General Description and Objective
The Retriever Aquatic Club, founded in 1986, is known throughout the country as a first-class year-round swim program. We offer a guided age-group youth program for children ages 7 and up, from the beginning swimmer to the most competitive and skilled swimmer. When a young person becomes a member of the Retriever Aquatic Club, he/she learns the values of sportsmanship and team work. Swimming with the Retrieve Aquatic Club provides physical, emotional, and intellectual skills that will last a lifetime. The mission of the Retriever Aquatic Club is: To develop Champions in Swimming and in Life while creating a safe and positive learning environment.
Team Philosophy
The team philosophy is encompassed in the words COURAGE and PERSEVERANCE. COURAGE is the willingness to accept risk(s) and endure failures. Courage does not exist unless there is a situation that presents the opportunity for success. We encourage our athletes to embrace these opportunities and not fear the outcome. PERSEVERANCE is the backbone of success in any endeavor in life. One cannot succeed at the highest levels without enduring some set-backs. These difficult times can create a lack of faith, low self-esteem, and an obvious drop in enthusiasm. Perseverance is the quality that transcends these difficult times. It allows the individual to find the true strength of their characters. The Retriever Aquatic Club believes that COURAGE and PERSEVERANCE develop by swimming will prepare the individual for the challenges they undoubtedly will face in life.
Team Levels
The The Retriever Aquatic Club uses a 'progressive' age group program designed to develop the child physically, mentally and emotionally in a systematic fashion. A well defined, long-trem approach of gradually increasing degrees of commitment, intensity and expectations is essential to reach peak performance levels during a swimmer's physiological prime. The emphasis in the early stages of participation must be placed on developing technical skills and a love for the sport. In the later years, a more demanding physical and psychological challenge must be introduced to the training program. In this respect 'too much, too soon' is more often the cause of failure to achieve maximum potential in Senior Swimming than in the reverse situation. In addition to emphasizing long-term rather than short-term results, it is also important that we establish training groups of swimmers who are compatible in respect to abilities, commitment levels, goals and maturity. Unfortunately, this is not always the most convenient approach to take, but it is always the most productive and in the best interest of the swimmer. At each level, the goals and objectives are specific and directed toward meeting the needs of the swimmer. The long-term goal of total excellence is always in our minds. As each child is different, they will progress at their own rate. The coaching staff recognizes this fact by making team assignments based on a swimmer's physical, mental and emotional level of development.
