Jr. Marlins Purpose

The SVAC Jr. Marlins is a special category of the SVAC Marlins swim team normally for children between the ages of 4 and 6 who wish to participate in an organized swim team program, but are not skilled or strong enough to participate with the regular swim team.  Members of the Jr. Marlins are typically children who are comfortable in the water, have the basic free-style or dog-paddle swim skill, and are not afraid to put their face in the water. Children who wish to be on the Jr. Marlins team must be active members of the SVSC pool. Members of the Jr. Marlins will be considered members of the regular swim team and may participate in any of the swim team functions. This program is not designed to replace Level I, II, or III swim lessons

Operation

The Jr. Marlins will practice for one-half hour on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at a time set by the SVAC Board of directors and the Jr. Marlins coaches. Before school ends, practice will be in the afternoon from 5:00-5:40 pm and when school ends and morning practices begin, the practice will be held between 9:30am and 10am. Swimmers will practice in the shallow end of the pool (2.5 foot section) under the supervision of their coaches. They will receive instruction on the free-style stroke and will do drills and swim laps to improve their endurance and stroke mechanics.  The back stroke will be introduced if and when the swimming abilities of the swimmers progresses sufficiently.  During the regular Marlins swim team home meets the Jr. Marlins will participate in a "race" across the shallow end of the pool during the break between the IM events and relays. Diving will not be permitted and the race will begin in the water with each swimmer holding the pool wall. Times will be recorded and all participants will receive a race ribbon.  Jr. Marlins swimmers may also participate in the Smallwood Guppy Meet.

Schedule

The Jr. Marlins will have one session that begins in first home June meet and ends at the completion of the last Prince-Mont home dual meet in July.  The first three practices are typically used for evaluations and tryouts. Children who join the Jr. Marlins will have their name entered on the Marlins roster that is submitted to the Prince-Mont league office.  This will permit Jr. Marlins who demonstrate sufficient skill and endurance to "graduate" up to the regular Marlins team and participate in regular swim meets. (The Jr. Marlins and regular Marlins coaches have the sole authority to determine if a swimmer should move up to the regular team.)