Join Dereham Otters

Are you interested in joining our club?

In order to join, we require swimmers to participate in a trial session so that our coaches can evaluate the swimmer’s readiness to join a competitive club. Our minimum expectations are detailed below.

Development Squads:

For entry into Development Squads we expect swimmers trialling to have achieved:

Age 7yrs +, ASA level 6 or above (note: under 9s are not allowed to compete in Swim England competitions)

We also expect a willingness to have a go at the tasks taking place in the training session, the ability to listen to instructions and an obvious enjoyment of swimming - we want the swimmers to be there because they enjoy it.

Transition Squads:

The Transition Squad swimmers are generally aged 10-12 and focus on advanced drills and skill acquisition for all strokes, as well as continuing to develop their aerobic endurance and swimming terminology. They will learn to perform perfect streamlines consistently, perfect Breaststroke Pull-outs (underwater), and must be able to complete a legal 200m Individual Medley. Other skills acquired include reading the pace clock and greater general body strength through land based training. It is expected that these swimmers will be striving for Norfolk County qualifying times across a range of strokes and distances.

Performance Squads

Swimmers in our Performance squads must have achieved a minimum of multiple county qualifications and will work towards acquiring a multiple of regional qualifying times. The squad continues to focus on advanced drills and skill acquisitions for all strokes. In addition, the programme introduces and incorporates a number of new opportunities and skills such as more advanced land training and core strength, advanced understanding of training and racing terminology, goal setting (both personal and team), the ability to maintain a training log book, competing in distance events (400 IM and Free, 800 and 1500 Free) and attending training camps and competitions abroad (overnight trips). Each swimmer's attendance and attitude should reflect a commitment to excelling in this program and a dedication to all aspects of competitive swimming. Respect for the club, coaches and teammates, and consistent and intense training are critical to the success of each individual in the Performance Squads. Access to the Performance Squads is gained by meeting certain performance criteria laid out by the coaches, but also includes more subjective aspects like maturity, coachability, leadership qualities, and personal motivation.

Get in touch with us to organise a trial swim in one of our squads by using the form below