BRC Club Handbook
Section 9
Bakersfield Race Club uses an ocean-depth progression-based practice group structure designed to help swimmers develop safely, confidently, and competitively over time. Each group has a specific purpose in the athlete development pathway, beginning with stroke instruction and water confidence and progressing toward advanced training, championship preparation, and long-term athlete growth.
Group placement is determined by the coaching staff based on age, skill level, stroke proficiency, maturity, attendance, training capacity, meet participation, coachability, attitude, and safety. Placement is not based on age or best times alone.
| Group | Typical Age | Schedule | Focus | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tidepool | Under 10 | Mon, Wed, Fri — 5:00–6:00 PM | Stroke fundamentals, kicking, water confidence | $100 |
| Reef | Ages 7–10 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri — 5:00–6:15 PM | Stroke development, starts, turns, aerobic training | $120 |
| Current | Ages 9–12 | Mon–Fri — 5:00–6:30 PM | Technical proficiency, aerobic development, full-event readiness | $140 |
| Breaker (Varsity) | Ages 13+ | Mon–Fri — 6:00–7:30 PM | High school off-season training, stroke improvement, fitness | $140 |
| Deep Water (Pre-Elite) | Advanced age-group | Mon–Fri 5:00–7:00 PM • Sat 7:00–9:00 AM | Advanced training, JO goals, progression toward Sectional cuts | $185 |
| Abyss (Elite) | Ages 13+ | Mon–Fri 5:00–7:00 PM • Tue/Thu 5:30–7:00 AM • Sat 7:00–9:00 AM | High-level training, regional and national competition, year-round commitment | $200 |
Tidepool is the club's introduction to competitive swimming. Swimmers are taught proper technique across all four competitive strokes while building comfort, confidence, and enjoyment in the water. At this stage, meets are completely optional. The primary emphasis is learning, kicking, listening, developing practice habits, and having fun. Tidepool primarily includes swimmers under 10, although older swimmers with limited competitive experience may spend time here to learn stroke fundamentals.
Reef Group is for swimmers who have learned the four competitive strokes and are ready to begin learning more advanced competitive skills — starts, turns, underwater kicking, streamlines, and basic race preparation. Swimmers will begin learning the pace clock and be introduced to basic aerobic training. Swimmers are encouraged to attend A/B/C meets on the team schedule and should attend Junior Olympics if they qualify.
Current Group is for swimmers proficient in all four strokes and ready for a more structured training environment. The focus is continued technical development, aerobic training, kick development, and learning to compete in all strokes. Meet participation is highly encouraged; swimmers in this group should compete in A/B/C meets and work toward qualifying for Junior Olympics.
Breaker Group is for swimmers ages 13 and older who are primarily focused on high school swimming. This group is designed to support swimmers during the high school off-season by improving stroke technique, general fitness, and work capacity. Breaker is a strong fit for swimmers who want to stay connected to competitive swimming without the full year-round commitment expected of the Elite group.
Deep Water Group is for swimmers ready to take the next step in training. Swimmers should attend practice regularly, compete consistently, and begin identifying their strongest strokes and primary events. At this stage, swimmers should understand that improvement may not happen at every meet — training is designed around longer-term progress across a full season. Swimmers should be focused on qualifying for Junior Olympics while working toward Sectional cuts.
Abyss Group is for swimmers who are highly committed to the sport and ready for the training, attendance, accountability, and competitive expectations required to excel. Practices are designed around preparing athletes for their primary events and long-term competitive goals. Swimmers in Abyss are expected to compete at the regional and national level and strive toward standards such as Far Westerns, Senior Zones, Sectionals, Junior Nationals, and beyond. Year-round commitment is required.
Movement between groups is determined by the coaching staff. A swimmer may be ready to move when they consistently demonstrate the physical, technical, mental, attendance, and maturity standards for the next group. Group movement may be based on:
Group movement is not based only on age or best times. Final decisions rest with the coaching staff.
In some cases, a swimmer may be invited to train temporarily with a higher group on a trial basis. This allows the coaching staff to evaluate whether the swimmer is ready for the increased training load, expectations, and maturity level of the next group. A trial placement does not guarantee a permanent move. After the trial period, the coaching staff may approve the move, extend the trial, or return the swimmer to the previous group.
Placement in the Abyss Group is a separate process from regular group movement and requires approval from the Abyss Group Coach. Because this group carries the highest training, attendance, competition, and year-round commitment expectations in the club, swimmers will not be moved into Abyss Group based on age, talent, or time standards alone.
Before a swimmer is placed in the Abyss Group, the swimmer will meet with the Abyss Group Coach to discuss their goals, training habits, meet commitment, attitude, and readiness for the expectations of the group. Parents will also participate in a separate conversation with the coach to review the commitment required, including practice attendance, meet participation, high school season expectations, communication standards, travel expectations, and the role families play in supporting the swimmer's development.
The purpose of this process is to make sure the swimmer, parents, and coach all understand and agree to the expectations before the swimmer enters the group. Abyss Group placement is not simply a promotion; it is a commitment to a higher level of training, accountability, and long-term development.
Final placement in Abyss Group rests with the Abyss Group Coach and club leadership. The club may deny, delay, or revoke Abyss placement if the swimmer or family is not ready or able to meet the expectations of the group.
Consistent attendance is essential for swimmer development, group safety, and team progress. Swimmers are expected to attend practice regularly and notify their coach of extended absences. Chronic attendance concerns may affect meet entries, relay eligibility, group placement, advancement to higher groups, and continued participation in advanced groups.
Meet participation expectations increase as swimmers progress through the group structure. In Group 1, meets are optional. In Groups 2 and 3, swimmers are encouraged to attend appropriate developmental meets. In Pre-Elite and Elite, regular meet participation is expected and is part of the swimmer's training and development plan.
Parents and swimmers may ask questions about group placement, development goals, or what a swimmer needs to improve before moving groups. These conversations should happen respectfully and at an appropriate time, not during practice or while coaches are actively supervising athletes. The coaching staff is responsible for group placement decisions and will make those decisions based on what is best for the swimmer, the group, and the overall team environment.