OVERVIEW
At SlipStream Aquatics, we have 3 main training groups: Cuttlefish (Cuttlefish White, Cuttlefish Red, Cuttlefish Yellow and Giant Cuttlefish), Squids (Vampire White, Vampire Red, Vampire Yellow and Colossal Squid) and Krakens (Kraken-1, Kraken-2 & Kraken Elite). Within each group swimmers will be placed in an appropriate lane/subgroup based on their ability. This will ensure that each athlete is getting the proper level of intensity and instruction needed to continue to grow. Each practice will be tapered by lane(s) to accommodate all abilities and to keep the entire group moving through practice together.
Each swimmer is expected to come to practice with the required equipment for that group.
We have three practice locations: Littleton HS, The Littleton YMCA, and The Douglas H. Buck Recreation Center ("Buck")
Click on each training group below for a one page welcome flyer for 2025-2026 season that you can download and print (coach info, practice schedule and more)
The Cuttlefish White group focuses on the basic fundamentals of swimming and training. Each swimmer will have active feedback at all practices and will be taught all the skills necessary to advance into the Cuttlefish Group. Each practice is 45 minutes to keep the swimmers engaged. This group is all about having fun and learning the basics! Swimmers MUST be water safe and come with a basic knowledge of all Freestyle & Backstroke. A typical practice is 500-1000 yards.
- Ages: 8 & Under
- Equipment Requirements: Suit, cap, goggles, kickboard, fins, water bottle
- Entry Requirements: Must have knowledge of Freestyle & Backstroke, water safe and be able to swim without any in-water assistance. THIS IS NOT A LEARN-TO-SWIM PROGRAM OR GROUP.
- Practice Times & Location: Monday + Wednesday 5:00-5:45pm at The Littleton YMCA, Saturday 8:00-8:450am at LHS (primarily for starts)
The Cuttlefish group focuses mainly on proper stroke technique and reinforcing positive habits. The goal is to have all members of the Cuttlefish legal in all four strokes before they move to the Giant Cuttlefish or Vampire Groups. We focus on quality over quantity in this group and will not advance a swimmer unless they have demonstrated proficiency in the skills we are teaching. A typical practice is 1000-2000 yards.
Cuttlefish Red is recommended for the younger age range, strong in Freestyle & Backstroke and knowledgeable in Breaststroke & Butterfly.
Cuttlefish Yellow is recommended for the older age range, LEGAL in all 4 strokes, and experience with interval training.
- Ages: 10 & Under
- Equipment Requirements: Suit, cap, goggles, kickboard, fins, water bottle
- Entry Requirements: Must be able to swim an entire length of Freestyle & Backstroke without assistance and also have knowledge of Breaststroke & Butterfly.
- Practice Times:
- RED: Monday + Wednesday 6:00-7:00pm at The Littleton YMCA, Saturday 8:00-9:00am at LHS
- YELLOW: Monday + Wednesday 5:00-6:00pm at "Buck", Saturday 9:00-10:00am at LHS
The Giant Cuttlefish group will continue to build on the strong foundation of the Cuttlefish Group. Practices will introduce more advanced drills and have an emphasis on interval training. We still focus on quality over quantity but there will be a significant bump in yardage and intensity compared to the Cuttlefish Groups. Swimmers can be expected to be pushed bit more in this group. A typical practice is 1500-2500 yards.
- Ages: 10 & Under
- Equipment Requirements: Suit, cap, goggles, kickboard, fins, buoy, paddles, water bottle, mesh equipment bag, snorkel (yLon preferred), plastic nose clip (recommended)
- Entry Requirements: Must be proficient in all 4 strokes
- Practice Times:
- Sept - Nov 15: Monday + Wednesday 6:00-7:30pm at LHS, Saturday 8:00-9:30am at LHS
- Nov 17 - May: Monday + Wednesday 5:30-7:00pm at LHS, Saturday 8:00-9:30am at LHS
The Vampire White group is our entry level Squid group for upper elementary/early middle school kids. There is a strong focus on mastering stroke technique with a heavy emphasis on drills. They are still challenged with interval training and learning race strategies. Swimmers in Vampire White will specifically work towards enhancing their strokes, though at a less rigorous pace. A typical practice is 2000-2500 yards.
- Ages: 11-14
- Equipment Requirements: Suit, cap, goggles, kickboard, fins, paddles, bouy, water bottle, mesh equipment bag
- Entry Requirements: Must be able to swim an entire length of Freestyle & Backstroke and knowledge of Breaststroke & Butterfly. Understaning how to read a clock and basic interval training is recommended.
- Practice Times: Tuesday + Thursday 5:30-7:00pm at "Buck", Saturday 11:30-1:00pm at LHS
Vampire Squid Red and Yellow Squid groups are our mid-level groups for middle school age swimmers. Swimmers can expect a fair balance of technique and more rigorous interval training. Swimmers need to take ownership on reading the clock and staying focused on their sets. Learning how to control pace and apply race techniques & strategies throughout their workout will help them learn the process. A typical practice is 2000-3000 yards.
Vampire Red is considered to be less advanced than Vampire Yellow.
- Ages: 11-14
- Equipment Requirements: Suit, cap, goggles, kickboard, fins, paddles, bouy, water bottle, mesh equipment bag
- Entry Requirements: Must be able to swim an entire length of of all 4 strokes. Knowledge of interval training and how to read & execute a set.
- Practice Times:
- RED: Tuesday + Thursday 5:30-7:00pm at LHS, Friday 6:00-7:30pm at LHS
- Nov 18 - May: Tuesday + Thursday moves to 6:00-7:30pm
- YELLOW: Monday + Wednesday + Friday 6:00-7:30pm at LHS
- RED: Tuesday + Thursday 5:30-7:00pm at LHS, Friday 6:00-7:30pm at LHS
The Colossal Squid group is our most competitive Squid group. Swimmers in this group should be proficient at all 4 strokes. Each practice will offer high level instruction on techniques to apply for competition. Swimmers can expect to be pushed everyday with a variety of drills, intervals, endurance, and race pace training. This group will get two days a week with six lanes in order to maximize their training potential. A typical practice is 2500-4000 yards.
- Ages: 11-14
- Equipment Requirements: Suit, cap, goggles, kickboard, fins, paddles, bouy, snorkel, water bottle, mesh equipment bag
- Entry Requirements: Proficient in all 4 strokes. Strong understanding of interval training, executing a set, knowing their pace times, and mental fortitude.
- Practice Times:
- Sept - Nov 16: Tuesday + Thursday 7:00-8:30pm at LHS, Friday 7:30-9:00pm at LHS, Saturday 10:00-12:00pm at LHS
- Nov 13 - May: Tuesday + Thursday + Friday 7:30-9:00pm at LHS, Saturday 10:00am-12:00pm at LHS
The Kraken group is our entry level HS group. Early season practices will be designed to help each swimmer grow through building solid technique foundations mixed in with a heavy dose of aerobic work. As the season progresses there will be more emphasis on faster pace work and applying race strategies. This group provides a good balance of practice times for multi-activity kids. A typical practice is 3000-4500 yards.
- Ages: 14-18
- Equipment Requirements: Suit, cap, goggles, kickboard, fins, paddles, buoy, snorkel, water bottle, mesh equipment bag
- Entry Requirements: Must have knowledge of all 4 strokes and the willingness to push themselves. Summer swim team and/or high school swim team is preferred.
- Practice Times: Tuesday + Thursday 5:30-7:00am (MORNINGS) at LHS, Monday + Wednesday + Friday 7:30-9:00pm
This group is to help bridge the gap between swimmers in K1 to Elite. Swimmers can expect a significant jump in intensity with heart rate color and lactic acid training. Swimmers are expected to make 3-4 practices per week to see improvement and are highly encouraged to participate in at least 1 meet per month. In November, once the Girls' HS season begins, swimmers will be recommended to move into either the Kraken (K1) or Kraken Elite (KE) group. Coach Andy, Alex and Seamus will be working with the Kraken 2 swimmers to place them into the appropriate group.
- Ages: 14-18
- Equipment Requirements: Suit, cap, goggles, kickboard, fins, paddles, buoy, snorkel, water bottle, mesh equipment bag
- Entry Requirements: Must have knowledge of all 4 strokes and the willingness to push themselves. Summer swim team, previous club team, and/or high school swim team is preferred.
- Practice Times: Tuesday + Thursday 5:30-7:00am (MORNINGS) at LHS, Monday + Wednesday + Friday 4:30-6:00pm, Saturday 9:30-11:30am
Kraken Elite is designed for our premiere level HS swimmers. Being goal oriented, willing to push out of their comfort zone, and encourage their teammates to go further are all vital in being successful in this group. Swimmers will be working toward qualification meets and be willing to test themselves in all strokes and distances. A typical practice is 3500-7000 yards with an emphasis on maintaining race technique thoughout high intensity sets.
- Ages: 14-18+
- Equipment Requirements: Suit, cap, goggles, kickboard, fins, paddles, buoy, snorkel, water bottle, mesh equipment bag, tempo trainer (recommended)
- Entry Requirements: Swimmers must have experience with high school or club swimming. They must be willing to do the hard work to reap the rewards. Knowing how to embrace the grind, together is key to unlocking their true potential.
- Practice Times:
- Sept - Nov 11: Tuesday + Thursday 5:30-7:00am (MORNINGS), Monday + Wednesday + Friday 4:30-6:00pm, Tuesday + Thursday 5:00-7:00pm, Saturday 9:30-11:30 (ALL at LHS)
- Nov 13 - May: Tuesday + Thursday + Friday 5:30-7:00am (MORNINGS), Monday + Wednesday 7:00-9:00pm, Tuesday + Thursday 5:30-7:30pm, Saturday 9:30-11:30 (ALL at LHS)
