Revised Summer Schedule and Updates!

Hello Hurricanes Families,

After considering a lot of helpful feedback from members regarding our summer schedule, we've decided to make a few important updates and clarifications. 

Complete updated descriptions of training groups, schedules and requirements are now available on the website and by clicking here. The comprehensive updated schedule is also posted and accessible here. 

Please read on for a more detailed explanation of this years program and summary of notable changes:

The explicit goals of the Hurricanes group structure are two-fold: 

• For all athletes interested in swimming in the mountains: to provide a healthy, productive, exciting place to train and grow.
• For select athletes who wish to pursue their ultimate swimming potential today: to teach and practice the training and performance skills and habits of the world’s most elite swimmers. They will be pushed beyond their limits daily, and will learn to train and compete at the outside edges of their potential.

We think this summer's program is a big step towards realizing both goals for our senior groups in particular:

We're more than excited to be taking a huge step towards the realization of the second goal with the addition of a comprehensive dryland strength and conditioning program for Surge and Category 5 athletes. Coach Jordan and I believe that we have the opportunity to tap into new avenues of fitness, athleticism and general swimming potential. This program will put our training regimen more in-line with today's top athletes.

Along with the exciting near term impact on our Category 5 athletes, the inclusion of Surge means that some of our middle school athletes can look forward to a long runway of athletic development that will have big implications on their training capacity later on in high school and college.

We can't wait to see the results over the course of this summer and beyond!

Cognizant of the demands of such a program, we're also determined to meet the first goal by honoring and investing in Category 4 as a thriving and respected part of our team. The absence of attendance requirements does not equal the absence of a challenging, engaging, and serious growth opportunity for those who choose it. The flexibility of Category 4 is an important part of our overall program that is relevant to every Hurricane. 

I'm proud and inspired that the Hurricane's community has shown a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement for the prospect of a truly elite pathway right here in the mountains. I share the imperative to make that pathway one part of our program.

It isn't easy to integrate an elite program, but we're working hard to put the real thing on the table for some of our young athletes to choose. Both challenges and rewards of that path are beyond exceptional. The challenges are so exceptional, in fact, that even the most commited athletes may find themselves questioning their capacity to stay the course from time to time.

One of the critical functions of Category 4 on this team is that of a temporary release valve from the year over year, season over season demands of elite swimming. The discussion of that option is to be encouraged. In the context of a bigger long term plan, the option for a seasonal commitment to Category 4 is something that should be up for consideration for even the most commited and determined athlete. This is one reason that one of the updates below is the expansion of Category 4 eligibity to middle school athletes who have previously graduated from Category 3.

We'll be following up with group recommendations for each family by Wednesday, March 15, and we look forward to working together with you to make sure every athlete is in a group that matches their goals, expectations, and abilities. 

Please see the updates by training group below:

Category 1

As of the May 20th start to the summer schedule, we will be moving to a Monday - Thursday practice schedule with total flexibility. Practices will be held from 4:30pm - 5:30pm each day, with kickstarts following each.

We still recommend 3 practices per week, but will not be asking for a commitment to particular days for the summer of 2023. Each family can choose which practices to attend (up to all four).

Coach Jeff will remain the lead coach of Category 1.

Category 2

The Category 2 schedule will remain as posted. Coach Brian will remain the lead coach of Category 2.

Category 3

The Category 3 Friday afternoon practice was originally posted for 6:00pm to 7:30pm, but has been moved to 4:00pm to 5:30pm. Coach Jordan will take over as the lead coach of Category 3.

Surge

The Surge schedule will remain as posted with one addition: The Friday afternoon Category 4 workout from 6:00pm to 7:30pm will be available as a makeup practice for those needing it to meet the attendance requirement (see below).

Instead of the school year requirement of 6 practices per week, Surge athletes will be required to attend 5 swimming workouts, and 3 dryland workouts per week.

Coach Brian will remain the lead coach of Surge. 

Category 4

The Category 4 schedule will remain as posted. 

In addition to all high school age athletes, Category 4 is now open to middle school athletes who have previously graduated from Category 3. This change primarily affects Surge athletes in 6th-8th grade with a need or desire to take a temporary or permanent step away from the demands of Surge. 

Coach Jordan will remain the lead coach of Category 4.

Category 5

The Category 5 schedule will remain as posted with one addition: The Friday afternoon Category 4 workout from 6:00pm to 7:30pm will be available as a makeup practice for those needing it to meet the attendance requirement. 

Coach Jordan will remain the lead coach of Category 5, and Coach Brian will be the lead coach of the Surge / Category 5 dryland program.

Thanks and Go Hurricanes!

Coach Brian