Most swimmers join TSW Dolphins while they are still part of the learn-to-swim program in either Whales or Bronze groups.   Their training sessions are booked through the TSW Swim School program.   In addition to the regular swimming schedule, special skills sessions are offered throughout the year, with a focus on strokes, starts or turns.

Coach Timon Wilkinson leads the Whales/Bronze squad, and silver squad. .  

Silver Squad is aimed for swimmers who compete at Wellington swim champs and aim for National Championships (Junior and Age Group Div 1 & Div 2)

To move from the Whales/Bronze squad to the Silver Squad swimmers must  be actively racing for TSW Dolphins and meet the following guidelines.

• 10-12yr olds must be qualified for Junior Nationals

• 12yr olds + must be qualified for Wellington Champs

• Be attending a minimum of 3 bronze sessions per week

• Complete test set below making all intervals

• 4 x 200 Freestyle on 4 mins
• 5 x 100IM on 2.20
• kick (best) 200m under 5 mins

• Demonstrate

• 100% race legal starts & turns

• mixed interval & gap differential cloak usage

• pace control as determined by your coach

• a disciplined and motivated approach to swim training

Gold squad is aimed for swimmers who compete in National Age Groups

(Division 1) and Youth Championships.

To move from the Silver Squad to Gold Squad swimmers must be actively racing for TSW Dolphins and meet the following guidelines.

• 12yrs +

• NZ Age (Div 1) qualified in 2 events in 2 strokes

• Be attending a minimum of 5 silver sessions per week

• Be suitable for the squad in regard to training consistency

• Complete test set below making all intervals

 

•  5 x 200 Freestyle on 3.10

•  6 x 100IM on 1.45

•  200 kick under 4.15

Platinum squad is aimed for swimmers who are, or potentially are, finalists in the National Age (Div 1) or Youth and Open Championships.

To move from the Gold Squad to Platinum Squad swimmers must be actively racing for TSW Dolphins with swimming as their #1 sport and meet the following guidelines.

• 14yrs +

• NZ Age (Div 1) or Youth/Open qualified

• Train the full program 

• Be suitable for the squad in regard to training consistency

• Complete test set below making all intervals

 

•  5 x 200 Freestyle on 2.45

•  8 x 100IM on 1.35

•  200 kick under 3.50

The Platinum squad is announced at the start of each season.  Swimmers will move in and out of the Platinum squad on a seasonal basis dependant upon meeting the squad criteria.