swim parents: Why is NCap so expensive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NCAP family here with only rave reviews. The coaches are terrific, the workouts are solid, and the atmosphere is healthy for the kids with just the right amount of challenge to not over or underwhelm them. My kids are thriving and we wouldn't go anywhere else.

It depends on the facility. We left NCAP because it was just going through the motions. Promotions seemed to be based only on age and most of the kids were barely improving. The program at the pool our kid went to was smaller, so maybe the larger ones are better.

Agreed- so disappointed with our current location! Yes, we will switch!!! Prospective families, do your homework! Quality varies wildly by site and group!

It's not that easy to switch sites within NCAP.

What they really need to do is have an "elite" group where the fastest swimmers from each site go to- unless of course you are at West and get lucky all the way through with great age group and Open group coaches from 10 and up.

Where exactly would you propose that all these kids meet daily that would be convenient for families all over the NCAP empire? Joining another nearby team seems like a much more practical option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NCAP family here with only rave reviews. The coaches are terrific, the workouts are solid, and the atmosphere is healthy for the kids with just the right amount of challenge to not over or underwhelm them. My kids are thriving and we wouldn't go anywhere else.

It depends on the facility. We left NCAP because it was just going through the motions. Promotions seemed to be based only on age and most of the kids were barely improving. The program at the pool our kid went to was smaller, so maybe the larger ones are better.

Agreed- so disappointed with our current location! Yes, we will switch!!! Prospective families, do your homework! Quality varies wildly by site and group!

It's not that easy to switch sites within NCAP.

What they really need to do is have an "elite" group where the fastest swimmers from each site go to- unless of course you are at West and get lucky all the way through with great age group and Open group coaches from 10 and up.

Where exactly would you propose that all these kids meet daily that would be convenient for families all over the NCAP empire? Joining another nearby team seems like a much more practical option.

+1, because NCAP is so large and covers so much territory this just isn’t feasible. The best kids at West (Jeremy Linn’s group) are practicing in a facility that’s in Fauquier County. No matter how great that site is people aren’t going to drive every day from Bethesda/Arlington/Alexandria to Vint Hill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NCAP family here with only rave reviews. The coaches are terrific, the workouts are solid, and the atmosphere is healthy for the kids with just the right amount of challenge to not over or underwhelm them. My kids are thriving and we wouldn't go anywhere else.

It depends on the facility. We left NCAP because it was just going through the motions. Promotions seemed to be based only on age and most of the kids were barely improving. The program at the pool our kid went to was smaller, so maybe the larger ones are better.

Agreed- so disappointed with our current location! Yes, we will switch!!! Prospective families, do your homework! Quality varies wildly by site and group!

It's not that easy to switch sites within NCAP.

What they really need to do is have an "elite" group where the fastest swimmers from each site go to- unless of course you are at West and get lucky all the way through with great age group and Open group coaches from 10 and up.

Where exactly would you propose that all these kids meet daily that would be convenient for families all over the NCAP empire? Joining another nearby team seems like a much more practical option.

+1, because NCAP is so large and covers so much territory this just isn’t feasible. The best kids at West (Jeremy Linn’s group) are practicing in a facility that’s in Fauquier County. No matter how great that site is people aren’t going to drive every day from Bethesda/Arlington/Alexandria to Vint Hill.

Exactly. My top level swimmer has put some considerable thought into leaving their location (not NCAP). There just aren't a lot of viable locations for practice after school, especially for those getting out of school in the 3 o'clock hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NCAP family here with only rave reviews. The coaches are terrific, the workouts are solid, and the atmosphere is healthy for the kids with just the right amount of challenge to not over or underwhelm them. My kids are thriving and we wouldn't go anywhere else.

Let me guess: You’re at West

No, Lee District.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NCAP family here with only rave reviews. The coaches are terrific, the workouts are solid, and the atmosphere is healthy for the kids with just the right amount of challenge to not over or underwhelm them. My kids are thriving and we wouldn't go anywhere else.

It depends on the facility. We left NCAP because it was just going through the motions. Promotions seemed to be based only on age and most of the kids were barely improving. The program at the pool our kid went to was smaller, so maybe the larger ones are better.

Agreed- so disappointed with our current location! Yes, we will switch!!! Prospective families, do your homework! Quality varies wildly by site and group!

It's not that easy to switch sites within NCAP.

What they really need to do is have an "elite" group where the fastest swimmers from each site go to- unless of course you are at West and get lucky all the way through with great age group and Open group coaches from 10 and up.


Obviously they need to separate MD v VA. Not rocket science.

Where exactly would you propose that all these kids meet daily that would be convenient for families all over the NCAP empire? Joining another nearby team seems like a much more practical option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NCAP family here with only rave reviews. The coaches are terrific, the workouts are solid, and the atmosphere is healthy for the kids with just the right amount of challenge to not over or underwhelm them. My kids are thriving and we wouldn't go anywhere else.

It depends on the facility. We left NCAP because it was just going through the motions. Promotions seemed to be based only on age and most of the kids were barely improving. The program at the pool our kid went to was smaller, so maybe the larger ones are better.

Agreed- so disappointed with our current location! Yes, we will switch!!! Prospective families, do your homework! Quality varies wildly by site and group!

It's not that easy to switch sites within NCAP.

What they really need to do is have an "elite" group where the fastest swimmers from each site go to- unless of course you are at West and get lucky all the way through with great age group and Open group coaches from 10 and up.


Obviously they need to separate MD v VA. Not rocket science.

Where exactly would you propose that all these kids meet daily that would be convenient for families all over the NCAP empire? Joining another nearby team seems like a much more practical option.

Obviously they need to separate MD swimmers and VA swimmers. It’s not rocket science, duh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is there so much variation across sites/groups?

They’re franchises.

This. The disparity of quality across sites is maddening.

[Anonymous]

The quality of coaching is always variable from level to level, site to site in any big club. A big program site that has outstanding coaches at all or even most levels is unusual. And even "great" coaches may not seem "great" to some families. Coaching philosophy and style that work well for one swimmer are terrible for another. It is true in minis, age group, high school levels, college and even pros. Look at how many of pros are jumping around between coaches and pro training groups now.

[Anonymous]

This may be true but then why the price tag compared to say RMSC? What’s the value added if they don’t have consistently high-quality coaching across sites?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This may be true but then why the price tag compared to say RMSC? What’s the value added if they don’t have consistently high-quality coaching across sites?

You can’t really compare RMSC pricing because the sites are subsidized by the City of Rockville and Montgomery County. But yes, NCAP is probably the most expensive club option in the area. As others have pointed out there are some great sites/coaches but it is a big franchise and not uniform across the board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This may be true but then why the price tag compared to say RMSC? What’s the value added if they don’t have consistently high-quality coaching across sites?

You can’t really compare RMSC pricing because the sites are subsidized by the City of Rockville and Montgomery County. But yes, NCAP is probably the most expensive club option in the area. As others have pointed out there are some great sites/coaches but it is a big franchise and not uniform across the board.

RMSC is not subsidized by the county or city of Rockville. You repeat this frequently but it’s not true. NCAP is for profit which makes it more expensive- plus they pay their coaches more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This may be true but then why the price tag compared to say RMSC? What’s the value added if they don’t have consistently high-quality coaching across sites?

You can’t really compare RMSC pricing because the sites are subsidized by the City of Rockville and Montgomery County. But yes, NCAP is probably the most expensive club option in the area. As others have pointed out there are some great sites/coaches but it is a big franchise and not uniform across the board.

RMSC is not subsidized by the county or city of Rockville. You repeat this frequently but it’s not true. NCAP is for profit which makes it more expensive- plus they pay their coaches more.

Really? So how much does RMSC pay to the county for pool time in county-owned pools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This may be true but then why the price tag compared to say RMSC? What’s the value added if they don’t have consistently high-quality coaching across sites?

You can’t really compare RMSC pricing because the sites are subsidized by the City of Rockville and Montgomery County. But yes, NCAP is probably the most expensive club option in the area. As others have pointed out there are some great sites/coaches but it is a big franchise and not uniform across the board.

RMSC is not subsidized by the county or city of Rockville. You repeat this frequently but it’s not true. NCAP is for profit which makes it more expensive- plus they pay their coaches more.

Really? So how much does RMSC pay to the county for pool time in county-owned pools?

The answer is that RMSC pays nothing for use of those pools (and on top of that, other clubs aren't even allowed to rent those facilities). That is a gigantic subsidy. These pools cost millions of dollars to build, maintain and operate, and the county taxpayer pays for all of it. Other clubs have to pay rental fees to schools other pool owners (which then use those fees to defray the cost of building and operating the pools) or build and run their own pools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This may be true but then why the price tag compared to say RMSC? What’s the value added if they don’t have consistently high-quality coaching across sites?

You can’t really compare RMSC pricing because the sites are subsidized by the City of Rockville and Montgomery County. But yes, NCAP is probably the most expensive club option in the area. As others have pointed out there are some great sites/coaches but it is a big franchise and not uniform across the board.

RMSC is not subsidized by the county or city of Rockville. You repeat this frequently but it’s not true. NCAP is for profit which makes it more expensive- plus they pay their coaches more.

Really? So how much does RMSC pay to the county for pool time in county-owned pools?

The answer is that RMSC pays nothing for use of those pools (and on top of that, other clubs aren't even allowed to rent those facilities). That is a gigantic subsidy. These pools cost millions of dollars to build, maintain and operate, and the county taxpayer pays for all of it. Other clubs have to pay rental fees to schools other pool owners (which then use those fees to defray the cost of building and operating the pools) or build and run their own pools.

Sigh. Not this same discussion on every thread where you repeatedly bash RMSC. Are you a NCRAP employee?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This may be true but then why the price tag compared to say RMSC? What’s the value added if they don’t have consistently high-quality coaching across sites?

You can’t really compare RMSC pricing because the sites are subsidized by the City of Rockville and Montgomery County. But yes, NCAP is probably the most expensive club option in the area. As others have pointed out there are some great sites/coaches but it is a big franchise and not uniform across the board.

RMSC is not subsidized by the county or city of Rockville. You repeat this frequently but it’s not true. NCAP is for profit which makes it more expensive- plus they pay their coaches more.

Really? So how much does RMSC pay to the county for pool time in county-owned pools?

The answer is that RMSC pays nothing for use of those pools (and on top of that, other clubs aren't even allowed to rent those facilities). That is a gigantic subsidy. These pools cost millions of dollars to build, maintain and operate, and the county taxpayer pays for all of it. Other clubs have to pay rental fees to schools other pool owners (which then use those fees to defray the cost of building and operating the pools) or build and run their own pools.

Sigh. Not this same discussion on every thread where you repeatedly bash RMSC. Are you a NCRAP employee?

Is anything above incorrect? Does RMSC pay fees to use the pools? If so, how much?