Northampton Area Swimming
Spring/Summer 2010

Our season begins Monday, March 29, 2010 and ends 1st week of August (TBA)

(Fees do not include US registration fee of $60 for all swimmers)
Northampton Area Swimming is a competitive swim team for swimmers ages 6 through High School and beyond. The emphasis for swimmers at team practice and swim meets is always improving and acheiving personal bests, being a great team member, showing sportsmanship and team spirit. Winning events can be fun, but it is not how winners are defined on our team. Swimmers who improve valuable life skills, focus, practice habits, self-esteem, or attitude, in and out of the pool are winners and help define NAS as a winning team.

Junior Team and 8 & Unders

for younger swimmers and swimmers with limited knowledge and skills in competitive swimming. Prerequisites include the ability to swim 2 consecutive lengths of the pool (one free, one back) and a minimum age of 6. Swimmers in this group will learn the four competitive strokes with proper starts and turns, as well as drills and skills to help develop good swimming technique. Swimmers at this level are expected to compete at the appropriate meets hosted by our team, and other meets as ready. Practice is offered 2-3 times per week (1 hour each) – see schedule, mostly MWF 6:30-7:30 pm; attendance is strongly encouraged. $200.

Junior Plus

for the Junior/8 & Under swimmers who have more experience in competitive swimming or are older and are ready for additional practice time (competitive strokes are good/legal and swimmers will benefit from some endurance training). Extra ½ hour swim time mostly MWF 7:30-8:00 pm. $220.

Age-Group Team

for swimmers with experience swimming all four competitive strokes, as well as legal IMs, turns, and starts. Generally, swimmers in this group are aged 9-12 (younger swimmers with 10 & Under Age-group cut times may swim in this group). Some less experienced teens may also swim with this group. Swimmers need to be able to swim 200 yards continuously and must have the ability to read and follow a pace clock. Training will include endurance building, developing efficiency, gaining speed, and competitive techniques. Swimmers at this level are expected to participate in the appropriate meets hosted by our team and any Championship meet for which they have qualified. Practice is offered up to 5 times per week (1.5 hours each), mostly M,W,F 6:30-8:00 pm, Tu,Th 7:00-8:30 pm; attendance at a minimum of 3 per week is strongly encouraged. $250

Senior Team

for swimmers (mostly 13+ or any with Open/13 & Over cut times), knowledgeable, experienced, and proficient in training and competition and dedicated to the sport. Training includes intense swimming, distance and sprint work, numerous drills to improve efficiency, more advanced competitive techniques, and development of pace strategies. Swimmers at this level are expected to participate in the appropriate meets hosted by our team and any Championship meet for which they have qualified. Practice is offered up to 5 times per week (1.5 – 2 hours each), mostly MWF 6:30-8:30 pm and T/Th 7-8:30 pm attendance at a minimum of 4 per week is strongly encouraged. $270.

US/NE Swimming

All swimmers registered for Northampton Area Swimming will also be US Registered. Swimmers and families choose most meets and events for US meets (meet entry fees are your responsibility). Fee of $60.00 includes subscription to Splash (US Swim Magazine).

Swim Meets

All swimmers and families are expected to participate in the meets hosted by our team (set-up &/or take down and work at sessions) and make donations for the food table for each meet; Age Group and Senior Swimmers are expected to participate in any Championship meets for which qualified. All other meets offered are optional, but meets are recommended to give swimmers and coaches more skill focus at practice sessions. Swimmers are expected to have meet attire, including a team cap (if a cap is worn) for all meets. NAS-hosted Meets for spring season 2010: Friday 5/14 pentathlon at JFK and Baystate Games at Smith College in June (for ages 10+).

Practice Info

All swimmers are expected to be on time for practice and prepared with caps (a must for longer hair) and/or goggles. Other equipment is recommended, including fins and pull-buoys. Parents are not allowed on deck during practice for all groups.

Practice Schedule

No Wednesday practice until April 21, 2010. Practices for Age Group and Senior: M, Tu, Th, F until week of 4/19, then M-F. Practices for Juniors: Monday and Friday until week of 4/19, then MWF weekly. Additional schedule information updated regularly at http://www.naswim.org/calendar.htm.

For more information, please read the Team Handbook or email Sherry at sherbw@comcast.net


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