Gator Pre-Team 2024
Heritage Greens Gators Swim Team – Pre Team Approach
Background on Pre-Team:
The intention of the Heritage Greens Pre-Team is for swimmers who would like to participate in swim team but are not quite ready for swimming the pool length in a practice or participating in meets. Generally, these are younger swimmers starting at age 4. Coaches are very hands on in the water with the kids to encourage their swimming while maintaining safety. In this fun and safe setting, Pre-Team swimmers will be working towards completing a full 25 meter swim without stopping or assistance and competing in their first meet during the summer season. Once a swimmer is able to complete a 25 meter swim without stopping or assistance they will have the option to move to the regular 6 & Under Gator Swim Team. We will be hosting a fun filled "Mini-Meet" in July that is just for Pre-Team participants. The meet is very casual, with coaches in the water with swimmers and the assistance of kick boards if needed.
Pre-Team members will experience all of the team aspects of being a Gator. They are invited to participate in all of the social activities for the team and are encouraged to attend meets to cheer for the Team.
Pre-Team swimmers are registered as part of the team through the standard registration process. Parents of Pre-Team swimmers will still have a volunteer commitment to the team. Parents or caregivers of the pre-team swimmer must remain on the pool deck during practice. Pre-Team swimmers are not required to purchase a team suit, but can do so if they choose. They are also welcome to show their team support with Gator Gear.
Please see the HG Gators website for practice times. While practice will be offered 5 days a week, we understand that not every child will practice every day. We would like the swimmers to participate a few days a week at a minimum so that they feel a part of the team and are comfortable with the practices. Pre-Team will have dedicated coaches who lead their practices.
Primary Goal: We want to ensure your child is safe in the water and Pre-Team is the beginning of a life-long love of swimming.
In order to help you assess your child's readiness for Pre-Team use the following skills as a guideline:
1. Swimmer has had swim lessons prior to Pre-Team.
2. Swimmer can enter and exit the pool on their own.
3. Swimmer can front or back float for 15 seconds.
4. Swimmer can hold on to the side of the pool for 2 minutes.
5. Swimmer can retrieve objects waist deep.
6. Swimmers must swim 5 strokes of freestyle or back without stopping & assistance
7. Swimmer will be safe in the water without an adult within reach.
8. Swimmer can listen and follow coach’s direction without consistent redirection;
9. Swimmer is excited and willing to be a part of Pre-Team and will attend practice without incident on the majority of days.
The program is not intended to be a substitute for basic swim lessons.
If you have any questions or are wondering whether Pre-Team is right for your child, please contact The Parent Reps at [email protected]