Our Squads can be joined at any time however an assessment is required in order to accurately determine the level of your child. Personal bests from previous clubs will also help in determining the appropriate squad.

Junior Squad B

This is the start of the Squad Programme, where swimmers will learn the basics of becoming a competitive swimmer. They will build upon the principles of advanced stroke technique taught in the developmental groups, including race starts, turns and finishes, lane discipline and being part of a training squad. Training is a minimum of two sessions  a week. The squad will be introduced to including stretching exercises as part of their workout. Swimmers in this squad are normally 7 - 10 yrs of age.

Junior Squad A

The swimmers will maintain the skill work they have been learning in Junior Squad B but there is now a larger endurance component to the training. The swimmers are expected to commit to more sessions, but are required to swim at least two, in order to take part in more competitions.

Swimmers are now also introduced to dry land training, which will take part on a Sunday and Tuesday evening before the water session. This is basic athletic training, involving body weight exercises, balance work, core stability and movement skills. Swimmers will need their own shorts, t-shirts and trainers to be allowed to take part. Swimmers will normally be 9 – 12 yrs old and selected due to skill levels and training ability.

Senior Squad

Training is stepped up again, with longer and harder sessions, more advanced land training. They will need to become accustomed to increasing their training.

Swimmers will be selected for this squad based on skill levels, training commitment, and competition ability. Swimmers will normally be 11 - 18 yrs of age.

Minimum weekly attendance levels for this squad are three sessions.

Land training is an integral part of a swimmer’s development. All swimmers are expected to attend these sessions, in addition to the water work.

Aims

• To enforce the swimmers’ competition and training skills
• To introduce swimmers to energy systems and cyclical training
• To build stability and basic strength through harder land training
• To educate swimmers on time management, healthy lifestyles and gala protocols
• To build the swimmers’ discipline and commitment level
• Swimmers will target both local and foreign international competitions

Fitness and fun

Doha Dolphins offers an option for kids and teenagers who wish to swim for fitness and fun, but are not interested in competition. The Fitness groups are designed to meet the needs of these increasing numbers of swimmers and will incorporate both stamina and technique training.

Swimmers will normally be 8 - 19 yrs of age. Swimmers will swim for one hour.