FINS PRACTICE GROUPS
Choose the group you feel your swimmer currently belongs in.
Tiny Turtles
Ages 3 to 6
Very Beginner
Little FINS
Ages 4 to 7
Beginner 1
Seahorses
Ages 5 to 8
Beginner 2
Marlins
Ages 7 to 10
Intermediate
Sharks
Ages 10 to 14 Advanced
Swordfish
Ages 11 to 15 Intermediate
Dolphins
Ages 13 to 18
Advanced
FINS Training Group (FTG)
Ages 9 to 18
Advanced and Training
Tiny Turtles
Ages 3 to 6
Very Beginner
Little FINS
Ages 4 to 8
Very Beginner
Seahorses
Ages 5 to 8
Beginner
Marlins
Ages 7 to 10
Intermediate
Sharks
Ages 10 to 14 Advanced
Swordfish
Ages 11 to 15 Intermediate
Dolphins
Ages 13 to 18
Advanced
FINS Training Group (FTG)
Ages 9 to 18
Advanced
Tiny Turtles - Outdoors ONLY
Ages 3 to 6 - Very Beginner
Primary Focus:
- To further our swimmers’ comfort in and around the water with song, game, and play-based instruction, help develop and strengthen general water safety skills, and introduce foundational skills for freestyle and forward swimming.
Tiny Turtles will typically learn in the shallow end (2-3 ft.) of the pool with 5-10 minutes of most practices in deeper water (4.5+ ft.).
Note: This group is currently offered only at outdoor locations.
Swimmer Requirements
Swimmers entering Tiny Turtles must demonstrate the following skills:
- Be able to enter and exit the water safely using the pool steps or ladder with minimal assistance
- Swimmers must be comfortable participating in the lesson without a parent or caregiver in the water. Parents are welcome to observe from the designated viewing area but should not remain at the pool edge during the lesson.
- Be comfortable standing in shallow water without holding onto an adult (holding onto the wall or pool edge is okay)
- Swimmers should be able to follow simple directions, respond to their name, and participate in a small group setting with coach guidance.
- Be fully toilet-trained
Tiny Turtles swimmers will work towards:
- Becoming comfortable getting their face wet and practicing submerging in the water
- Developing foundational water skills including blowing bubbles, supported floating on the front and back, and kicking
- Learning basic pool safety skills such as entering and exiting the water, holding the wall, and moving along the pool edge
- Building confidence and independence in the water
- Practicing swim skills alongside teammates and becoming comfortable participating in a structured group lesson
Tiny Turtles
Ages 3-6 - OUTDOOR ONLY Very Beginner
Prior to registering, please read through the following registration information:
Step 1: Select your practice group for your first swimmer.
Step 2: Select how many times per week your swimmer will attend and select “Add to Cart”.
Step 3: If you have additional swimmers, repeat steps1 & 2 PRIOR to hitting “Continue”. You may sort through different groups using the “Filter By” option on the left side of your screen. Select “Continue” when all swimmers are added to your cart.
Step 4: Login to your “Active” account. If you do not have an “Active” account, one will be automatically created for you at checkout. “Active” is our registration system and your information will remain fully secure.
Step 5: Complete required fields and don’t forget to select your practice time/s for each swimmer. Only select the number of practices that correspond with the amount of times you have selected for each individual swimmer.
Step 6: Review your order & check out! Pricing is updated and prorated.
Additional Reminders:
* The practice times that you select are your exact times for the season. Please choose carefully.
* Please read our waivers, refund, makeup, and weather policies carefully. No refunds are provided for any registration. No exceptions will be made.
* We encourage families to read through our FAQs page to receive answers to some of our most commonly asked questions.
* All sibling discounts will be computed automatically at checkout.
* Registration includes a FINS t-shirt and swim cap once a year.
*Signup anytime – Pricing is pro-rated & accurate to the day!
Interested in joining our waitlist? Send us an email at fins@finsswimming.com
Little FINS
Ages 4 to 7 - Beginner 1
Primary Focus:
To further our swimmers’ comfort in and around the water, help develop and strengthen general water safety skills, learn the basic elements to a successful freestyle, and introduce foundational skills for backstroke swimming
Little FINS will typically practice:
In a 25 yd/m indoor “main competition pool” at Georgetown Prep (completing half to full lengths)
In the shallow end (2-3 ft.) of the pool with 10-15 minutes in deeper water (4.5+ ft.) at outdoor facilities
Swimmer Requirements
Swimmers entering Little FINS must demonstrate the following skills:
- Comfortably submerge their entire body and blow bubbles with their face fully in the water
- Float unassisted on both back and front
- Demonstrate foundational kicking skills, including the ability to move forward on a kickboard for approximately 15 yd/m without touching the bottom and without assistance
- Kick independently to propel themselves forward in a horizontal body position for approximately 5-10 yd/m
- Comfortable jumping into water where they cannot stand (depth varies by location, including up to 12 ft.) and swimming to the wall or instructor*
*Pool depth and lesson environment may vary by location. At most outdoor facilities, we primarily utilize shallow water where swimmers can stand. At most indoor locations (such as Georgetown Prep), pools have little to no shallow water space. Swimmers in the Little FINS group should be comfortable participating in water deeper than they can stand when accompanied by a coach.
Group Goals
Little FINS swimmers will work towards:
- Becoming comfortable and confident swimming independently for approximately 15-25 yd/m
- Developing the foundational components of freestyle, including horizontal body position, flutter kicking, and introductory rollover breathing
- Learning the introductory components of backstroke, including proper body position and continuous flutter kicking
- Developing basic lane awareness and wall skills, including holding the wall, waiting for their turn, and pushing off safely
- Practicing swim skills alongside teammates and becoming comfortable participating in a structured team practice environment
Little FINS
Ages 4-7
Very Beginner
Prior to registering, please read through the following registration information:
Step 1: Select your practice group for your first swimmer.
Step 2: Select how many times per week your swimmer will attend and select “Add to Cart”.
Step 3: If you have additional swimmers, repeat steps1 & 2 PRIOR to hitting “Continue”. You may sort through different groups using the “Filter By” option on the left side of your screen. Select “Continue” when all swimmers are added to your cart.
Step 4: Login to your “Active” account. If you do not have an “Active” account, one will be automatically created for you at checkout. “Active” is our registration system and your information will remain fully secure.
Step 5: Complete required fields and don’t forget to select your practice time/s for each swimmer. Only select the number of practices that correspond with the amount of times you have selected for each individual swimmer.
Step 6: Review your order & check out! Pricing is updated and prorated.
Additional Reminders:
* The practice times that you select are your exact times for the season. Please choose carefully.
* Please read our waivers, refund, makeup, and weather policies carefully. No refunds are provided for any registration. No exceptions will be made.
* We encourage families to read through our FAQs page to receive answers to some of our most commonly asked questions.
* All sibling discounts will be computed automatically at checkout.
* Registration includes a FINS T-shirt and swim cap one time per year.
*Signup anytime – Pricing is pro-rated & accurate to the day!
Interested in joining our waitlist? Send us an email at fins@finsswimming.com
Seahorses
Ages 5 to 8 - Beginner 2
Primary Focus:
Strengthening of basic components and foundational skills of freestyle and backstroke and an introduction to breaststroke and butterfly strokes
Seahorses will typically practice:
In a 25 yd/m “main competition pool” at Georgetown Prep
In the diving well at Old Farm & Seven Locks
Swimmer Requirements
Swimmers entering Seahorses must demonstrate the following skills:
- Demonstrate comfort in deep water (12+ ft.) without the use of a kickboard, flotation device, or adult assistance
- Hold onto the wall and demonstrate readiness for side breathing, including kicking while turning the head to the side and blowing bubbles
- Swim 25 yd/m across the pool independently using elements of a freestyle stroke (alternating arm movement and flutter kick) without touching the bottom or holding the wall or lane rope
- Kick 25 yd/m on the back independently without a kickboard or adult assistance while maintaining a horizontal body position
Group Goals
Seahorses swimmers will work towards:
- Further developing freestyle swimming by learning side breathing and beginning to coordinate arm strokes with a consistent flutter kick
- Further developing backstroke swimming by learning to coordinate arm strokes with their backstroke kick while maintaining horizontal body position
- Learning the introductory kicking patterns for breaststroke and butterfly, building the foundation for future stroke development
- Beginning to learn technical swimming skills, including streamlines, basic send-offs, and introductory diving
- Becoming familiar with common swimming drills and basic swimming vocabulary used during practice
- Practicing swimming alongside teammates, building comfort and confidence in a structured team practice environment
Seahorses
Ages 5-8
Beginner
Prior to registering, please read through the following registration information:
Step 1: Select your practice group for your first swimmer.
Step 2: Select how many times per week your swimmer will attend and select “Add to Cart”.
Step 3: If you have additional swimmers, repeat steps1 & 2 PRIOR to hitting “Continue”. You may sort through different groups using the “Filter By” option on the left side of your screen. Select “Continue” when all swimmers are added to your cart.
Step 4: Login to your “Active” account. If you do not have an “Active” account, one will be automatically created for you at checkout. “Active” is our registration system and your information will remain fully secure.
Step 5: Complete required fields and don’t forget to select your practice time/s for each swimmer. Only select the number of practices that correspond with the amount of times you have selected for each individual swimmer.
Step 6: Review your order & check out! Pricing is updated and prorated.
Additional Reminders:
* The practice times that you select are your exact times for the season. Please choose carefully.
* Please read our waivers, refund, makeup, and weather policies carefully. No refunds are provided for any registration. No exceptions will be made.
* We encourage families to read through our FAQs page to receive answers to some of our most commonly asked questions.
* All sibling discounts will be computed automatically at checkout.
* Registration includes a FINS T-shirt and swim cap one time per year.
*Signup anytime – Pricing is pro-rated & accurate to the day!
Interested in joining our waitlist? Send us an email at fins@finsswimming.com
Marlins
Ages 7 to 10 - Intermediate
Primary Focus:
Refining freestyle and backstroke, strengthening the basic components of breaststroke and butterfly, and developing technical skills including starts, flipturns, breaststroke pull outs, underwater kick-outs, breakouts, etc.
Marlins will practice:
In a 25 yd/m “main competition pool”
Swimmer Requirements
Swimmers entering Marlins must demonstrate the following skills:
- Swim functional freestyle for 25 yd/m with coordinated flutter kick, arm strokes, and consistent side breathing
- Swim functional backstroke for 25 yd/m with continuous flutter kick, alternating arm strokes, and a horizontal body position
- Demonstrate breaststroke (“frog”) kick and butterfly (“dolphin”) kick with mostly legal movement for 25 yd/m (with or without a kickboard)
- Participate in a structured 45+ minute practice, demonstrating the ability to swim repeated 25-50 yd/m efforts (including a mix of swimming, kicking, and drill work) without touching the bottom
Group Goals
Marlins swimmers will work towards:
- Refining freestyle and backstroke technique, improving body position, kick consistency, and breathing while swimming longer distances
- Developing the foundational components of breaststroke and butterfly, including coordinated kick and arm patterns for each stroke
- Beginning exposure to race pace swimming, learning how to swim faster while maintaining strong technique
- Developing technical racing skills, including starts, flip turns, breaststroke pullouts, underwater dolphin kicking, breakouts, and streamlined push-offs
- Expanding swimming vocabulary and drill knowledge, learning drills that help swimmers understand and improve the individual components of each stroke
- Developing confidence and independence in a team practice environment, including circle swimming, understanding lane etiquette, and following structured sets alongside teammates
Marlins
Ages 7-10
Intermediate & Advanced
Prior to registering, please read through the following registration information:
Step 1: Select your practice group for your first swimmer.
Step 2: Select how many times per week your swimmer will attend and select “Add to Cart”.
Step 3: If you have additional swimmers, repeat steps1 & 2 PRIOR to hitting “Continue”. You may sort through different groups using the “Filter By” option on the left side of your screen. Select “Continue” when all swimmers are added to your cart.
Step 4: Login to your “Active” account. If you do not have an “Active” account, one will be automatically created for you at checkout. “Active” is our registration system and your information will remain fully secure.
Step 5: Complete required fields and don’t forget to select your practice time/s for each swimmer. Only select the number of practices that correspond with the amount of times you have selected for each individual swimmer.
Step 6: Review your order & check out! Pricing is updated and prorated.
Additional Reminders:
* The practice times that you select are your exact times for the season. Please choose carefully.
* Please read our waivers, refund, makeup, and weather policies carefully. No refunds are provided for any registration. No exceptions will be made.
* We encourage families to read through our FAQs page to receive answers to some of our most commonly asked questions.
* All sibling discounts will be computed automatically at checkout.
* Registration includes a FINS T-shirt and swim cap one time per year.
*Signup anytime – Pricing is pro-rated & accurate to the day!
Interested in joining our waitlist? Send us an email at fins@finsswimming.com
Swordfish
Ages 11 to 15 - Intermediate
Primary Focus:
Refining all four strokes and all technical skills including starts, flipturns, breaststroke pull outs, underwater kick-outs, breakouts, etc.
Swordfish will practice:
In a 25 yd/m “main competition pool”
Swimmer Requirements
Swimmers entering Swordfish must demonstrate the following skills:
- Demonstrate a basic ability to swim all four competitive strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly) with emerging legality, including recognizable arm and kicking patterns for each stroke. Strokes may not yet be fully refined, but swimmers should be able to complete each stroke with general coordinations and movement
- Participate in a structured 45+ minute practice, demonstrating the ability to swim repeated 25-50 yd/m efforts without touching the bottom, while using all four strokes throughout practice
- Demonstrate the ability to listen to instructions, follow practice sets, and swim independently within a structured team practice environment
Group Goals
Swordfish swimmers will work towards:
- Refining technique in all four strokes, improving body position, kick timing, and coordination between arm strokes and breathing while swimming longer distance
- Building swimming endurance, learning to complete longer repeat sets and maintain strong technique throughout practice
- Gaining exposure to race pace swimming, developing the ability to swim with increased speed while maintaining efficient stroke mechanics
- Becoming more proficient in technical racing skills, including starts, flip turns, breaststroke pullouts, underwater dolphin kicking, breakouts, and streamlined push-offs
- Expanding swimming vocabulary and drill knowledge, learning drills that help swimmers better understand and improve the individual components of each stroke
Swordfish
Ages 11-15
Intermediate
Prior to registering, please read through the following registration information:
Step 1: Select your practice group for your first swimmer.
Step 2: Select how many times per week your swimmer will attend and select “Add to Cart”.
Step 3: If you have additional swimmers, repeat steps1 & 2 PRIOR to hitting “Continue”. You may sort through different groups using the “Filter By” option on the left side of your screen. Select “Continue” when all swimmers are added to your cart.
Step 4: Login to your “Active” account. If you do not have an “Active” account, one will be automatically created for you at checkout. “Active” is our registration system and your information will remain fully secure.
Step 5: Complete required fields and select your practice time/s for each swimmer. Only select the number of practices that correspond with the amount of times you have selected for each individual swimmer.
Step 6: Review your order & check out! Pricing is updated and prorated.
Additional Reminders:
* The practice times that you select are your exact times for the season. Please choose carefully.
* Please read our waivers, refund, makeup, and weather policies carefully. No refunds are provided for any registration. No exceptions will be made.
* We encourage families to read through our FAQs page to receive answers to some of our most commonly asked questions.
* All sibling discounts will be computed automatically at checkout.
* Registration includes a FINS T-shirt and swim cap one time per year.
*Signup anytime – Pricing is pro-rated & accurate to the day!
Interested in joining our waitlist? Send us an email at fins@finsswimming.com
Sharks
Ages 10 to 14 - Advanced
Primary Focus:
- Perfecting all four strokes and all technical skills including starts, flipturns, breaststroke pull outs, underwater kick-outs, breakouts, etc. and becoming race ready in all four strokes
- Sharks will practice:
- In a 25 yd/m “main competition pool”
Swimmer Requirements
Swimmers entering Sharks & Dolphins must demonstrate the following skills:
- Swim legal freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly for at least 50 yd/m, demonstrating an understanding of proper body position, kicking patterns, and arm coordination for each stroke
- Demonstrate proficiency in technical racing skills, including starts, flip turns, breaststroke pullouts, underwater kickouts, breakouts, and streamlined push-offs
- Successfully participate in a structured 45+ minute practice, swimming repeated lengths and sets
- Demonstrate the ability to swim at different speeds, including controlled swimming and sprinting, while maintaining technique across all four strokes
Group Goals
Sharks & Dolphins swimmers will work towards:
- Refining technique in all four competitive strokes, focusing on body position, timing, efficiency, and consistency over longer distances
- Developing proficiency in advanced swimming drills that isolate and strengthen specific components of each stroke
- Refining technical racing skills, including starts, flip turns, breaststroke pullouts, underwater kickouts, breakouts, and streamlined push-offs
- Building endurance and aerobic capacity through structured swim sets
- Gaining further exposure to race pace swimming, learning how to increase speed while maintaining strong technique
Sharks
Ages 10 to 14
Advanced
Prior to registering, please read through the following registration information:
Step 1: Select your practice group for your first swimmer.
Step 2: Select how many times per week your swimmer will attend and select “Add to Cart”.
Step 3: If you have additional swimmers, repeat steps1 & 2 PRIOR to hitting “Continue”. You may sort through different groups using the “Filter By” option on the left side of your screen. Select “Continue” when all swimmers are added to your cart.
Step 4: Login to your “Active” account. If you do not have an “Active” account, one will be automatically created for you at checkout. “Active” is our registration system and your information will remain fully secure.
Step 5: Complete required fields and don’t forget to select your practice time/s for each swimmer. Only select the number of practices that correspond with the amount of times you have selected for each individual swimmer.
Step 6: Review your order & check out! Pricing is updated and prorated.
Additional Reminders:
* The practice times that you select are your exact times for the season. Please choose carefully.
* Please read our waivers, refund, makeup, and weather policies carefully. No refunds are provided for any registration. No exceptions will be made.
* We encourage families to read through our FAQs page to receive answers to some of our most commonly asked questions.
* All sibling discounts will be computed automatically at checkout.
* Registration includes a FINS T-shirt and swim cap one time per year.
*Signup anytime – Pricing is pro-rated & accurate to the day!
Interested in joining our waitlist? Send us an email at fins@finsswimming.com
Dolphins
Ages 13 to 18 - Advanced
Primary Focus:
Perfecting all four strokes and all technical skills including starts, flipturns, breaststroke pull outs, underwater kick-outs, breakouts, etc. and furthering swimmers’ abilities to take on aerobic swimming
Dolphins will practice:
In a 25 yd/m “main competition pool”
Swimmer Requirements
Swimmers entering Sharks & Dolphins must demonstrate the following skills:
- Swim legal freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly for at least 50 yd/m, demonstrating an understanding of proper body position, kicking patterns, and arm coordination for each stroke
- Demonstrate proficiency in technical racing skills, including starts, flip turns, breaststroke pullouts, underwater kickouts, breakouts, and streamlined push-offs
- Successfully participate in a structured 45+ minute practice, swimming repeated lengths and sets
- Demonstrate the ability to swim at different speeds, including controlled swimming and sprinting, while maintaining technique across all four strokes
Group Goals
Sharks & Dolphins swimmers will work towards:
- Refining technique in all four competitive strokes, focusing on body position, timing, efficiency, and consistency over longer distances
- Developing proficiency in advanced swimming drills that isolate and strengthen specific components of each stroke
- Refining technical racing skills, including starts, flip turns, breaststroke pullouts, underwater kickouts, breakouts, and streamlined push-offs
- Building endurance and aerobic capacity through structured swim sets
- Gaining further exposure to race pace swimming, learning how to increase speed while maintaining strong technique
Dolphins
Ages 13 to 18
Prior to registering, please read through the following registration information:
Step 1: Select your practice group for your first swimmer.
Step 2: Select how many times per week your swimmer will attend and select “Add to Cart”.
Step 3: If you have additional swimmers, repeat steps1 & 2 PRIOR to hitting “Continue”. You may sort through different groups using the “Filter By” option on the left side of your screen. Select “Continue” when all swimmers are added to your cart.
Step 4: Login to your “Active” account. If you do not have an “Active” account, one will be automatically created for you at checkout. “Active” is our registration system and your information will remain fully secure.
Step 5: Complete required fields and don’t forget to select your practice time/s for each swimmer. Only select the number of practices that correspond with the amount of times you have selected for each individual swimmer.
Step 6: Review your order & check out! Pricing is updated and prorated.
Additional Reminders:
* The practice times that you select are your exact times for the season. Please choose carefully.
* Please read our waivers, refund, makeup, and weather policies carefully. No refunds are provided for any registration. No exceptions will be made.
* We encourage families to read through our FAQs page to receive answers to some of our most commonly asked questions.
* All sibling discounts will be computed automatically at checkout.
* Registration includes a FINS T-shirt and swim cap one time per year.
*Signup anytime – Pricing is pro-rated & accurate to the day!
Interested in joining our waitlist? Send us an email at fins@finsswimming.com
FINS Training Group (FTG)
Jr Group - Ages 9 to 12 - Advanced
Sr Group - Ages 13 to 18 - Advanced
Primary Focus:
- Excelling at challenging workouts that maintain a focus on technique, while swimming longer distances, engaging in race style sets, and succeeding with interval based training and conditioning style practices.
- FTG will practice:
- In a 25 yd/m “main competition pool”
Swimmer Requirements
Swimmers entering FTG must demonstrate the following skills:
- Swim all four competitive strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly) legally for at least 50 yd/m (Juniors) or 100 yd/m (Seniors) continuously, maintaining consistent technique and body position
- Demonstrate refined racing technique in all four strokes, including coordinated kick and arm patterns, controlled breathing, and efficient body position
- Demonstrate proficiency in technical racing skills, including starts, flip turns, breaststroke pullouts, underwater dolphin kicking, breakouts, and streamlined push-offs
- Demonstrate the ability to swim at different speeds, including controlled aerobic swimming and sprint efforts, while maintaining proper technique
- Demonstrate the ability to maintain appropriate interval send -offs and keep pace with group training, without requiring frequent rest beyond structured set design
- Successfully participate in a 60+ minute structured practice, completing repeated interval-based sets
- Show readiness to participate in endurance and interval-based training, with the goal of improving overall swimming performance
Group Goals
FTG swimmers will work towards:
- Building aerobic fitness, strength, and endurance through longer sets, race pace work, and structured training
- Continuing to refine all four competitive strokes, improving efficiency, power, and consistency while swimming at high speeds and longer distances
- Developing mastery of advanced swimming drills, using drills to improve the individual components of each stroke
- Refining technical racing skills, including starts, flip turns, breaststroke pullouts, underwater dolphin kicking, breakouts, and streamlined push-offs
- Learning to use the pace clock and manage interval-based training, becoming comfortable completing structured sets independently
- Building confidence, focus, and strong training habits during longer 60+ minute practices
FINS Training Group
Junior Group: Ages 9 to 12
Senior Group: Ages 13 to 18
Prior to registering, please read through the following registration information:
Step 1: Select your practice group for your first swimmer.
Step 2: Select a minimum of two practice times per week your swimmer will attend and select “Add to Cart”.
Step 3: If you have additional swimmers, repeat steps1 & 2 PRIOR to hitting “Continue”. You may sort through different groups using the “Filter By” option on the left side of your screen. Select “Continue” when all swimmers are added to your cart.
Step 4: Login to your “Active” account. If you do not have an “Active” account, one will be automatically created for you at checkout. “Active” is our registration system and your information will remain fully secure.
Step 5: Complete required fields and don’t forget to select your practice times for each swimmer. Only select the number of practices that correspond with the amount of times you have selected for each individual swimmer.
Step 6: Review your order & check out! Pricing is updated and prorated.
Additional Reminders:
* The practice times that you select are your exact times for the season. Please choose carefully.
* Please read our waivers, refund, makeup, and weather policies carefully. No refunds are provided for any registration. No exceptions will be made.
* We encourage families to read through our FAQs page to receive answers to some of our most commonly asked questions.
* All sibling discounts will be computed automatically at checkout.
Interested in joining our waitlist? Send us an email at fins@finsswimming.com