The Rochester Rapids Swim Team (RRST) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting competitive swimming in the City of Rochester. The team is run by a Board of Directors consisting of parent volunteers. RRST is a member of the Niagara District of USA Swimming, the governing body for amateur competitive swimming in the United States. The Niagara District encompasses most of western New York. RRST is also a member of the Genesee Valley Swim League of Rochester.

We believe that swimming is a route to personal development, both physical and mental. We believe that swimming builds strong character as well as strong bodies. Our philosophy: “The awards of youth are soon forgotten, but the personal qualities developed through the disciplined pursuit of excellence will endure a lifetime.”

Benefits of RRST

Fun – Our swimmers enjoy the water and love being together as a team.
Health – Swimming is a total body workout. Swimmers are in GREAT shape.
Goals – Competitive swimming teaches you how to set and achieve personal goals.
Commitment – Many of our athletes have been with our program for four or five years.
Structure – Our program provides a highly structured and positive environment.
High Expectations – Our coaches demand a lot of effort from our athletes, and our athletes demand a lot from themselves.

Team Structure

RRST is divided into four groups: the Blue Team, Silver Team, Junior Team & Senior Team. This is done so that children will practice with other swimmers of similar ability, as well as have an incentive for improvement. The coaching staff is solely responsible for determining within which group a swimmer will practice. The coaches will communicate directly their expectations for all swimmers. The times below indicate when the swimmer will be IN the water, so please allow extra time before and
after for drop off, changing clothes, etc.

Blue Team
The Blue Team is the developmental section of our program, for children ages 5 and older. Practice sessions focus mostly on technique fundamentals with little emphasis on yardage. The coach teaches the basics of racing: the four competitive strokes, turns and starts, and the components of swimming workouts (intervals, sets, etc.) Blue Team members are expected to attend all Junior Meets (also known as Dual or Triple Meets), which total approx. 4 per year. Swimmers will benefit most from 3 practices a
week. Practice days and times for this group will be Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m.

Silver Team
The Silver Team is for more experienced swimmers, ages 8 to 14, who have the ability and skills needed to make a serious commitment to competitive swimming. While the main focus remains on fundamentals, the swimmers will learn more advanced techniques and begin to focus on physical training. Silver Team workouts are more challenging than Blue Team workouts. Silver Team members are encouraged to compete in optional District meets as well as mandatory Junior Meets (also known as
Dual or Triple Meets). A swimmer in this group attends 3 to 4 practices each week. Practice times and days for this group will be Monday and Friday from 6 to 7:30 and Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 to 7pm.

Junior Team
The Junior Team continues with a balanced focus between technique and training, and includes dryland training. Participation in most meets is expected. These swimmers practice alongside the Senior Team and swimmers are encouraged to attend 4 or 5 days a week. Practice times and days for this group will be Monday and Friday from 5 to 7:30 and Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00 to 7pm.

Senior Team
Senior Team swimmers have mastered stroke technique and are involved in more intensive training both in the water and out. Senior Team workouts are tough; the coach expects members to consistently work very hard during practice. These junior and high school swimmers have the motivation to attend 5 to 6 practices a week. Practice times and days for this group will be Monday and Friday from 5 to 7:30 and Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00 to 7pm.