Program Information
Pre-Competitive Program Overview
Pre-Competitive is the more advanced recreational novice program of the recreational tier. This skills based program, has swimmers attending twice per week. The 60 to 90 minute class is designed for those swimmers who are comfortable with the pool, seek to improve their efficiency and may have an interest in progressing into the competitive streams.
Participants are expected to have competency in the freestyle and backstroke. In addition they should have some breaststroke and butterfly familiarity. This program has an additional endurance component, specifically with the kick.
All four strokes are required for swimmers to train in the competitive stream. Swimmers are not required to attend meets. This program is recreational in nature and swimmers are encouraged to consider the competitive program at the appropriate time. However, some participants enroll to exclusively enhance their skills and build their experience in the water with no intention to advance to the competitive stream.
Our program provides high quality instruction with educated and certified coaches. All instructors are affiliated with Swim Ontario and demonstrate a professional approach to their teaching responsibilities. All program participants are given the opportunity to learn and develop in a directed and structured program. The environment is designed to enhance the participants' experience and confidence in the water.
Should you have any questions about our pre competitive program, please feel free to contact Owen Cecile, PTBO swim club head age group coach at agegroupcoach@ptboswimclub.com.
Competitive Programs Overview
PTBO swim club competitive streams are designed for development within the Athlete Development Matrix (ADM) published by Swimming Canada and supported by Swim Ontario. This matrix describes four pillars, physical capacities, psychological (mental) skills, technical skills and life skills. Swimmers progressed from a FUNDamentals stage to a Train to Compete stage. This is consistent with the age and maturity of those age groups primarily enrolled in the program.
All four strokes are expected within the five tiers of the competitive stream. In addition, athletes are expected to understand the basic elements of starts and turns. Strokes, turns and starts will evolve throughout the progression from the earliest competitive tier (AG devo) to the most advanced tier (Senior-elite). Swimmers are expected to attend competitive meets throughout the season. This includes home meets, invitational meets and championship meets (regional). Most swimmers attend between eight and twelve competitions between September and June. Additional meets may be attended if the swimmer has qualified for provincial or national level competitions.
All PTBO swim club participants are required to register with Swim Ontario. In addition, all coaches are required to be registered and affiliated with Swim Ontario and the Canadian Swimming Coaches Association. Many of our coaches are NCCP certified at the minimum standard of swimming 101. This program provides the opportunity to develop competency in the ADM, adhere to a coaching philosophy and codes of conduct. All coaches are also required to have a safe sport accreditation. This ensures that your swimmer has the best environment to develop and grow in a positive environment.
PTBO has a strong local tradition of swimmer development, meet hosting, and excellence in competitive swimming. We are committed to providing an environment that athletes can thrive and mature from novice swimmer to advanced swimmer, with the support of a knowledgeable coach and a supportive team of volunteers.
Should you have any questions about our competitive program, please feel free to contact Kent Crockower, PTBO swim club head coach at headcoach@ptboswimclub.com.
Swim school is the starting point for many of our swimmers registered in the competitive swim program. This skills based program, runs 10 weeks and has swimmers attending once per week. The 45 minute class is designed for those swimmers who are comfortable with the pool, seek to improve their efficiency and may have an interest in progressing into the competitive streams. Participants will be introduced to rudimentary skills for breaststroke and butterfly (primarily kick) and will progress in their skills in freestyle and backstroke.
All four strokes are required for swimmers to train in the competitive stream. Swimmers are not required to attend meets. This program is recreational in nature and swimmers are encouraged to consider the competitive program at the appropriate time. However, some participants enroll to exclusively enhance their skills and build their experience in the water with no intention to advance to the competitive stream. Swimmers are provided written evaluations every ten weeks.
Our program provides high quality instruction with educated and certified coaches. All instructors are affiliated with Swim Ontario and demonstrate a professional approach to their teaching responsibilities. All program participants are given the opportunity to learn and develop in a directed and structured program. The environment is designed to enhance the participants' experience and confidence in the water.
Should you have any questions about our swim school program, please feel free to contact Kent Crockower, PTBO swim club head coach at headcoach@ptboswimclub.com.
Our Masters program is a structured program, designed to support swimmers aged 20 and over. This program is suitable for swimmers that have participated in age swimming, high school swimming, or are familiar with at least three strokes (freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke). With a combination of drills, kicking and technical adjustments, participants have the opportunity to improve their fitness and performance, in a social environment that encourages excellence. Our swimmers participate in local, provincial and national meets, however many participate in triathlons, other sports and use swimming as a mechanism to stay in shape.
Our coaches are affiliated with our provincial sport organization, Swim Ontario, have been educated in the NCCP swimming curriculum and have first hand experience as swimmers. Their expertise and welcoming approach provide an environment that is non threatening, allows swimmers to progress at their own pace and encourages all swimmers to improve their skills. Our program also provides flexibility, with training sessions provided in the morning and evening. In addition, registered swimmers can choose their level of commitment, with options for registration that allows the best fit for work, family and other commitments.
Should you have any questions about our Masters program, please feel free to contact Kent Crockower, PTBO swim club head coach at headcoach@ptboswimclub.com.
This is not a 'learn to swim program'. It is for those swimmers 12 and over, but under Masters program age, wishing to swim to train for fitness and improve their stroke performance, but not participate in competition.