KISU was founded in the fall of 1981, as a competitive swim club, at the same time that the new indoor pool in Penticton opened. The first coach, Debbie Millar, and 25 members began what has become one of the most respected swim clubs in the Okanagan.

The name, KISU, is the Interior Salish Indian word for steelhead, referring to the ocean going trout. Being internationally renowned as one of the best fighting fish, the powerful steelhead, or KISU, was a suitable name to represent the finest of the Okanagan's swimmers.

The KISU Swim Club is located in Penticton, British Columbia. The Club trains at the Penticton Community Center Pool, 325 Powers Street.

The KISU Swim Club has several different training groups. Generally, the training groups are put together at the beginning of the season and progress together throughout the season. Unlike swim lessons, a swimmer is not expected to move to the next group within a season. The whole group progresses together.

Occasionally there will be an exception to this rule. If a swimmer progresses beyond his or her peers in the group, he or she may be asked to move into the next group. A letter will be sent home to the parents, notifying them of this situation and the change in times and fees. The parents will have to make arrangements with the registrar, have the letter signed and sent back to practice with the swimmer.

Mini Squad

The Mini Squad group focuses on the basic skills of swimming. Starting off with body movement and breathing skills, they will progress towards an introduction to all four strokes and basic start and turn. Mini Squad swimmers will also work on developing their endurance and fitness. Mini Squad swimmers will be predominantly in the shallow end of the pool, swimming across the width. They will occasionally go to the deep end to practice their starts/dives and endurance. Mini Squad swimmers will be encouraged to compete in KISU Mini Meets and depending on their ability and desire possibly our invitational or regional meets. Depending on the time slot and demand, there may be two or three Mini Squad classes. The coaches will divide the swimmers up equally, based on ability, numbers and dynamics. The pre-requisites of the Mini Squad group are 5 years of age and the ability to swim across the width of the pool or Swim Kids 3. Before moving into the Junior level they should have well-developed backstroke and freestyle (with bilateral breathing), recognizable butterfly and breaststroke (with a legal breast kick).

Juniors

The Junior group focuses on the further development of the strokes and an introduction to group training. These swimmers will be swimming in the 25m lanes of the pool. They will work on their strokes through a variety of drills. They will also gain an understanding of basic training, lane etiquette and using the pace clock. They Will become familiar with competitive starts and turns. Junior swimmers are encouraged to compete at our invitational and regional swim meets. The pre-requisites of the Junior group are an understanding of all four strokes (including a legal breast kick) or Swim Kids 8. Before moving into the Age Group training group, swimmers must have legal strokes, a good understanding of lane etiquette, how to use the pace clock, the ability to lead a lane and good training ethic.

Super Juniors

Super Juniors is a sub-group of Juniors. It was created for Junior swimmers who had already been in the program for a year or two, but were not ready to move on because of their age.

Age Group

The Age Group training group focuses on fine-tuning of the four competitive strokes and the introduction of training principles. Through the introduction of demanding stroke drills and more complex pace clockwork, these swimmers will progress both in skills and fitness. These athletes will also be introduced to dry-land warm up. Age Group swimmers are encouraged to compete at our invitational, regional, travel and qualifying (AA's) meets. With the rebuilding of the club, there will be a noticeable rise in the quality of this group as the standards change to get into the Senior group.

Intermediates

The intermediate group was created when Seniors moved to a later time for more lane space. It was created as a group between Juniors and Age Group, allowing the Age Group to advance in skills and age.

Senior Development

Senior Development is for swimmers 14 years and older who are not quite at the Senior level. This program was developed for a number of swimmers who were older and almost at the Senior level. It will run with the Seniors on Tuesdays and Thursdays (when there are 3 lanes), Fridays and Saturdays as well as one early morning practice a week (probably Monday). The commitment level will be 4 to 5 practices a week as we work towards getting you fitter and faster than you have ever been.

Seniors

The Senior Group focuses on further fine-tuning of strokes and the development of training principles and practice. The swimmers of this group are expected to have well-developed strokes and an understanding of training principles. Their training will encompass all areas of swimming including dry-land strength/flexibility training and morning practices. Senior swimmers are encouraged to compete at all levels of swimming. Their competitive schedule will be determined by the meets they qualify for.

YES Swimmers -Young Enabled Swimmers

The KISU YES program is for swimmers with physical disabilities. The water allows these athletes a freedom that many never experience on land. The Canadian and International Swimming Associations have a well-developed program to allow these athletes to participate and compete with one another.

Masters

KISU Masters swimming is for adults who would like to pursue both stroke improvement and fitness in a fun workout. The pre-requisite is comfort in the water and the ability to swim approximately 40 lengths non-continuously. Training times are Monday thru Friday, 6 -7 am. Come join us!!