Every training group in detail
From a first unassisted 25 to Sectionals and Futures cuts. Group placement requires an evaluation and is set by the coaching staff based on practice effort, attendance, commitment, attitude and performance. Practice times for every group are on the schedule.
Prep Team
Designed for swimmers whose goal is to join the competitive swim team. After an initial tryout our coaches will suggest the Rise-Up Prep Team if a swimmer is not yet ready for the swim team. The Prep Team prepares new swimmers for the practice environment with a 45-minute session teaching the fundamentals of swimming. The main focus is learning freestyle with bilateral breathing and backstroke independently, in an enjoyable atmosphere.
Requirements
Tryout dependent. Comfortable in the water, unassisted with no flotation devices. Proper strokes not required.
Required equipment
Kickboard, fins (Finis floating fins), caps and goggles, water bottle
Sunrise Development
Entry-level novice swimmers ages 9 and under. Emphasis is placed on developing the fundamentals of the four competitive strokes. Practices include drills, games and exercises which allow swimmers to learn total-body coordination to help their stroke mechanics, in an enjoyable atmosphere for instruction.
Requirements
Must be able to swim one length (25 yards) demonstrating freestyle and backstroke. Swim meet attendance highly encouraged.
Required equipment
Kickboard, pull buoy, mesh equipment bag, fins (Finis floating fins), caps, goggles, water bottle
Sunshine Development
Moderate to advanced swimmers ages 8–11. The focus is continued development of stroke mechanics and competitive rules, with an increase in training. This group introduces dryland training, mental training and team building. Success is based on an increased commitment level in attendance and practice effort.
Requirements
Swim all four competitive strokes legally. Must be able to perform competitive turns. Swim meet attendance is expected.
Required equipment
Kickboard, pull buoy, mesh equipment bag, fins (Finis floating fins), caps, goggles, water bottle, snorkel, finger paddles
Age Group Classic
Proficient swimmers between ages 11 and 14 progressing towards FLAGS cuts. Swimmers are expected to make a strong commitment with respect to attendance and training effort. Swimmers continue with dryland training; D1 training is offered but optional. Goal setting and race strategies are developed here, and workouts are designed to improve endurance, speed and stroke technique.
Requirements
Minimum 11 years old. Swim all four competitive strokes legally with competitive turns. Four practices a week recommended; swim meet attendance required.
Required equipment
Kickboard, pull buoy, mesh equipment bag, fins (Finis floating fins), caps, goggles, water bottle, snorkel, paddles and finger paddles, parachute
Age Group Performance
Experienced swimmers ages 11 to 14 progressing towards Senior level training and competitive FLAGS times. Swimmers are expected to make a dedicated commitment with respect to attendance and training effort, continuing with dryland training with one session at D1. Advanced team building and mental and physical training concepts are introduced, alongside goal setting and race strategy.
Requirements
80% attendance expected. Swim meet attendance required. D1 training required. Test sets required for move up; 11–12 FLAGS cuts at coaches’ discretion.
Required equipment
Kickboard, pull buoy, mesh equipment bag, fins (Finis floating fins), caps, goggles, water bottle, snorkel, paddles and finger paddles, parachute
Senior Prep
For high school aged swimmers. Build technique, endurance and speed, and develop the consistency and confidence to keep progressing, all in a positive team environment. Training focuses on stroke technique, starts and turns, aerobic conditioning and race skills.
Requirements
High school aged swimmers, ages 14–18. Placement starts with an evaluation.
Required equipment
Ask a coach for the equipment list.
Senior
Swimmers ages 14–18 striving to achieve Senior and Sectionals championship cuts. Swimmers are introduced to more advanced mental and physical training concepts and learn how to maximise these skills. Goal setting and race strategies continue to be developed, and workouts are designed to improve endurance, speed and stroke technique.
Requirements
In high school or minimum 14 years old. Swim all four competitive strokes legally with competitive turns. 80% attendance encouraged; swim meet attendance required.
Required equipment
Kickboard, pull buoy, mesh equipment bag, fins (Finis floating fins), caps, goggles, water bottle, snorkel, finger paddles, parachute
Senior Elite
Swimmers ages 14–18 who have achieved two Sectionals qualifying cuts, at least one in a 100-yard or 100-metre event of a stroke. This group strives for Futures and other National-level qualifying standards. Athletes are highly motivated and prepared for advanced training concepts, and workouts are designed to enhance endurance, speed and stroke technique while preparing them to swim in college.
Requirements
100% attendance encouraged. Mandatory attendance at all meets assigned to the group, especially Sectionals and Senior Championships. Must maintain two Sectionals cuts.
Required equipment
Kickboard, pull buoy, mesh equipment bag, fins (Finis floating fins), caps, goggles, water bottle, snorkel, finger paddles, parachute
Masters
Swimmers ages 18+ who are either former competitive swimmers or just getting started. Great for anyone who wants to swim to reach fitness goals and for US Masters competition. Swimmers are challenged daily with workouts designed to improve endurance, speed and stroke technique. Training for a triathlon? See RISERS Endurance on our Triathlon page.
Requirements
Must be registered with US Masters Swimming, whether or not you plan to compete. Masters enquiries go to coachmirko@swimrise.com.
Required equipment
Kickboard, mesh equipment bag, fins, pull buoy. Snorkel optional.
Rise Up Plus
Designed for swimmers whose goal is to participate in a team environment where all abilities are celebrated, from age 12 through adult, with a maximum coach-to-swimmer ratio of 10:1. Practices help swimmers reach personal goals of building stamina, developing technique and learning the fundamentals of swimming in a one-hour session. The main focus is to have fun, swim in a group setting, and progress to freestyle with bilateral breathing and independent backstroke.
Requirements
Tryout dependent; comfortable in the water, ideally unassisted. Accommodations may be made with a flotation belt. This group does not attend swim meets unless specifically arranged with the coaches.
Required equipment
Kickboard, fins (Finis floating fins), caps and goggles, water bottle
2026–2027 fees
Annual registration is billed September 1; monthly dues on the 1st of each month.
| Group | Ages | Per week | Annual reg | Monthly dues | Gear included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prep Team | 5–11 | 2 | $100 | $125 | 3 T-shirts, 1 cap |
| Sunrise Development | 9 & under | 3 | $250 | $115 | 3 T-shirts, cap, suit, backpack or specialty gear |
| Sunshine Development | 8–11 | 6 | $250 | $140 | 3 T-shirts, cap, suit, backpack or specialty gear |
| Age Group Classic | 11–14 | 6 | $250 | $150 · $195 with D1 | 3 T-shirts, cap, suit, backpack or specialty gear |
| Age Group Performance | 11–14 | 6 | $250 | $225 with D1 | 3 T-shirts, cap, suit, backpack or specialty gear |
| Senior Prep | 14–18 | 5 | $250 | $130 | TBA |
| Senior | 14–18 | 6 | $250 | $180 · $255 with D1 | 3 T-shirts, cap, suit, backpack or specialty gear |
| Senior Elite | 14–18 | 6 | $250 | $285 with D1 | 3 T-shirts, cap, suit, backpack or specialty gear |
| Masters | 18+ | 5 | $50 | $80 | 3 T-shirts, 1 cap |
| Rise Up Plus | 12+ | 2 | $100 | $125 | 3 T-shirts, 1 cap |
D1 is the strength and conditioning session held off the pool deck. It is optional for Age Group Classic and Senior, and required for Age Group Performance and Senior Elite.
Prep Team: on move-up to the competitive team the remaining registration difference of $150 is charged, monthly dues adjust to the new group rate, and the team backpack and suit are issued.
USA Swimming registration is required for every group except Prep Team and Rise Up Plus. Masters swimmers must register with US Masters Swimming whether or not they compete.
An approximately two-week August break and one-week spring break are built into the annual schedule and are not prorated.
Placement starts with an evaluation.
Swim 25 yards freestyle and 25 yards backstroke unassisted, bring a cap and goggles, and arrive ten minutes early to park and walk to the pool.