Our Squads
Harpenden Swimming Club is formed of a main competitive arm based predominantly at Harpenden Pool and St Albans High School for Girls and a teaching arm (the development squad) based at St Albans High School for Girls. The development squad teaching sessions run once a week on a Monday with a number of sessions for different abilities.
Swimmers at Harpenden are divided into squads according to ability. Swimmers progress between the squads as they achieve criteria which are set out by the coaches. The criteria and work that the squads do are based around developing the swimmer as laid out in the British Swimming Performance Pathway.
The following sessions have been scheduled for trials, Please email Trial Enquires and let us know if you would like to join, we will then confirm the date and time.
- Monday 12th February 2024
- Monday 22nd April 2024 (UPDATED)
- Monday 3rd June 2024
For those with competitive swimming experience or looking to transition from another swimming club, ensure you make this clear to trial enquires and include your swimming times achieved. We can then aim to offer an ad hoc trial at one of our other meeting times throughout the week.
A useful overview of the UK swimming hierarchy of club structures, from HSC up to British Swimming at a national level, can be found here: Swimming hierarchy.pdf
Squad Progression
SEALS
Seals is the first squad swimmers enter upon joining the competitive arm of the club. This squad work on the technical aspect of all four strokes including starts and turns with the aim of being able to swim in medley races. Seals are working towards regular participation in open meets and club galas and often participate in the league campaigns as required.
We have compiled a short FAQ PDF for those joining the club and entering the Seals Training squad, Download it here.
Junior Seals
Wednesday 18:00-19:00, Harpenden Pool
Sunday 14:30-15:30, Harpenden Pool
Senior Seals
Thursday 18:00-19:00, St Albans High School for Girls
Sunday 14:30-15:30, Harpenden Pool
OTTERS
In Otters swimmers continue to work on the techniques developed in Seals whilst introducing longer distances to the training sessions. Key skills such as starts and turns are further developed so that swimmers are able to complete training and races correctly. Otters continue to work towards regular participation in open meets and club events to gain race experience, and to participate in league campaigns as required.
Wednesday 18:00-19:00, Harpenden Pool
Thursday 19:00-20:00, St Albans High School for Girls
Sunday 15:30-16:30, Harpenden Pool
DOLPHINS
In Dolphins longer and more technical sets designed to build the competitive swimmer are introduced. There is a focus on technique, but holding it over longer distances and under more time pressure than in previous squads. Swimmers gain a greater understanding of pace work and are expected to be able to use the pace clock themselves during sets to check pace and rest. Dolphins are expected to be regular participants in open meets and club events, and to be swimming in league campaigns as required. Members of this squad will be working towards participation at County Championships.
Tuesday 18:00-19:00, St Albans High School for Girls
Wednesday 19:00-20:00, Harpenden Pool
Thursday 20:00-21:00, St Albans High School for Girls
Sunday 09:00-10:00, Inspire Luton Sports Village (50m pool)
Sunday 15:30-16:30, Harpenden Pool
SHARKS
This squad is by invitation only and is targeted at older swimmers who may or may not have achieved regional times in the past, may be slowing down their training schedule due to exams, or may be recovering from a long-term injury.
Wednesday 20:00-21:00, Harpenden Pool
Friday 19:00-21:00, Harpenden Pool
Sunday 08:00-09:00, Inspire Luton Sports Village (50m pool)
Sunday 16:30-17:30, Harpenden Pool
COMPETITIVE
In Competitive squad, the focus is training to race. Sets are developed to meet key aims for the swimmers at specific times of the year to aid their development and race potential. Technical work is undertaken at a more specific level, and applied into longer and faster sets. This squad aims to develop the competitive swimmer across a broad range of events and encompassing all strokes. Swimmers are expected to be regular participants in open meets and club events, and to be swimming in league campaigns as required. Members of this squad will be competing at County Championships and working towards Regional and National Championships.
Monday 20:00 – 21:00, St Albans High School for Girls
Tuesday 19:00-21:00, St Albans High School for Girls
Wednesday 20:00-21:00, Harpenden Pool
Friday 19:00-21:00, Harpenden Pool
Sunday 08:00-09:00, Inspire Luton Sports Village (50m pool)
Sunday 16:30-17:30, Harpenden Pool
PERFORMANCE
In the Performance the focus is training to race. Sets are developed to meet key aims for the swimmers at specific times of the year to aid their development and race potential. Technical work is undertaken at a more specific level, and applied into longer and faster sets. This squad aims to develop key skills around race strategy and allows a deeper focus on key evets as swimmers mature and specialise. Performance members are expected to be regular participants in club events and targeted open meets, and to be swimming in league campaigns as required. Members of this squad will be competing at Regional Championships and working towards National Championships.
Monday 19:00-21:00, St Albans High School for Girls
Tuesday 19:00-21:00, St Albans High School for Girls
Wednesday 19:00-21:00, Harpenden Pool
Friday 19:00-21:00, Harpenden Pool
Sunday 08:00-10:00, Inspire Luton Sports Village (50m pool)
Sunday 16:30-17:30, Harpenden Pool
Our Training Pools
Harpenden Swimming Club train at various pools in and around Hertfordshire and compete at many more.
Inspire: Luton Sports Village has a new 8 lane, 50m swimming pool with track start blocks, timing pads and a electronic scoreboard. The club trains here on a Sunday.
St. Albans High School for Girls has a 4 lane, 25m pool equipped with starting blocks. The club trains at this pool on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and also has…
Harpenden Swimming Pool in Rothamsted Park is the main base of the club. It is a 25m pool equipped with starting blocks and we train here on Wednesdays and Sundays. Harpenden is…