Competitive Roster Groups

The Competitive Roster Group is designed for athletes who are ready to pursue the sport of swimming with commitment, consistency, and a competitive mindset. Spanning a broad age and skill range, this group provides a structured pathway for swimmers to develop from foundational racing skills to advanced performance at the North and Interior Divisional, BC provincial, Canadian Age-Group National and Canadian National levels.

Each roster within the Competitive Group supports athletes in progressing through age-appropriate stages of Appriate Athlete Development Model, from Learn to Train through Train to Compete. Technical excellence, physical literacy, mental focus, and leadership are cultivated at every level.

Swimmers train multiple times per week, learn to race across all strokes and distances, and are supported in setting and reaching performance goals. Emphasis is placed on developing strong technique, race strategies, and an understanding of energy systems, stroke mechanics, and competitive preparation. Athletes are expected to participate in sanctioned swim meets throughout the season.

This roster group includes:

• Polar Bears

• Kodiaks

• Silvertips (highest-level performance group)

Whether beginning their competitive journey or racing toward national qualifying times, swimmers in the Competitive Roster Group are coached to meet their full potential in a challenging, supportive, and team-driven environment.

Junior Competitive Roster Group

The Junior Competitive Roster Group is the transitional stream for swimmers who have progressed beyond foundational pre-competitive skills and are ready to begin structured training in a more focused, team-oriented environment, without the full commitment of the Competitive Roster. This group serves as a bridge between skill development and competitive performance, supporting swimmers as they build the habits, technique, and mindset needed for long-term success in the sport.

Swimmers in the Junior Competitive Group refine their technique across all four strokes, improve their starts, turns, and underwater skills, and begin training with purpose, consistency, and goal-setting. Practices emphasize proper mechanics, aerobic development, and race readiness, while continuing to foster a love for the sport.

The Junior Competitive stream includes:

• Panda Bears: Our entry-level junior competitive group for swimmers transitioning from Pre-Competitive. Focus is on mastering stroke technique and introducing structured interval-based training.

• Black Bears: Swimmers in this group begin to train more regularly and with increased intensity. They develop endurance and learn stroke-specific sets, with a goal of working toward qualifying times in the North & Interior Division.

• Brown Bears: The most advanced group within Junior Competitive. These athletes train at a higher volume and intensity, preparing for North & Interior Divisionals and transitioning into the Competitive Roster pathway.

The Junior Competitive program provides a crucial development phase where swimmers learn to balance fun, focus, and foundational training. Athletes are expected to demonstrate growing independence, commitment, and coachability as they progress. Entry into each group is based on skill level, training readiness, and coach assessment.

Whether a swimmer is just beginning to train like a competitor or preparing to enter full-time competitive programming, the Junior Competitive stream nurtures their growth with age-appropriate challenges in a positive, team-focused setting.

Non-Competitive Roster Group

The Non-Competitive Roster Group is designed for swimmers who wish to stay active and engaged in the sport of swimming without the expectations of formal racing. This pathway supports athletes who value swimming for fitness, technique, enjoyment, and personal challenge, rather than competition.

Athletes in this stream, such as those in the Grizzlies group, have typically developed strong foundational skills and may meet or exceed the technical and aerobic benchmarks of the club’s competitive groups. While they do not train for swim meets, they continue to refine technique, maintain conditioning, and participate in challenging and rewarding practices.

This roster is ideal for swimmers who:

• Have transitioned out of competitive swimming but want to stay in the water.

• Are focused on school, other sports, or life commitments but still enjoy swimming.

• Value being part of a swim community and want to train in a team environment.

• See swimming as a lifelong activity and want to maintain health and well-being through the sport.

The Non-Competitive stream supports the principles of Appropriate Athlete Development Model by ensuring every swimmer has a place to grow, move, and thrive—whether or not competition is part of their journey.

Pre-Competitive Roster Group

The Pre-Competitive Roster Group is where young swimmers at the Whitehorse Glacier Bears Swim Club begin their journey in the sport. This roster is designed for athletes who are learning to swim or transitioning into structured, skill-based training in a low-pressure, developmentally appropriate environment.

Swimmers in this group build confidence and comfort in the water while developing the essential techniques of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, along with core skills like streamlines, turns, and diving. Each program is tailored to the swimmer’s age and ability level:

• Gummie Bears is our most entry-level group, focused on water comfort, foundational movement, and fun.

• Teddy Bears continues skill development and introduces pre-competitive techniques and training structure.

• Cubs bridges the gap to the competitive stream, with athletes beginning to train with greater intensity and participate in introductory racing experiences.

All Pre-Competitive groups prioritize fun, skill development, and water safety, creating a positive foundation for future progression. Athletes are placed in the appropriate program based on their age, skill level, and readiness to advance.

Each roster in the Pre-Competitive stream offers three sessions per season, giving families flexibility to commit to one or more per year. Whether swimmers continue into the Competitive Roster or pursue lifelong aquatic skills, the Pre-Competitive program is where it all begins.

WGB Summer Swim Camps

Ages 6–17 | 3-Day Camps 

** All camp sessions take place in the main lap pool, with activities centered in the deep end. For safety reasons, all participants must be able to meet the Canada Games Centre swim test standard, which includes swimming two lengths of the pool unassisted.**

The WGB Summer Swim Clinics offer a dynamic, high-energy experience designed to keep young swimmers active and progressing during the summer months. Whether your child is a current member looking to maintain their technique or a new swimmer curious about competitive swimming, our summer clinics provide the perfect environment to learn, improve, and have fun in the water.

Program Overview

• Three camp groups based on age and skill level:

  • Ages 6–11

  • Ages 12–14

  • Ages 15–17

• 3 sessions per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)

• 6–7 week summer schedule

• Skill-focused training in all four competitive strokes, starts, and turns.

• Fun, engaging environment with friendly competitions and games

• Led by certified WGB coaches

Each 3-day camp is structured to build on the fundamentals of swimming while advancing skills in a supportive and motivating environment. For non-members, it’s an excellent introduction to the sport and a chance to try out club-style training.

Weekly Schedule (swimming in the main lap pool)

• Tuesday: Freestyle & Backstroke

• Wednesday: Breaststroke & Dolphin Kick / Intro to Butterfly

• Thursday: Dives, Turns & Friendly Competition

At the end of each camp, non-members will be invited to an informal assessment and introduction to club swimming, helping them explore the next steps if they’d like to join WGB.

Whether your swimmer is sharpening their strokes or just dipping their toes into the sport, the WGB Summer Clinics are the perfect place to grow skills, build confidence, and enjoy swimming all summer long.