BOTTLENOSE DOLFINS AT A GLANCE
Designed for swimmers ready to move beyond introductory competitive swimming, Bottlenose builds stronger technique while introducing more structured training and race preparation.
AGE & PLACEMENT
Typically ages 8–10, with some swimmers ages 11–12. Assessment or coach recommendation required for placement.
TRAINING FOCUS
All four competitive strokes, racing skills and strategy, interval training, and pace-clock awareness.
PRACTICE EXPECTATION
Attend 2–4 practices per week; 60–75 minutes each plus dryland exercise.
MEMBERSHIPS & MEETS
Active Danvers Community YMCA and USA Swimming memberships required. Participate in 1–2 scheduled meets per month.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Required equipment: team-issued shirt, suit, swim caps, goggles, mesh equipment bag, fins, snorkel, yoga mat, and resistance band.
WHO THIS GROUP IS FOR
READY FOR MORE STRUCTURED AGE GROUP TRAINING.
Bottlenose Dolfins is for swimmers who can swim all four competitive strokes and are ready to begin learning race skills, strategy, interval training, and pace-clock use.
Swimmers should be ready for more structured practices, greater technical expectations, regular meet participation, and increasing responsibility for their training.
✓ Able to swim all four competitive strokes
✓ Ready to learn interval-based training
✓ Prepared for 2–4 practices per week
✓ Ready to participate in 1–2 scheduled meets per month
ALL FOUR
STROKES
Build greater consistency and efficiency across freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.
WHAT BOTTLENOSE DOLFINS DEVELOP
Training develops stronger technique, racing awareness, structured training habits, and greater independence in practice.
RACING SKILLS & STRATEGY
Begin understanding how technique, race execution, and strategy work together in competition.
INTERVAL TRAINING
Learn to follow structured swim sets, repeat intervals, and manage effort across practice.
PACE-CLOCK
AWARENESS
Develop the ability to read and use the pace clock during structured training sets.
WHAT PARTICIPATION REQUIRES
Bottlenose swimmers take on greater practice, meet, and equipment expectations as they progress through Age Group training.
SWIMMER EXPECTATIONS
✓ Attend assigned practices consistently
✓ Arrive prepared with required equipment
✓ Listen, participate, and respond to coaching
✓ Treat teammates, coaches, and officials with respect
✓ Work through challenges with a constructive attitude
FAMILY EXPECTATIONS
✓ Support consistent attendance and on-time arrival
✓ Review schedules, announcements, and deadlines
✓ Complete required registrations and memberships
✓ Communicate promptly about absences or concerns
✓ Complete at least 8 volunteer hours or two meet sessions per season.
PROGRESSING BEYOND BOTTLENOSE DOLFINS
THE NEXT GROUP IS EARNED
THROUGH READINESS.
As swimmers become ready for more advanced Age Group training, the next stage in the Dolfins pathway is Spinner Dolfins. Coaches consider technical readiness, training habits, maturity, attendance, and competitive development.
NEXT IN THE PATHWAY
SPINNER DOLFINS
Advanced Age Group training with greater attendance, competition, and training expectations.