Stroke Lab

Program Description

The Aqua Culture competitive program is called Stroke Lab. Where the techniques and science of swimming are applied to swim faster and more efficiently. Stroke Lab builds on the stroke technique development and refinement classes taught in the swim school. All swimmers must be enrolled in a class to apply for the Stroke Lab program. Class tuition rates apply – $89 per month or $890 for yearly enrollments. Competitive program sessions are monthly add-ons. $40 for the first Competitive Day, $15 for the 2nd Competitive Day, and $15 for the Conditioning Day

Stroke Development Class 

  • Classes occur throughout the week on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Each swimmer will attend one class.  
  • They are dedicated entirely to stroke technique development.  
  • Consists of drills, stroke feedback, and full-stroke practice 
  • Low yardage with an emphasis on quality.

Competitive Swimming Sessions 

  • These sessions occur on Monday and/or Wednesday depending on group assignment. 
  • With a focus on stroke technique development, these sessions will contain more work on starts, turns, finishes, underwaters, and other components of competitive swimming to prepare them for meets.  
  • A moderate amount of yardage with more emphasis on competitive swimming skills and training. 

Conditioning Session 

  • These sessions will occur on Sunday evenings at Harford Community College.  These sessions will NOT occur on USA Meet Weekends.  
  • This is a guided workout. Drills and skills may be incorporated with speed and endurance work. Athletes are expected to maintain technique and incorporate skills learned throughout the week during these workouts.

     

Competitive Program Group Descriptions

 

Wahoos

  • 10 & Under
  • 1 Class Day
  • 1 Competitive Day – Wednesday 5:15-6:15 pm
  • Intrasquad Meets and ONE Travel USA Meet

Marlins 

  • 8-12 
  • 1 Class Day 
  • 1 Competitive Day – Monday 5:15 – 6:15 pm 
  • 1 Optional Conditioning Day 
  • Intrasquad Meets and Full USA Meet Schedule

Junior Group 

  • 10-14 
  • 1 Class Day 
  • 1 Competitive Day – Monday OR Wednesday 6:15 – 7:30 pm 
  • 1 Optional Conditioning Day 
  • Intrasquad Meets and Full USA Meet Schedule

Senior Group 

  • 13&Over 
  • 1 Class Day 
  • 2 Competitive Days – Monday AND Wednesday 7:15 – 8:45 pm 
  • 1 Optional Conditioning Day 
  • Intrasquad Meets and Full USA Meet Schedule 
  • The schedule differs during the High School Swim Season. Only 2 days are expected during those times.

Our USA Team

Our USA Team’s mission is to provide competitive opportunities for athletes looking at the next level of swimming without a rigorous training regimen. We do not believe in early sport specialization for children and encourage development of well-rounded athletes. Stroke Class and Stroke Lab are required to participate with the USA Team. Individual tryouts are required for new athletes.

USA Team Fee: $125 This covers team registration with Maryland and USA Swimming, athlete registration with Maryland Swimming, and other team-specific expenses like travel, equipment, and meet management. Note: There is an additional fee that is paid directly to USA swimming when registering or renewing the swimmer with USA Swimmiing. Meet entry fees are based on the host team and are the responsibility of the swimmer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the tuition work? Examples:

  • Wahoo Group
    • Class Tuition – $89 per month
    • Wahoo Group Session – $40 per month
    • Meet Fees
  • Senior Group
    • Class Tuition – $89 per month
    • Senior Group Session #1 – $40 per month
    • Senior Group Session #2 – $15 per month
    • Conditioning Session – $15 per month
    • Meet Fees

What is different from previous years in terms of how I pay?

  • You will only pay through the swim team website for meet fees or other team events/outings. All tuition will be managed through iClass with your lesson. No more $150 payments quarterly.

What is different about the practice schedule?

  • Non-High School Age: Rather than Sunday being your primary practice day, it will now be Monday or Wednesday. JR group days will be assigned with some flexibility to accommodate other activities. Sunday will now be a conditioning day at HCC. The conditioning day will be canceled when there are swim meet conflicts.
  • High School Age: The days swimmers attend are the same. But, what we do on those days changes a little bit. The work we did during High School Prep will be incorporated into Monday and Wednesday. The only day that is specifically dedicated to conditioning is Sunday.

What do the names mean?

  • Over the years we have added and modified our competitive programs. Once upon a time, Stroke Lab on Sunday was only about 20 kids across two groups. We added Pre Stroke Lab, Wicked Wednesdays, Workout Wednesdays, and High School Prep…. Now, we are streamlining things. Titles are more streamlined, and schedules are more all-inclusive rather than a more a la carte style where you pick and choose.

What does my high school swimmer do once their school season starts?

  • Once their school season begins, Wednesdays drop off. They are required to be enrolled in 2 days at this time. Flexibility on the days is allowed. This will be handled on a case-by-case basis considering the practice schedule of your school.

Aqua Culture Swim School

Aqua Culture Swim School is a registered USA Swimming club and participates in USA Swimming meets hosted in Maryland Swimming and surrounding LSCs. Swimmers who participate in Stroke Lab have opportunities to participate in USA Swimming Meets

USA Swimming

USA Swimming is the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming. USA Swimming is a 400,000-member service organization that promotes the culture of swimming by creating opportunities for swimmers and coaches of all backgrounds to participate and advance in the sport through clubs, events and education.

Maryland Swimming

Maryland Swimming is the USA Swimming Local Swim Committee (LSC) for the majority of Maryland.

Aqua Culture Summer Rec Swim Team

Harford Swim League (HSL) Aqua Culture Swim Team (ACST) is a rec team hosted and managed by Aqua Culture Swim School with strong support from parents and families of swimmers.