Pool recommendations Alexandria

[Anonymous]

Totally new to the pool club / swim team world, but looking for a fun, friendly place to swim this summer. My 7 year old is interested in trying summer swim team. Any recommendations for pools without wait lists in Alexandria?

And a question, during swim team practice is the pool available for parents to swim in as well?

[Anonymous]

What area of Alexandria? That is broad.

Generally parents do not swim when the team is practicing because they use all the lanes for the team. You drop off and then pick up.

[Anonymous]

Of you are west Alexandria Annandale Swim Club has no waitlist and is not too far. Also look into Forest Hollow swim club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Totally new to the pool club / swim team world, but looking for a fun, friendly place to swim this summer. My 7 year old is interested in trying summer swim team. Any recommendations for pools without wait lists in Alexandria?

And a question, during swim team practice is the pool available for parents to swim in as well?

Most pools have swim team practice before the pool opens to the membership and so parents cannot swim. Before school let’s put they do afternoon practice so you generally can swim, but it depends on the pool how much space is available to the membership

[Anonymous]

Depending on where in Alexandria maybe Dowden Terrace or Holmes Run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depending on where in Alexandria maybe Dowden Terrace or Holmes Run.

Holmes Run is between Falls Church and Annandale.

Broyhill Crest would be closer. Dowden Terrace is in chaos and their parent culture/pool culture is toxic.

[Anonymous]

OP I would move fast. A lot of teams already are filled or closed registration.

Also look at the division the team is in if swimming A meets is important. Lower division more likely to be a super star on the team and that can be a good experience.

[Anonymous]

All the ones I know of in Alexandria (Waynewood, Parklawn, Mansion House, Little Hunting Park) have a wait-list. The ones in Springfield/Annandale tend to have spaces because there's so many of them density wise.

[Anonymous]

Virginia Hills has no wait list!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depending on where in Alexandria maybe Dowden Terrace or Holmes Run.

Holmes Run is between Falls Church and Annandale.

Broyhill Crest would be closer. Dowden Terrace is in chaos and their parent culture/pool culture is toxic. [/quote]

We just joined Dowden - anyone have any other comments on the pool and swim team????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depending on where in Alexandria maybe Dowden Terrace or Holmes Run.

Holmes Run is between Falls Church and Annandale.

Broyhill Crest would be closer. Dowden Terrace is in chaos and their parent culture/pool culture is toxic.

Yes, but depending on where in Alexandria and the waitlists near them it could be an option if they're willing to drive a little bit. We have friends who live north of Rt 50 in Arlington who go there because the waitlists for pools in Arlington are ridiculously long.

[Anonymous]

Is Dowden really that bad? Besides there big drop from the top of NVSL?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Is Dowden really that bad? Besides there big drop from the top of NVSL?

The parents have sort of been known to not be super welcoming to other teams. There is a weird dynamic. The former coach was really nice but he left.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Is Dowden really that bad? Besides there big drop from the top of NVSL?

Dowden is a friendly and welcoming pool community. The facility is small and dated, and that’s reflected in the membership costs relative to the rest of this area. We have enjoyed our time there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Is Dowden really that bad? Besides there big drop from the top of NVSL?

Dowden is a friendly and welcoming pool community. The facility is small and dated, and that’s reflected in the membership costs relative to the rest of this area. We have enjoyed our time there.

I just went to the site and memberships are expensive. You could join Lincolnia or Parklawn for the same price (both very close) with much nicer facilities.