Fall Development
Sept - Dec 2026 

Our Focus:

Fall Development practices will focus on the idea that in order to race fast, you must train fast. Swimmers will focus on building speed by improving technique, effort and power over short distances, while also developing endurance at high-intensities.  Practices will be designed to increase a swimmer’s skill, speed and motivation, setting them up for continuous progress, even within the 2 hour/week training restriction.  The goal is for swimmers to develop over the winter and begin the summer season from a higher level than they finished with last summer, rather than simply “maintaining” or even regressing over the winter. 

Notes: Schedule is subject to change, and may be due to to factors beyond our control.
Please note which group you are in.  Divisions listed correspond to the division that a swimmer will be in as of Summer 2027. 

Session runs Sept 8 - Dec 23.  No practices on Statutory holidays.

All practices for September-December are at Oak Bay Rec Center.  Junior and Senior practices begin with 30 mins of dryland.

Minipods 2 & 3 

Fridays 4:00-5:00pm  

Minipods are swimmers ages 5-7.  Swimmers in this group of Minipods must be able to swim 15m unassisted.   This group will train in the shallow end of one of the lanes at Oak Bay Rec.   

*We hope to be able to offer this group a second practice time in the Jan-Apr term, and also to expand offering to include a Minipod 1 group.

Juniors 

Juniors in Div 3 can decide between 2 options: Junior Fridays, or Senior Tues/Thurs:

Junior Fridays - 3:30-5:00pm*  at Oak Bay Rec Center
Open to Div 1-4 (swimmers born Nov 2013 or earlier, but able to swim 25m unassisted)
This group accommodates younger juniors (Div 1 and 2) as well as Juniors in Div 3 and Seniors in Div 4 who find the 8:30pm practice too late.

Swimmers will meet at the indoor field at Oak Bay Rec for 30 mins of dryland before swimming.  Proper footwear is required.

*We hope to be able to offer this group a second practice time in the Jan-Apr term.

Senior Tues/Thurs is also open to Juniors in Div 3.  Juniors wanting to swim twice a week (and able to swim 8:30-9:30pm) should register in this option.   

Seniors 

Seniors can choose from 3 options: 

Senior Teal:  Monday and Wednesday, 8:00-9:30pm. 
Open to Seniors in Div 5-8 who swam with the 'teal group" in Summer 2026

Swimmers who swam in the "teal" group during Summer 2026 (with Olivia and Drew) are encouraged to register in this group.  Swimmers having difficulty meeting pace times may be asked to move to a different group.  

Senior Mon/Weds: Monday and Wednesday 8:00-9:30pm
Open to seniors in Divisions 4-8 (birthdate April 2015 or earlier)

This group trains at the same time as Seniors teal and is suitable for all seniors, especially those with only Mon/Weds availability.

Senior Tues/Thurs: Tuesday and Thursdays, 8:00-9:30pm
Open to swimmers in Divisions 3-8 (birthdate Oct 2016 or earlier)

This group accommodates younger seniors, and also Div 3 juniors, as well as other seniors with Tues/Thurs availability.

Monday to Thursday practices all include 30 mins of dryland.  Swimmers will meet coaches on deck.

Masters 

This popular option is open to alumni, parents of Orcas or other adults.  Swimmers should be comfortable swimming laps (or at least 50m at a time) but generally all levels are welcome.  This group will be opened if space permits, once juniors have registered. 

Masters Friday  - waitlist only
Fridays 4:00-5:00pm 

There is no dryland for Masters.