Summer swim -- are we allowed to take a vacation?

[Anonymous]

I have a 7 and 9 yo who would like to try summer swim team with a NoVa club this summer. I don't expect either kid to be especially competitive--they're doing this for fun. As someone who knows absolutely nothing about swim, is it okay if we take a one week vacation during the summer swim season? My job doesn't allow me to take time in August and otherwise we won't have a summer vacation.

[Anonymous]

Yes. especially if they're not competitive.

[Anonymous]

Yes, of course you can take a vacation.

- A meet rep.

[Anonymous]

If your kid is competitive check with the team reps. At our pool, you are only allowed to mark 'not available' for an A meet once and still swim in divisionals. If you don't care or your kid doesn't care, then take the vacation.

[Anonymous]

Definitely fine. If your kids end up being really into the sport and competitive, you can start planning around the season IF it's that important to you and your kids. Some families on our team wait until after the season to travel because they know their kids will be in all stars etc. But most miss a week at some point in the season, if not more, because summer is short to begin with.

[Anonymous]

Yes! Summer swim is for fun, even if around here we treat it like it's a step to the Olympics. At our mid-tier pool families that are very serious about summer swim take vacations in August, but it is absolutely fine to take vacation, go to camp or whatever works for your family. My guess is the PP that said kids can only mark one A meet as unavailable is at a pool in one of the top 2 divisions.

- Team Rep

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is competitive check with the team reps. At our pool, you are only allowed to mark 'not available' for an A meet once and still swim in divisionals. If you don't care or your kid doesn't care, then take the vacation.

The divisionals point is a good one. Our team only lets kids who are available for both divisionals and all stars swim in the divisional meet, because divisionals is the only meet that can be used to qualify for all stars. If a kid swims in divisionals but then can't come to all stars they are taking a spot from a kid who might have been able to do both. Those meets are generally last two weeks of July. Not a concern if your kids are pretty new to swimming. If they end up being really good you can just sit out divisionals this year and plan around it for next summer.

[Anonymous]

You take the week before school

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. We'll book the vacation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is competitive check with the team reps. At our pool, you are only allowed to mark 'not available' for an A meet once and still swim in divisionals. If you don't care or your kid doesn't care, then take the vacation.

The divisionals point is a good one. Our team only lets kids who are available for both divisionals and all stars swim in the divisional meet, because divisionals is the only meet that can be used to qualify for all stars. If a kid swims in divisionals but then can't come to all stars they are taking a spot from a kid who might have been able to do both. Those meets are generally last two weeks of July. Not a concern if your kids are pretty new to swimming. If they end up being really good you can just sit out divisionals this year and plan around it for next summer.

There are always 2 alternates for All-Stars.

[Anonymous]

Umm yes, you can always take a vacation even if you are the best swimmer on the team. It is summer swim - keep it in perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Umm yes, you can always take a vacation even if you are the best swimmer on the team. It is summer swim - keep it in perspective.

This, FFS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Umm yes, you can always take a vacation even if you are the best swimmer on the team. It is summer swim - keep it in perspective.

Totally in perspective. I didn't grow up in an area with swim, but have seen threads on DCUM about not traveling during summer swim season. Just checking before I pay deposits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Umm yes, you can always take a vacation even if you are the best swimmer on the team. It is summer swim - keep it in perspective.

This, FFS.

This was aimed at other posters, not Op, who honestly didn’t know.

Totally fine, OP - book away and have fun!

[Anonymous]

It is basically a rec sport that people obsess over. You pay to be on the team and can definitely go on vacation.