Our Season
Our season starts in late August and continues through late July. For our competitive programs, meets begin in January and continue through June or July, depending on the program, age, and ability level. Most competitive swimmers participate in five meets held in the Pacific Association. Teams in our association include Sacramento, San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Santa Clara, Los Gatos, and Santa Rosa. We also hold meets with the Central Association, which includes teams from the Monterey Peninsula. Our Elite program athletes also compete around the country at regional and national meets.
Our programs and levels
Sacramento Artistic Swim Team, an affiliate of USA Artistic Swimming, offers a variety of programs for athletes of all skill levels. Age restrictions listed pertain to the age of the athlete in 2024. Weekly practice hours vary depending on the program, age of the athlete, the routines they are selected to swim, as well as the time of season. Practices typically increase prior to meets and team performances. Participants from all programs are invited to perform in our Water Show at the end of the season.
Mini Training Program: Designed for young athletes who are new to artistic swimming. Practices focus on basic skills and proper technique in and out of the water to build a strong foundation. This is a great program for athletes to explore their interest in the sport in a positive and encouraging environment. Athletes are provided the training and support they need to become strong and confident artistic swimmers. Depending on progress, athletes may be given the opportunity to compete at the Pacific Association Novice Championships in June.
Ages: 8 and under
Prerequisite: Athletes must be able to swim 25 yards unassisted
Weekly Practice Commitment: 2.5-6 hours
Length of Practices: 1 hour 15 minutes
Length of Season: 11 months 8/21/23 through 7/19/24
Novice and Intermediate Competition Teams: Designed for athletes who want the full competitive experience. Athletes on each team are grouped by age and/or skill level.. Like our Mini Training Program, the Novice Competition Team provides athletes ages 9 and older who are new to artistic swimming with the opportunity to learn basic skills and proper technique in and out of the water to build a strong foundation. The Intermediate Competition Team expands on the Novice training and provides experienced athletes the opportunity to hone their skills and continue to challenge themselves in a competitive atmosphere. The coaches will place athletes on either the Novice or Intermediate team based on experience and skill level. Athletes on both teams compete at association meets across Northern California including Seaside, Walnut Creek, Santa Clara, and Novato. Additionally, the athletes may have the opportunity to compete at State Games in San Diego at the end of the season.
Ages: 9 and up
Prerequisite: Athletes must be able to swim 25 yards unassisted
Weekly Practice Commitment: 4-8 hours
Length of Practices: 2 hours
Length of Season: 11 months 8/21/23 through 7/19/24
Elite Training Program: Designed for swimmers who have demonstrated the skill level, commitment, and work ethic to compete at a higher level. Athletes in this program seek to become members of the Elite Competition Team. Practices are more rigorous than the Mini Training Program or Novice and Intermediate Competition Teams and focus on providing the skills and stamina to practice and compete at the elite level. Athletes in this program may compete at association meets with a primary focus of increasing their technique.
Ages: All Ages
Prerequisite: Invitation Only
Weekly Practice Commitment: 6-12 hours
Length of Practices: 2-3 hours based on age
Length of Season: 11 months 8/21/23 through 7/19/24
Elite Competition Team: Designed for experienced swimmers who have demonstrated the skill level, commitment, and work ethic to compete at the highest level. Athletes in this program seek to advance their skills with the goal of qualifying for national meets. Practices are rigorous, include both land and water training, and focus on continuously building the strength, stamina, and skills necessary to successfully achieve these goals. Regular and consistent stretching, conditioning, and land practice at home is required. Athletes in this program compete at association meets, as well as Regionals, West Zones, Junior Olympics, and Nationals. Athletes at this level can also work towards training to qualify for national team trials at age levels 11-12, youth, Junior, and Senior.
Ages: 7 and up
Prerequisite: Invitation Only
Weekly Practice Commitment: 8-20 hours based on age
Length of Practices: 2-3 hours based on age and routines
Length of Season: 11 months 8/21/23 through 7/19/24
Athletes With Disabilities (AWD): Designed to give swimmers with cognitive and physical disabilities the opportunity to learn about the sport of artistic swimming and develop new skills in a positive and encouraging competitive atmosphere. Practices focus on learning basic skills and continuously improving those skills in order to build confidence. Athletes in this program compete at association meets and may also attend Junior Olympics and other USAAS sanctioned meets for athletes with disabilities. For competition purposes, athletes are divided into 1 of 6 tiers based on their development and individual needs. Rules and Figures | FAQs
Ages: 6 and up
Prerequisite: Athletes must be comfortable in the water and be able to safely tread water
Weekly Practice Commitment: 4-8 hours
Length of Practices: 2 hours
Length of Season: 11 months 8/21/23 through 7/19/24
Non-Competitive Recreational Supplement Program: Designed for athletes who participate in recreational artistic swimming and are looking for an opportunity to continue to develop their skills in the off-season. Athletes in this program attend technical training practices which focus on conditioning and figure training appropriate for recreational swimmers, without routines. Athletes in this program are invited to perform in the Water Show at the end of the season.
Ages: 6 and up
Prerequisite: Athletes must be able to swim 25 yards unassisted
Weekly Practice Commitment: 4 hours
Length of Practices: 2 hours
Length of Season: 8/21/23-12/15/23
Would your swimmer like to try synchro mid-year? Come join us for a day!
Email info@sacartisticswimteam.com to arrange this opportunity.