Wycombe Academy

Wycombe District Swimming Club Academy starts with the SILVER Academy. Swimmers then progress up to GOLD and finally PLATINUM ACADEMY before continuing their swimming journey into the Potential squads within the club which focus more on race skills and preparing the swimmers for competitions. Swimmers feed into the Academy from either our Stroke Improvers Groups or from the Club Bronze Transition group run by the Wycombe Lesiure Centre.

The Academy Program is focused on skills development and the development of stamina. In the Silver Academy Program swimmers are expected to develop and hold three strokes over 50m, have basic Butterfly skills and be able to hold this stroke over 25m. Additionally work is started on developing basic diving and turning skills. Swimmers progress to the Gold Academy, once they are able to hold all four strokes to a good standard over 50m and are able to carry out basic front crawl and backstroke turns in addition to demonstrating basic diving ability and basic endurance swimming. The Platinum Academy is the next step, for those swimmers able to hold three good strokes over 100m and able to hold 50m of good Butterfly technique. In this group swimmers are expected to be able to execute a good understanding of all four strokes, turns and competitive starts. The goal of our Academy is to ensure the best development of young swimmers and provide the right platform and foundations for swimmers to progress into the higher levels of the club.

Bronze Transition Squad (Run by Wycombe LC)

The Bronze Transition Squad is run by teachers at the Leisure centre and is an extension to the Places for People Leisure Lesson program. Swimmers in this group are shown the skills needed to transition into the club from lessons and teachers will inform swimmers when they are ready to go for a trial to join the club. Bronze Transition is not run by Wycombe Swimming Club and all payments are made to the Wycombe Leisure Centre however Wycombe works closely with the teachers who run the group to ensure a smooth transition for all swimmers.The Bronze Academy is a "partnership" Squad that is managed in conjunction with the Pool Operator Learn to Swim program (PFP Leisure). 

Silver Academy

The Silver Academy is the main starting point for club swimming at WDSC. Swimmers train twice a week and are usually aged 7-9 years of age. Swimmers join this group from WDSC Stroke Improvement Classes, the Bronze Transition Squad or through attending one of our trial sessions. Swimmers will develop all four strokes to a higher level than lessons whilst developing their stamina. They will also learn how to do basic turns on each stroke and will be introduced to competitive starts. Swimmers may also get the chance to compete in their first competitions whilst in this squad. Usually their first competition would be the WDSC Club Championships (held in September)

Gold Academy

This squad is the middle phase of the Academy program and this is where swimmers will work in greater detail on technique and stamina. The coaches will continually be working to enhance their skills, streamlining and competitive techniques. Swimmers will be expected to participate in varying gala’s.

Platinum Academy

This squad is the final phase of our Academy program – swimmers will have good technical skills in all four stroke by this stage and can hold those technical skills over progressive distances. Swimmers can demonstrate good turns and starts and will be entering more competitions that are spread throughout the year. Some swimmers may qualify for the County championships at this stage, depending on their development.