Competitive Swimming

Registration information for the 2022-2023 season is now available.

The Baylor Swim Club offers the finest year-round USA Swimming age group and senior swimming programs in the Greater Chattanooga area. We have created a program that caters to swimmers of all ages and abilities. In addition to ensuring proper technique and conditioning, our program’s emphasis on the development of self-esteem, sportsmanship, and teamwork prepares the swimmer for success in both sport and life.

The Baylor Swim Club is open to all residents of Chattanooga and surrounding areas.  The Baylor Swim Club offers a practice group for swimmers of all ages and ability levels. Swimmers are placed in groups by the coaching staff after a stroke technique assessment session.

New Swimmer Evaluation Placement & Registration

Baylor Swim Club is open to all residents of the Greater Chattanooga area.  All new swimmers joining the club after August 31st who have no previous competitive swimming experience must be evaluated.  Swimmers will be evaluated based on skill level, stroke development, and age.  Please fill out the form below to secure your space in the evaluation placement. 

If you have any further questions please email Laura Pitman or call the Baylor Swimming office at 423-267-8506 x267.

Please note- The minimum requirement to enter the developmental program, a swimmer must be able to swim 25 yards of freestyle with rhythmic breathing and 25 yards of backstroke.  If you feel like your child cannot perform the skills please see information about our Swimming Lessons Program.

 

Practice Groups

The Baylor Swim Club is open to all residents of Chattanooga and surrounding areas.

The Baylor Swim Club offers a practice group for swimmers of all ages and ability levels. Swimmers are placed in groups by the coaching staff after a stroke technique assessment session.

Please email if you are interested in participating in an evaluation group placement.

About Our Group Levels

Our program group levels offer competitive swimming to all ages and skill levels, from the age of 5 to 19.  The Group Levels are a step by step progression through the program.  It begins with the Developmental program and ends with the Senior group.  Moving swimmers up through the levels is the sole responsibility of the coaching staff.  We are very proud to have experienced coaches running each group. Click here for Coach’s Bios.

Developmental Program

Our developmental program is the beginning level of our program.  This is the level in which we hope to create a lifelong love of the sport of swimming.  The swimmers in this group are exposed to the four competitive strokes and learning proper technique.  They are also introduced to USA Swim meets.  Within the developmental program, there are three groups – red, white, and grey.  Entrance Criteria:  To enter the developmental program, a swimmer must be able to swim 25 yards of freestyle with rhythmic breathing and 25 yards of backstroke.  Swimming lessons are available for swimmers not able to meet these criteria.

Red

This is the introductory group in our swim program.  It is designed for the new or younger swimmers entering the swim team arena.  This group focuses on stroke development and starts. This group will participate in small developmental meets that are hosted at the Baylor School Natatorium throughout the year.

White

In the white group, swimmers will continue to work on stroke technique and proper starts.  This level adds the turns used in competitive swimming including the free and backstroke turns.  Some aerobic training is begun as the season progresses.  This group is encouraged to participate in club meets that are hosted at the Baylor School Natatorium throughout the year.

Grey

The grey group is the top developmental group.  Start, turn, and stroke techniques are still emphasized.  Aerobic training is increased along with the teaching of racing strategies.  This group prepares the swimmer for entry into the age group program.

 

Age Group

At this time swimmers are introduced to the basic training environment. The focus is on technique while introducing race strategy and basic interval training. The continuing improvement on stroke technique starts, and turns are a focus every single day in practice. Dryland includes basic calisthenics and flexibility. Swimmers are encouraged to attend 3-4 practices a week.

Entrance Criteria:  

  1. Must attend practice a minimum of 2-3 times per week, understanding that the AG swimmer may still be participating in other sports;
  2. Can swim a legal 100 IM, and all four strokes legally;
  3. Successfully swim a set 500-800 yards in length holding proper streamlines, stroke technique, and breathing patterns (Kick Set Minimum:  8×50 Free kick on 1:30;  Swim Set Minimum: AG -8 x 100 Free @1:50-2:20, 100IM and 200 Free should be staple events to train)

Juniors

This is the final step your child will take in Age group swimming. Swimmers will need to focus on conditioning and training consistently. At this level, the refining technique is the number one priority while endurance training is introduced into the program. Dryland training consists of flexibility exercises and calisthenics. Classroom seminars on stroke technique are offered. This higher level of training prepares Junior swimmers for the transition to the Senior program. Swimmers in this group are must attend a minimum of 4-5 practices each week.

Entrance Criteria:

  1. Must attend practice a minimum of 4-5 times per week, understanding that a Junior swimmer may still be participating in other sports;
  2. ”BB” 11-14 swimmer or close (can make within the season)
  3. Must swim year-round September – July
  4. Can train on slowest intervals listed for Junior group; (Kick Set Minimum:  5×100 Free kick @ 2:10; 8×50 Free kick on 1:10;  Swim Set Minimum: 7×100 Free @ 1:40-1:50;  7×100 IM @ 1:40-2:00.

Senior

This group is made up of high school students, grades 9-12 that do not attend the Baylor School.  They focus on training for the highest level of United States Swimming competition. Skill development, speed and endurance training, as well as strength training through dry land exercises, are all a part of the practice plan for this group.  Swimmers in this group must attend a minimum of 4-5 practices each week. Nine Practices a week are offered.

Entrance Criteria:

  1. Has achieved a 14-year-old “A” time in at least two different strokes;
  2. Has the ability to swim 5 x 200 free on 2:40 (on 2:50 meters);
  3. Has the ability to kick 10 x 100 free kick on 2:00- short course; 3) Has the ability to swim 5 x 200 IM on 4:00- short course.

Upper School

This group is made up of Baylor School students, grades 9-12. They focus on training for the highest level of United States Swimming competition. Skill development, speed and endurance training, as well as strength training through dry land exercises, are all a part of the practice plan for this group. Nine Practices a week are offered. The coaching staff will communicate to the individual swimmer as to how many practices they should attend, and 100% practice attendance is expected.

 

***Please note:  Developmental-Grey, Age Group, Junior, Senior 2 & Senior/Varsity groups are encouraged to attend ALL competitions on the meet schedule that are offered for their particular group.