Eligibility and Evaluations
Evaluations:
We encourage all swimmers to join the fun Fairfield Fins swim team!
Our program welcomes ALL swimmers including those with physical and intellectual disabilities.
Eligibility: Fairfield residents under the age of 19 as of June 1, 2025 are eligible to be part of the team.
Swimmers must be able to:
- Submerge (place face in water)
- Float (front and back without flotation)
- Jump into the water
- Take a breath (while floating/ after jumping in/ while making forward progress)
- Make forward progress (at least three body lengths without flotation) and return to the wall.
All new swimmers will be evaluated to determine which practice group is the best fit for the swimmer. Swimmers who can swim the length of the pool (25 yards) unassisted and without touching the bottom will be placed according to their age grouping. Swimmers who need more assistance will be placed in the Developmental practice group with the goal of moving on to their age group by the first meet of the season.
Developmental practice group
Our Developmental group aims to quickly prep and transition swimmers to their appropriate age groups. The developmental program is not intended to replace traditional swimming lessons. Developmental swimmers will be expected to transition into their age groups. Developmental swimmers will continue to practice throughout the season until the are able to move to their age group.
Developmental practice focuses on building strength and stamina while learning the skills necessary to compete with the swim team. Each session works on refining and advancing swimming skills through the development of stroke technique (including breathing), competitive entry, and circle swimming (including lane etiquette). This program is fast-paced, fun and will hopefully prepare swimmers for competing with the swim team through improvement of existing swimming skills, increasing endurance, and introducing the students to some friendly competition.
What is a developmental group practice like?
Developmental group practice will take place at the same time as the 6& under and 7/8 age groups as this is where a majority of the developmental swimmers will transition to once they are proficient. Dedicated coaches will work with developmental swimmers to help them with their stroke techniques.
