Youth Swimming

Young swimmers can enjoy an array of fun, invigorating Pool activities under the safe supervision of an experienced instructor. Programs are offered for every age and swimming ability.

Safety First

Swimming pools can mean summer fun and cool relief from the hot weather, but they can be extremely dangerous for children if parents and guardians aren't vigilant at all times near the water.

 

5 basic tips for protecting your child:

1. Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool. Young children should never be considered safe in the water alone, despite swimming skills, previous instruction or experience.

2. There is no substitute for in-water adult supervision. Air-filled floating devices will not prevent an unsupervised child from drowning.

3. Remain within an arm's length of young swimmers ages 5 and under at all times.

4. Instruct caregivers about potential hazards to young children in and around swimming pools and reinforce the need for constant supervision.

5. Teach children sound safety habits in and around the water, including no running, diving, jumping, pushing or dunking playmates.

Mudsharks Group Lessons

The Mudsharks group program are for entry-level swimmers who want to continue on to the swim team or swimmers who want to learn in a structured group program while developing water confidence and good swimming habits.

Besides learning swim skills through short-distance swimming. reputation and drills, participants are introduced to improvement through friendly rivalry, camaraderie, team spirit and consideration for others. There are also opportunities to take part in swim meets and events.

30minutes lessons are run twice a week to ensure consistent development. Swimmers are assessed in the middle and at the end of the program.

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Gummy Sharks
Age: 4-5
Requirements: Participants must be water confident and able to submerge unassisted.
Minumum: 3 students
Teaching ratio: 5 students: 1 instructor in the water

Wobbegongs
Age: 5-7
Requirements: Participants should be able to swim 10m unassisted.
Minumum: 4 students
Teaching ratio: 7 students: 1 instructor

Schedule Choices
- Mon & Wed: 3:30–4 pm | Mon & Wed: 4–4:30 pm
- Tue & Thu: 3:30– 4 pm | Tue & Thu: 4–4:30 pm

Program Dates
Session 1: January 21–March 21 (registration starts December 3)
Session 2: April 1 –June 6 (registration starts March 4) * No lesson Apri 29 - May 2 (observation of Golden Week)
Session 3: August 26–October 17 (registration starts July 1)
Session 4: October 28–December 5 (registration starts September 30)

Program Fee:
Session 1: ¥ 37,800
Session 2: ¥ 37,800
Session 3: ¥ 33,600
Session 4: ¥ 25,200

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Parents and Tots (Spring and Fall)

Parents and toddlers can join these interactive sessions of songs, games and drills in the pool. The courses are designed to get children used to the water at a young age in a safe and enjoyable environment.

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Summer Parents & Tots Swim Lesson

Schedule
Session 1: June 17-27
Session 2: July 1-11
Sessino 3: July 22-Aug 1
Session 4: Aug 5-15   

Registration

Registration from 10am May 7. Sign up online or at the Pool Office or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Kids' Summer Swim Program

Get the most out of the water by signing up for one of the Sky Pool's intensive two-week swim programs this summer. Divided into six levels, the program teaches children everything from basic water safety to improving their strokes.

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Mudsharks

 

The Mudsharks is a swim team program for children who want to improve their swimming skills. The program is organized to accommodate both swimmers who wish to improve their technique and fitness and those who want to focus on competitive swimming with a more intense training regime. There is plenty of opportunity for swimmers to compete at meets, and many members have taken part in competitions in Asia.

Participants learn how to swim competitively while developing their swim technique, sportsmanship and team spirit. Besides improving speed, strength, conditioning and mental preparation for races, they pick up goal-setting skills in a positive, fun environment.

Since the Sky Pool is open year-round, there are four sessions over the year. Swimmers may sign up for all four sessions at once or one at a time. The idea of the four sessions is to allow for swimmers to advance from one level to the next. Those swimmers who continue will be given preference for places on the next session. Once groups fill up, registrants will be placed on waiting lists.

 

2013 Swim Season

Mini Muddies Schedule for 2013

Session I:         January 14 to March 20 (sign-up starts December 3)

Session II:        April 1 to June 7 (sign-up starts March 4)

Session III:       August 19 to October 10 (sign-up starts July 1)

Session IV:      October 21 to December 12 (sign-up starts Sept 2)

 

Junior/Intermediate and Tiger Sharks’ Schedule for 2013

Session I:         January 14 to March 28 (sign-up starts December 3)

Session II:        April 1 to June 14 (sign-up starts March 4)

Session III:       August 19 to October 18 (sign-up starts July 1)

Session IV:      October 21 to December 20 (sign-up starts Sept 2)

 

The program is multi-leveled and tailored to the individual needs of each and every swimmer.  New swimmers to the Mudsharks must go through a tryout. If swimmers have recorded times at swim meets previously, these times will be helpful in positioning swimmers in the correct swimming level. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to organize a try-out time.

Click Here to view latest Swim Team Newsletter.
 

Mini Muddies

Swimmers must be over 5 years old and be able to swim 25m freestyle with lateral breathing, 25m backstroke, 25m breaststroke with a well formed frog kick and some butterfly ability.  Mini Muddies practices will focus on kick work emphasizing a good body position and drills to develop natural ability with correct technique.  Mini Muddies will swim short distances to maintain perfect technique and develop good swimming habits.  All Mini Muddies are part of the Mudsharks Swim Team and are encouraged to participate in TAC swim meets and events.

Instructors: Masaya Sato and Haldane Henry

Mon & Wed or Tue &Thu

4:30-5:15 pm

Limited to 20 participants per group

Fee:

Session I&II: 29,400 yen

Session III&IV: 23,520 yen

 

 

Mudsharks Junior Squad

Juniors will work on building stamina, stroke correction and development. Short distances are used in most drills. Participants should have properly formed strokes in freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly for distances of 50m.  Swimming sessions will be broken down weekly to prepare the swimmers for junior level competition. Participants are expected to attend all practices.

Instructors: Simon Hadlow and Haldane Henry

Tue & Thu

5:15-6:15 pm

Limited to 35 participants

Registration Fee

Session I&II: 30,480 yen

Session III&IV: 28,580 yen

 

 

Mudsharks Intermediate Squad

Emphasis is on advanced drills, stamina training over longer distances and improving technique. Swimmers should be capable of swimming 100 meters of all strokes with proper technique. The session's training schedule will focus on the same core ideas as the juniors, but with different work outs.  These practices will gradually increase in distance and incorporate reduced time cycles. More attention is paid to turns and detailed competition swimming techniques. Participants are expected to attend all practices.

Instructors: Simon Hadlow and Henry Haldane

Mon, Wed & Friday

5:15-6:15 pm

Limited to 35 participants

Registration Fee

Session I&II: 31,570 yen

Session III&IV: 25,830 yen

 

 

Tiger Sharks Squad

Swimmers in this group should be aware of their progress and results they achieve, via hard work. Swimmers should train a minimum of 5 times a week to reach their goals, to keep up with the rest of the squad, achieve results at meets and compete in overseas swim meets. These swimmers can arrange their own schedule around school and other activities. Training at this level will build stamina, speed and strength and a positive psychological approach to racing.

Instructor: Simon Hadlow and Yumiko Uehara

Monday to Friday: 6:15 to 7:30 or 7:45 pm

Tuesday and Friday: 6:30 to 7:45 am

Possible 7 training practices per week

Limited to 25 participants

Registration Fee:

Session I&II: 34,930 yen

Session III&IV: 28,580 yen

 

Swim Team Goals

• To learn how to swim competitively while developing skills, good sportsmanship and team spirit
• To improve speed, strength, conditioning and mental preparation in relation to competitive swimming
• To enrich physical, social and personal development through the values of physical conditioning, positive peer influence, goal-setting, character development and high self-esteem
• To spend time with positive mentors and role models who serve as coaches and adult volunteers
• To have fun in a safe environment while learning lessons about oneself and others

Program Emphasizes:

• Fundamental swimming skills and physical conditioning
• Team-building and productive work habits
• Social skills and character growth
• Enjoyment of the sport and ability to enjoy various water sports
• Continuous assessment, competition and recording of personal best times to recognize improvements gained through hard work

Swimmer Requirements:

• All swimmers must wear goggles
• Females swimmers are required to wear a swimming cap
• Number of participants in each group is strictly controlled to ensure maximum safety and a proper learning environment
• Once the available spaces in each group are filled, other registrants will be placed on the waiting list
• Participation in the program requires children to attend a minimum number of sessions to remain in good standing
• Participants will be required to follow instructions and conduct themselves responsibly at all times at the Club or while participating in off-site events
• Swimmers training in the Pool with the Mudsharks should participate in swim meets, for the Mudsharks
• Failure to abide by these standards may be grounds for removal from the program; registration fees will not be refunded

Mudsharks Swim Kit: Swimsuits, Caps and T-shirt

All swimmers are required to wear the Mudsharks swimsuit and cap during practice. The kit is available for sale at the Pool Office.

Coach Profiles

Simon Hadlow, head coach

Nationality: Australian

Qualifications:  Australian Level One coaching; 18 years' experience in teaching and coaching beginner, junior, intermediate, senior and adult levels;  16 years' swimming experience with Junior Australian Team coach Lester Watkins; competed at Australian State and National level in an age group and as an open swimmer;  Western Australian State Grand Prix Team member; competed in Australian Commonwealth Games Trials and World Championship Trials as an open swimmer.

Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 090-6511-8689

 

Haldane Henry, Mini Muddies Instructor and Intermediate Assistant Coach

Nationality: Jamaican

Qualification: scuba instructor; lifeguard; Austswim participant; swimming and water safety instructor; swimming instructor at Tokyo American Club since 2005; assistant coach for the Mudsharks Swim Team since 2007

 

Masaya Sato, Mini Muddies Instructor

Nationality: Japanese

Qualification: Swim instructor of Tokyo American Club, Over 10 Years swimming experience at various levels, swam competitively in high school swimtea m.

Yumiko Uehara – Assistant Coach

Has been swimming competitively since 1990 and has competed in both regional and national swim events in Japan.
Yumiko teaches group programs and private swimming lessons for both adults and children. She has experience and certification for instruction in Australia and Japan.

 

Cancellation Policy

No penalty: Before the program starts or during the first week

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- 25 percent penalty: During the second week

- 50 percent penalty: During the third week

- 100 percent penalty: After the third week

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Race Practice Night - Sign Up Procedures

Race Practice Night (RPN): A chance for young swimmers to become familiar with the procedures of a real swim meet without the added pressure of a foreign environment and unknown competitors. Experienced swimmers can use RPN's to gauge how they are progressing with their training, gain personal bests and compare past personal bests with more current performances.

Sign-Up Procedure
• All entries will be processed through our Entry Card System. E-mail entries will not be accepted.
• Race Practice Night (RPN) entry cards are blue. These entry cards are available from the Pool Office or from the coaches. Simply fill in the card and drop it in the entry box on the Pool Office counter.
• It is important that swimmers fill in all required information correctly and attain the correct entry card when signing up for swim meets.
*If swimmers fail to provide the required information prior to the deadline for entries, this may result in their not being able to compete.
• At 8 p.m. on the registration deadline day for each meet, the entry box will be removed and all swimmers will be entered into the meet.
*No more cards will be accepted after this time. The entry box will be returned to the counter when registration begins for the next meet.

Away Swim Meets – Sign-Up Procedure

Away swim meets are mostly held at ASIJ, St. Mary's and on US Military bases. Sign-up procedures are the same for all meets. However, please note that there are additional procedures for meets held on US Military Bases.

Away Swim Meet entry cards are Pink
• Away Meets Entry cards are pink. These entry cards are available from the Pool Office or from the coaches.
• Simply fill in the card and drop it in the entry box on the Pool Office counter.
• It is important that swimmers fill in all required information correctly and attain the correct entry card when signing up for swim meets.
• At 8 p.m. on the registration deadline day for each meet, the entry box will be removed and all swimmers will be entered into the meet.
*No more cards will be accepted after this time. The entry box will be returned to the counter when registration begins for the next meet.

What To Bring to Away Swim Meets
1. Team swimsuit
2. Team t-shirt
3. Swim cap (boys optional)
4. Goggles
5. 2 - 3 Towels (towels are not supplied)
6. A warm jacket to put on between events

Meets on Military Bases
All meets at Yokosuka and Yokota (or other military bases) require that participants have special passes in order to gain access and park on the base. This process takes time and is very strict in regard to correct paperwork and the deadlines for submission.

All visitors entering the base, including swimmers, spectators, parents and grandparents, have to submit the following information to the appropriate staff member prior to the submission deadline or they may not be permitted on base.

1. A copy of each visitor's passport
2. The current home address of each visitor
3. A copy of the Japanese car registration (or shaken), a description of the car and plate number, as well as and a copy of the designated driver's license. (For prior visitors to the base, Simon may have records on file. Check with the staff to verify if this is the case.)
4. If paperwork is missing or late, access to the base may be denied.

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