Practice Groups

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. The goal is to place each swimmer in the group where they can grow, be challenged appropriately, and contribute positively to the training environment.

All practices are held at CSUB’s Hillman Aquatic Center. Schedules are subject to change — updates will be communicated through team channels.

Tidepool is the club's introduction to competitive swimming. Swimmers in this group 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. Swimmers should only attend meets if they are interested in competing and ready for the experience. The primary emphasis is learning, kicking, listening, developing practice habits, and having fun.

Tidepool will primarily include swimmers under 10 years old, although older swimmers with limited competitive swimming experience may spend time in Tidepool to learn stroke fundamentals before progressing.

Reef Group is for swimmers who have learned the four competitive strokes and are ready to begin learning more advanced competitive skills. Swimmers will continue to develop stroke technique while also receiving instruction in starts, turns, underwater kicking, streamlines, and basic race preparation.

Swimmers in Reef will also begin learning how to use a pace clock and will be introduced to basic aerobic training. Kicking remains a major part of the group's development.

Swimmers are encouraged to attend A/B/C meets on the team schedule and the summer recreation meet. Swimmers who qualify should attend Junior Olympics/Equivalent.

Current Group is for swimmers who are proficient in all four strokes and ready for a more structured training environment. The focus of this group is continued technical development, aerobic training, kick development, and learning how to compete in all strokes.

Swimmers in Current should be able to legally compete in all four strokes and should begin developing confidence across multiple events. Meet participation is highly encouraged. Swimmers in this group should compete in A/B/C meets and should be focused on qualifying for and competing at 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, improve for their high school season, and train in a structured team environment without the full year-round commitment expected of the Abyss Group.

Deep Water Group is for swimmers who are ready to take the next step in their training. Swimmers in this group 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 rather than immediate time drops at every competition.

Swimmers in Deep Water should be focused on qualifying for and competing at Junior Olympics while also working toward higher-level standards, including 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 this group are expected to focus on improvement from season to season, not just meet to meet. This allows athletes to develop through a structured, season-long training plan.

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. Swimmers in this group are generally ages 13 and older and are expected to remain active with Bakersfield Race Club during the high school season.

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:

• Stroke proficiency
• Training capacity
• Practice attendance
• Meet participation
• Coachability
• Maturity and focus
• Ability to train safely
• Ability to follow instructions
• Readiness for the expectations of the next group

Group movement is not based only on age or best times. A swimmer may be fast but not yet ready for the maturity, attendance, or training expectations of the next group. Likewise, an older swimmer may remain in a developmental group until they demonstrate the technical skills needed to progress safely.

Final decisions about group placement and group movement 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 for continued development.

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 the 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 the Abyss Group rests with the Abyss Group Coach and club leadership. The club may deny, delay, or revoke Abyss Group placement if the swimmer or family is not ready or able to meet the expectations of the group.