purpose of growing as a competitor. They will begin to learn and build race strategies, utilizing the conditioning and skill work they’ve gained from consistent training. Swimmers in Senior Prep Group are expected to be at every meet and serve as positive role models for the younger swimmers on the team. As swimmers grow older on the team, they play a much more important role in helping to shape the quality of our overall culture.

Focuses:  Dynamic, intensity-based training; Competitive Development; Becoming Role Models.

The Senior Group

Minimum Age:  13

Purpose:  “Train to Excel” - After academics, swimming is expected to be the top priority of our Senior Group athletes. Swimmers are expected to swim at every workout and attend every competition, where they will develop their skills and conditioning into high performance results. Swimmers will use the personal life skills they develop through the discipline of their swimming to help influence every aspect of their lives as they move toward becoming young adults.

Focuses:  Mastery of racing skills and strategy; Championship level swimming; Performance prep.

GROUP PLACEMENT AND SWIMMER MOVE-UPS

It is important to remember that as a competitive swim team, it is in our best interest that your child is as successful as they can be. There are many factors that go into placement of swimmers, but the number one consideration is simple: Where will each child, as an individual, find the most growth and success?

Which group a swimmer is placed in is in the hands of the coaches, and the coaches only. We ask that you do not email the staff about if or when your child can/will move to the next group. Please trust that we have the best interest of your child in mind and that we want to see them succeed at Horizon Swimming. 

The Horizon coaching staff reserves the right to waive the requirements of any and all groups in order ensure that an athlete is placed in a situation that is best for their development.