Clark High School

Schedule & Location

• Days: Monday through Friday (4 days a week; the specific day off is subject to change).
• Time (1st Period): 6:50 AM – 9:00 AM.
• Location: Northside Natatorium (8400 N Loop 1604 W, San Antonio, TX 78249).
• Course Code: Athletes must be registered in ATH SWIM.

Typical Daily Routine

• Warm-up: 5–10 minutes of dryland stretching outside the water.
• Dryland Training: Strength and conditioning (held 2 days a week in the open area/weight room).
• Swim Practice: 1:30 to 2:00 hours of pool training.
• Note: Training groups will be split into interval or stroke-specific groups depending on pool availability.

Punctuality & Attendance Expectations

• Arrival: Athletes must be in their assigned area (pool deck or weight room) and ready to start by 6:50 AM. Arriving late results in immediate consequences (like air squats) and may impact relay opportunities.
• Weekly Requirement: Swimmers are expected to attend all 4 weekly practices.
• The 90% Rule: Maintaining an overall attendance rate above 90% is mandatory to remain eligible for relay spots.
• School Credit Warning: Missing more than 8 practices can result in a loss of school credit for 1st period per district policy.
• Absence Communication: Any absence must be communicated via SportsYou or email at least 24 hours in advance.

Required Gear & Attire

• Dryland Attire: Tennis shoes, shorts/pants, and a t-shirt.
• Pool Gear: Swimsuit, cap, goggles, fins, and a snorkel (optional).

Transportation

• Post-Practice: Transportation back to the Clark High School campus is provided via bus departing at 9:15 AM. Athletes are also permitted to drive themselves back to campus.

Holiday Training Commitments

• Practice continues through major breaks to maintain conditioning. Swimmers are expected to attend scheduled sessions during Thanksgiving week, Winter break, MLK Day, and President’s Day.

Season Timeline & Phases

Our official competitive swim season begins in mid-to-late October immediately following the conclusion of the Water Polo season, and concludes in mid-February at the State Championships. Because of the condensed time frame, our training is highly structured to ensure peak performance when it matters most (note that the length of each stage is subject to change):

• Foundation Stage (2 Weeks): Transition from water polo to swim; focus on technique, building habits, and general fitness.
• Base Building Stage (4 Weeks): Increased aerobic intensity and peak training volume.
• Competition Stage (4 Weeks): Shifting focus to main individual events while maintaining aerobic capacity.
• Specific Prep Stage (2–3 Weeks): Increased intensity and rest, with a strategic decrease in total volume.
• Taper Stage (2–3 Weeks): Lowering volume to peak for the Championship season, starting with Districts in late January.

Off-Season Expectations (Fall & Spring/Summer)

Because we share the athletic period, expectations are divided based on whether swimming is in-season or off-season:

• Fall Off-Season (August – October): While the official swim season is on pause and water polo is using the pool in its full capacity, swim-only athletes will still have clear, structured expectations during the 1st-period athletic slot. (Note: Specific dryland or independent workout expectations for swim-only athletes during these months are currently being finalized and will be posted here soon.)
• Spring & Summer Off-Season: Official off-season swim practices resume after Spring Break, focusing on stroke technique and team bonding.
• Summer Commitment: To successfully start a new season, athletes are expected to stay conditioned through the summer by participating in a summer swim league or joining a club team.