Margaret River Swim Club
The Squad
Pathway
A clear progression built on standards. From a swimmer's first confident laps to racing at state level, every squad has a defined standard to reach, and a coach to get them there.
A guide, not a barrier. Every placement is confirmed through a coach-led trial. If a swimmer is close, our coaches will find the right squad and map the path to the next.
At a glance
Compare the squads
Find where your swimmer fits, then read the full standard for each squad below.
Entry Standard Dolphin | Intermediate Standard Development | Performance Standard Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aim | Learn to train and race. Build the four-stroke foundation and swim a first club night. | Race all four strokes and build the engine. Compete at club and regional age meets. | Compete seriously and chase personal bests, targeting Swimming WA qualifying and state-level competition. |
| Key skills | Legal freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke, streamline off the wall. | All four strokes legal, IM turns, bilateral breathing. | Stroke mastery, racing dives and turns, distance and underwaters. |
| Sessions / week | 2 sessions a week | 2 to 3 sessions a week | 3 to 4 sessions a week |
| Endurance | Swim 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke unbroken | Swim 400m freestyle continuously, or 10 minutes non-stop | Complete a 2,000m+ session and a threshold test set |
| Pace-clock test | Not required at this level | Hold 8 x 100m freestyle on 2:30 | Hold 10 x 100m freestyle on 2:00 |
| Qualifying times | Not required at this level | Not required at this level | Working towards Swimming WA age qualifying times, confirmed with the coach |
| Full standard → | Full standard → | Full standard → |
Entry Standard
Dolphin
Aim
Learn to train and race. Build the four-stroke foundation and swim a first club night.
Key skills
Legal freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke, streamline off the wall.
Sessions / week
2 sessions a week
Endurance
Swim 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke unbroken
Pace-clock test
Not required at this level
Qualifying times
Not required at this level
Intermediate Standard
Development
Aim
Race all four strokes and build the engine. Compete at club and regional age meets.
Key skills
All four strokes legal, IM turns, bilateral breathing.
Sessions / week
2 to 3 sessions a week
Endurance
Swim 400m freestyle continuously, or 10 minutes non-stop
Pace-clock test
Hold 8 x 100m freestyle on 2:30
Qualifying times
Not required at this level
Performance Standard
Performance
Aim
Compete seriously and chase personal bests, targeting Swimming WA qualifying and state-level competition.
Key skills
Stroke mastery, racing dives and turns, distance and underwaters.
Sessions / week
3 to 4 sessions a week
Endurance
Complete a 2,000m+ session and a threshold test set
Pace-clock test
Hold 10 x 100m freestyle on 2:00
Qualifying times
Working towards Swimming WA age qualifying times, confirmed with the coach
Dolphin
Our entry squad. Where new swimmers build water confidence and the fundamentals of every stroke.
AimLearn to train and race. Build the four-stroke foundation and swim a first club night.
Minimum Requirements
to join Dolphin
A swimmer needs the following before joining:
Foundations
- Is swimming at Learn to Swim Level 8 or above, or an assessed equivalent
- Legal freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke for a full lap, with developing butterfly
- A streamline held off the wall
- A genuine enthusiasm for the water
Development
Where swimmers turn fundamentals into real racing skill and efficiency across all four strokes.
AimRace all four strokes and build the engine. Compete at club and regional age meets.
Builds on Dolphin
Minimum Requirements
to join Development
On top of the Dolphin standard, a swimmer should consistently demonstrate:
Streamlines, off every wall
- Butterfly
- Backstroke
- Breaststroke
- Freestyle
Turns
- Freestyle
- Breaststroke
- A legal 100m individual medley with medley turns
Technique
- Bilateral breathing in freestyle, both sides
- Butterfly kick with a basic arm action
- A racing dive from the blocks
Squad smarts
- Follows the set and understands squad dynamics
Performance
Our competitive squad. Refined race craft, aerobic conditioning and the pursuit of personal bests.
AimCompete seriously and chase personal bests, targeting Swimming WA qualifying and state-level competition.
Builds on Development
Minimum Requirements
to join Performance
On top of the Development standard, a swimmer should consistently demonstrate:
Walls and dives
- Backstroke and butterfly turns, so all four turns are nailed
- A confident dive to streamline and a clean breakout
- Underwater dolphin kicks off starts and turns
Race craft
- Consistent stroke timing, rhythm and technique
- Knows their 50m back, breast and fly bests by heart
Mindset
- Loves to race and wants to compete
Begin
Find your squad
Book a trial and our coaches will place your swimmer and map out the standards ahead.
Book a Trial