Practice Schedule
NWC Dolphins – 2026 Swim Season Practice Information
Season Start
The 2026 NWC Dolphins swim season begins Monday, May 4th with evening practices Monday–Thursday until school is out on May 21st.
Beginning May 25th, practices will transition to morning practices for the remainder of the season.
This season we are restructuring practice groups to make them safer, more competitive, and allow swimmers more time in the water.
SAFETY FIRST REQUIREMENTS
For the safety of all swimmers, each swimmer must be able to:
• Back float unassisted for 30 seconds
• Tread water
• Enter and exit the deep end independently
Evening Practice Schedule
May 4 – May 21 (Monday, Wednesday, Thurday)
| Group | Time |
|---|---|
| Calves | 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Flippers | 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM |
| Surge | 6:45 PM – 7:30 PM |
| Elite | 7:30 PM – 8:15 PM |
Morning Practice Schedule
Beginning May 25 (Monday – Thursday)
All swimmers will be finished and out of the pool by 11:30 AM.
| Group | Time |
|---|---|
| Elite | 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM |
| Surge | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM |
| Flippers | 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM |
| Calves | 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM |
Calves
Swimmers can swim the length of the pool independently but are still building endurance and stroke technique.
Focus areas include:
• Freestyle and backstroke fundamentals
• Introduction to breaststroke and butterfly
• Water safety and endurance
• Preparing swimmers for swim meets and racing
Flippers
Swimmers can swim 25 yards of freestyle and backstroke comfortably and are developing other strokes.
Focus areas include:
• Stroke refinement
• Breaststroke and butterfly development
• Starts, turns, and racing fundamentals
• Building endurance
Surge
Swimmers should be able to swim multiple lengths continuously and have familiarity with all four strokes.
Focus areas include:
• Stroke efficiency and speed
• Race pacing and endurance
• Starts, turns, and finishes
• Individual Medley development
Elite
This group is for experienced swimmers, including middle school, high school, and club swimmers who want a more advanced training environment.
Swimmers should be able to swim all four strokes proficiently and maintain strong endurance.
Focus areas include:
• Advanced stroke refinement
• Flip turns and competitive turns
• Starts, race strategy, and pacing
• High-endurance training and speed work
Swimmers should be prepared to swim multiple laps continuously and maintain a strong training pace.
Swimmer Placement
If you are unsure which practice group your swimmer belongs in, don’t worry! We will conduct placement reviews during the first week of practice to ensure each swimmer is training in the group that best matches their skill level.
Please have your swimmer attend the practice time that you feel best fits their current ability. Coaches will observe swimmers during the first week and make adjustments as needed to ensure each swimmer is placed in the most appropriate group for their safety, development, and success.
Our goal is to create balanced practice groups where every swimmer can improve, stay safe, and have a great season.
Safety & Coach Discretion
Swimmer safety is our top priority. If at any time a swimmer does not demonstrate the skills necessary to safely participate in practice, the coaching staff may reassess the swimmer’s placement and, if necessary, revoke team participation.
This policy helps ensure that practices remain safe, structured, and productive for all swimmers.
