In order to participate in Minisink Valley Aquatics as a Torpedo Ray, swimmers must be able to complete all Electric Ray goals and criteria.
Torpedo Ray’s goal is to provide an atmosphere for children to have fun and learn new skills while becoming a supportive team member. Torpedo Ray continues the use of team building exercises as well as goal charts to monitor a swimmers individual progress.
All ESSL TEAM MEETS and all HOME USS Meets are MANDATORY.
Torpedo Rays practice five (5) days a week for two (2) hours per day.
Practices are held Monday-Friday between 5:15 and 7:15 PM.
Torpedo Ray is divided into two separate training groups; Torpedo Ray I and Torpedo Ray II. Training groups are divided by age and skill level.
Torpedo Ray I is our first intermediate training group, designed for our 12 and under swimmers. Athletes must be able to swim all four competitive strokes legally with turns. A continued emphasis is placed on proper stroke technique in all four competitive strokes. Establishment of an aerobic based training program also occurs within this group. Priority is placed on good practice habits, lane etiquette and team building. Swimmers will learn how to read a pace clock and will be introduced to beginner sets and intervals; all of which are important components necessary to become a competitive swimmer. Athletes in Torpedo Ray I will also spend time spotlighting proper start technique using USA Swimming’s Racing Start Certification Program. We recommend attending at least 3 practices per week.
Click here for Goal Outline for Torpedo Ray I.
Torpedo Ray II is our second intermediate training group, designed for swimmers 8 and over. Athletes in Torpedo Ray II must proficiently perform all four competitive strokes as well as the corresponding starts, turns and finishes. Swimmers must be able to demonstrate a proper racing dive off the blocks. Stroke development and refinement continue in this training group. In addition swimmers build endurance in all four strokes and are introduced to IM (Individual Medley) based training. Torpedo II debuts interval training and race planning. Within this training group swimmers will begin competing more frequently. Stroke and race refinement are major components of this training group. Aerobic Base is the major concentration for training and Perfect Technique is the focal point for racing. We recommend attending at least 3 practices per week.
Click here for Goal Outline for Torpedo Ray II.
