Swim Groups

NOVA of Virginia Aquatics offers training and practice groups for swimmers of all ages and ability levels. It is the goal of  NOVA is to offer age specific training for all of our athletes that is geared towards challenging and developing each individual to the best of THEIR abilities.

Please call us at (804) 750-1183 to schedule an evaluation by one of our coaches to ensure your child is placed in the proper group, or click here to send us an email request for more information.

Ages in these groups generally range from 6 to 10 years. Swimmers practice 2-3 days per week. It is recommended that swimmers maintain a schedule that keeps them within the same practice days and times.

Novice Bronze - Novice Bronze is both our most basic stroke clinic and the most advanced level of our SwimNOVA lessons program. A coach's recommendation is necessary for this group and spaces could be limited. Coaches focus on 25/50 yard distance in practice with a strong emphasis on correct stroke technique and basic NOVA drills. The minimum skill ability includes one length (25 yards) freestyle with rotary breathing, and two lengths backstroke. Swimmers lacking these skills should begin with SwimNOVA lessons. As swimmers progress, they may participate in swim meets. Novice Bronze is a bridge between SwimNOVA lessons and the NOVA team.

Novice Silver - This group places a heavy emphasis on stroke technique, turns, starts, (as well as some fun) and serves as an introduction to competitive swimming.  The teaching process in Novice Silver is deliberate, placing a heavy emphasis on the development of listening skills.  The basic skills required for entering this group are a strong backstroke, freestyle with bi-lateral breathing, basic competency in breaststroke, and an ability to perform butterfly kick.  Swimmers are placed into Novice Silver based on an evaluation by a member of the coaching staff.  As the season progresses, approximately 25-50% of the swimmers in Novice Silver will advance on to the Novice Gold group.

Novice Gold - Novice Gold covers starts, turns, and stroke drills and technique more rapidly and in greater detail than Novice Silver. The coaching staff makes every effort to teach with energy and enthusiasm, with entertainment an important by-product of this process. New swimmers are placed in this group after careful evaluation by the coaching staff. Swimmers must demonstrate proficiency in the free, back and back-breast turns and in each of the individual strokes. Novice Gold seeks to channel capable swimmers into the Age Group Development program. During a swimming year, nearly one third to half of the Novice Gold Group generally joins the Age Group Development program, thus moving into our 11 month program.

AGE GROUP DEVELOPMENT SILVER (AGDS):

AGDS continues to build on the stroke and technique work of the NOVA Novice groups, as well as introduce training and racing skills to the swimmers.  The main goal of AGDS is to develop a love for the sport of swimming by teaching new skills, giving swimmers new challenges, and helping them to enjoy racing. Ages in this group range from 8 to 10 years.

Swimmers in AGDS must:

- Be proficient in 4 strokes and turns
- Commit to a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 3 practices a week
- Attend meets whenever possible

Age Group Development Gold (AGDG)

- Must commit to a min. of 3 and a max. of 4 practices a week
- Must have at least 8-10 10 & under “BB” times, or 2 “A” times in more than one stroke. Having "BB" times in the 200 IM & 200 free is a good gauge for this group.
- Attendance of meets throughout the season is a priority

Age Group Prep (formerly Age group Bronze)- This group is designed as a bridge from Age Group Development Silver & Novice Gold groups to our Age Group program and is mainly for the 11-12 year old B/C swimmer or first year 12 & young 13 yr old.  This group will  continue to build on the techniques and skills taught in the Novice and Age Group Development Groups, as well as introducing training and racing skills to the swimmers. The main goal of Age Group Prep is to develop a love for the sport of swimming by teaching new skills, giving swimmers new challenges, and helping them to enjoy racing. Swimmers may practice from 2 to 4 times per week.

Age Group Silver- This group is designed primarily as a building block into the 11-12 competitive age group level.  This group serves a wide range of ability levels, but most specifically those swimmers who have proven to be ready for more training oriented practices. Most swimmers in this group are at the BB and B level.

Our Senior Development Group Programs are structured to produce outstanding swimmers and leaders through intensified training and competition. This category features two levels - Senior Development Silver and Gold. Ages generally range from 13-16 years old.

Our Senior program is structured to produce outstanding swimmers and leaders through intensified training and competition at the national and world levels. Senior Group swimmers by definition comprise the most dedicated and skilled swimmers on our club. They are an elite training group. As an elite group, senior swimmers will maintain a rigorous training schedule. This schedule will allow them to reach new physiological and psychological levels that will become a departure point for the thin air of success. Only those swimmers willing to embrace the following practice standards should register for the Senior group. This is a commitment not a convenience. The following standard applies throughout the year, fall through summer. Participation in a full meet schedule is required

Senior Gold- Commitment of 8 water and 1 dryland practice per week. The coaching staff is aware that some training weeks may present unforeseen attendance difficulties.  Make-up practices may be  available through the Senior Development groups with permission or can be available during the Saturday or Sunday NOVAFit hours. No coach will be available during these Saturday or Sunday make-up sessions, but a practice may be obtained with reasonable, prior notification. Our purpose is to develop a cohesive training group that will allow dedicated swimmers to reach National and International prominence.

Senior Silver- Defined by the same elite standards as the Senior Gold group. This group will require a slightly lesser commitment, but will be expected to maintain the group standards to remain in the group. All swimmers in Senior Silver should be preparing themselves for Senior Gold or college level swimming. The standards of commitment and competition will apply throughout the year.