Team Information:
Groups, Practice Times, and Equipment List

The Sopris Barracudas is a year-round swim team that serves all levels of interested athletes.  We have a full-time, highly trained coach, Damon Garrison, who has been coaching competitive swimming for over 17 years.   We are registered with USA Swimming and Colorado Swimming Inc., and are members of the Western Slope League. The team is divided into five practice groups: Rapid Class I, II, III, IV and V; and the abilities of our swimmers covers the spectrum from development to highly competitive. The coach determines the group level of each swimmer.  We train at the Glenwood Springs Community Center, and compete in swim meets throughout the state.  The practice times and list of required equipment for each group are given below.  You can purchase suits and equipment online through The Lifeguard Store. 

2010-2011 PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Class I: Ages 6-12
This group provides a solid foundation for entry-level swimmers who are able to swim 25 yards of two of the four competitive strokes, and use free breathing to the side. The emphasis in all sessions is on stroke technique and overall skill development of the four competitive strokes, along with starts, turns, and finishes. The flexible commitment and training routine allows for a swimmer's participation in other sports or activities. 2 practices are offered per week.

Required equipment:

• Sopris Suit
• Sopris Cap (either latex or silicone) 
• Zoomers 
• Sopris T-Shirt

Class II: Ages 6-12
This group provides a solid foundation for entry-level swimmers who are able to swim 25 yards of two of the four competitive strokes, and use free breathing to the side. The emphasis in all sessions is on stroke technique and overall skill development of the four competitive strokes, along with starts, turns, and finishes. The flexible commitment and training routine allows for a swimmer's participation in other sports or activities. 3 practices are offered per week.

Required equipment:

• Sopris Suit
• Sopris Cap (either latex or silicone) 
• Zoomers 
• Sopris T-Shirt

Class III: Ages 9-12
This group is for swimmers who have good consistency in all four strokes and a desire to work to improve. At this level we will continue to emphasize the proper technique for all four strokes as well as putting together a training program meant to assist swimmers in obtaining their goals. They devote their training sessions to conditioning and maintenance of stroke techniques and turns. This practice group could have up to three training levels that can expect to swim 1,500 to 3,500 meters per day. 5 practices are offered per week.

Required Equipment:

• Sopris Suit
• Sopris Cap
• Zoomers
• Sopris T-shirt
• Pull Buoy

 Class IV: Ages 9-12
This group is for swimmers who have good consistency in all four strokes and a desire to work to improve. At this level we will continue to emphasize the proper technique for all four strokes as well as putting together a training program meant to assist swimmers in obtaining their goals. They devote their training sessions to conditioning and maintenance of stroke techniques and turns. This practice group could have up to three training levels that can expect to swim 1,500 to 3,500 meters per day. 6 practices are offered per week.

Required Equipment:

• Sopris Suit
• Sopris Cap
• Zoomers
• Sopris T-shirt
• Pull Buoy
• Small Paddles
• Swim Snorkel 

Class V: Ages 13 and over
This group is designed for those swimmers who are making the transition from age group to senior level swimming. These swimmers have shown the ability to perform consistently within practices, possess a positive attitude, and have adapted their strokes to a more efficient level. They devote 80% of their training sessions to conditioning and the remaining 20% of their practice time toward maintenance of stroke techniques and turns. This practice group could have up to three training levels that can expect to swim 3,500 to 6,000 meters per day. 6 practices are offered per week.

Required Equipment:

• Sopris Suit
• Sopris Cap
• Zoomers 
• Paddles (Stroke Maker or Speedo Power Paddle) 
• Pull Buoy
• Ankle Locks
• Swim Snorkel
• Sopris T-shirt