The Hamden North Haven YMCA Swim Team (the Typhoons) have changed their practice and team philosophy with the addition of a new coaching staff in 2008. We now, instead of swimming by age groups, swim by age as well as ability level. This ensures that all swimmers are able to elicit their full potential by swimming with peers at the same ability level, have fun, learn, and get better as a swimmer overall! Our team consists of four practice groups:
Silver Typhoons (Ages 5 – 11) – The Silver Group signifies an introductory level to competitive and semi-competitive swimming. The primary goal for this group is to have fun and learn the basic techniques and strokes needed. Swimmers in the Silver group must be able to swim a full length (25 yards) without a flotation and with their arms out of the water during recovery.
Gold Typhoons (Ages 7 – 13) – Swimmers in the Gold Group typically have some competitive swimming experience, have participated in the pre-season swim clinics, or have been formally trained in all four competitive strokes. The primary goal is to learn more efficient and advanced techniques while still having the most fun possible! In order to be at the Gold level, a swimmer must either age up (turn 12), or swim up (be able to swim a legal 100 yard/meter IM, a 50 yard freestyle in less than 0:52.00, and complete a head-first entry from the blocks.
Junior Typhoons (Ages 10 – 17) – The Juniors generally have more than two years of competitive swimming experience, or have been involved with a high school level swim program. The swimmers in the Junior Group are typically focused on improving their personal best times and achieving goals that are set at the beginning of the season with the coaching staff. In order to practice in the Junior group you must have a legal 200 yard IM in less than 3:20.00, and swim the 100 yard freestyle in less than 1:35.00.
Senior Typhoons (Ages 11 – 18) – The Senior Group represents that highest level of competitive swimming in Connecticut. Swimmers at the Senior level typically have more than four years of experience in competitive swimming, or are involved in a high school swim team program. Seniors must be focused on achieving personal best times, and accomplishing goals established by the swimmer and the coaching staff. In order to swim with the Senior Typhoons, you must swim a 500 yard freestyle in less than 7:00.00, a 200 yard IM in less than 3:00.00, and a 100 yard freestyle in less than 1:20.00.