Kicking Off Short Course Season: Let’s Dive In!

Summer is winding down, and that means one thing for swimmers everywhere – short course season is here! As we trade in outdoor long course meters for indoor 25-yard pools, it’s the perfect time to set fresh goals, build technique, and get excited for the season ahead.

💡 What is short course season?

Short course season runs from fall through winter, with meets held in 25-yard pools. It’s a time for:

✅ More turns and underwaters.
With shorter pool lengths, swimmers focus heavily on turns, push-offs, and streamline skills to maximize speed.

✅ Building aerobic and technical foundations.
Short course sets often include higher yardage with a focus on efficiency and stroke mechanics.

✅ Fun meets and fast times.
Many swimmers see time drops from last season thanks to summer training gains.

🔑 Why is short course important?

🏊‍♂️ Turns and underwaters make a big difference.
Mastering flip turns, open turns, and underwater dolphin kicks can be the difference between winning a heat or missing a cut.

🏅 It sets up long course success.
Strong short course technique translates to stronger performances in long course season later in the year.

💛 It keeps swimmers engaged.
Frequent meets, team bonding, and focusing on personal goals keep motivation high during the school year.

📝 Tips to kick off the season strong

✅ Set goals early.
What time cuts or skills does your swimmer want to achieve by winter championships?

✅ Focus on details.
Encourage your swimmer to prioritize streamlines, turns, and breakouts at every practice.

✅ Stay healthy.
Short course overlaps with cold and flu season. Remind swimmers to eat well, hydrate, and get enough sleep to keep their immune systems strong.

✅ Celebrate small wins.
From mastering a new turn to improving practice consistency, every step forward matters.

💭 Final thoughts

Short course season is a time for growth, fun, and teamwork. As we dive back into indoor pools and racing, let’s encourage our swimmers to embrace challenges, learn from every race, and enjoy the journey.

Here’s to a season full of confidence, progress, and fast swims!