| Mini Makos Information Mini Makos is a program designed to prepare young or inexperienced swimmers for the regular swim team - it is not intended to be a substitute for swim lessons. The
only entry requirement is that a child is comfortable with submerging underwater
and has the ability to swim
without floatation devices for 3-5 yards on top of the
water.
The 30 minute session is run much like a swim practice in that it uses a swim lane that runs the length of the pool (5' to 3 1/2' in depth). The coaches spend the practice in the water helping children and thus need help from parents to monitor children that are waiting their turn. Please
keep in mind that the coaches are parent volunteers - not paid
professionals.
Each child works at their own pace and care is taken so their first swim team experience is not scary or traumatic. Freestyle and backstroke are the 2 strokes focused on. Proper body position, kicking, breathing, and streamlining are stressed. Properly
fitting goggles are very important.
Occasionally we practice starts with the equipment used at the meets.
This gets the swimmersused to the process of stepping up to the pool edge, taking their mark, and going at the right time with the starting tone. Mini Makos can swim at regular swim meets as soon as they have the interest and can swim freestyle across the pool in under a minute. Usually they are physically ready before they are mentally ready (parents and coaches discuss readiness.). All swimmers competing in an actual meet get at least a good swim ribbon and possibly a time improvement ribbon. 6 & unders get separate 1st thru 3rd place ribbons, as well as overall ribbons in the 8 and under group. It is possible to get a first place as the fastest 6 year old, another ribbon for placing in the top 12 among all 8 and unders, a time improvement ribbon, and heat ribbon for one race. There is a Mini Mako meet towards the end of the season. This allows children who haven't made the jump to actual meets to get a taste of multi-lane racing. Awards are presented to all swimmers and refreshments provided. Mini Makos who have advanced to meets are invited too. At the end of the season, Mini Makos get the same trophies as the rest of the team, regardless of swimming in a regular meet. |