NCAP 8U: Holton vs AU differences?
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Anonymous
| Does anyone have personal experience with an 8 & under swimmer at either the NCAP Holton Arms site with Mary Dowling or the NCAP AU site with Andy Rosenthal? Wondering if one site is more touchy feely than another, or if coaching is different, or if one is more competitive/harder to get into than the other, etc…? One difference I see on their schedules is that bronze II says 9 & under at AU but only 8 & under at Holton, but not sure how that affects practices. My kiddo is 7 and new to competitive swimming. TIA for any insight! |
Anonymous
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8&U @ AU was great. Andy was not the hands on coach but it was Coach Kyra and she was awesome. At times, they had to practice at Holton and from what I gathered it seems that Coach Mary provides more feedback to swimmers but in fairness, Coach sure provided feedback but we could not hear it as there is a massive glass wall and you're upstairs (you can only see and not here at AU). In any event, I think either would be great for your kid. Two thumbs up for NCAP
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Anonymous
| Mary Dowling is one of the best coaches in the PVS. You’d be insane not to go with her |
Anonymous
+1. |
Anonymous
+2 |
Anonymous
| DP what are the expectations for 8&Us to make NCAP? Legal in all 4 strokes for a full 25 or 50m? |
Anonymous
For the sites that have 8U programs you don’t have to be legal in all 4 for a 50. Most of the mini meets start with 25s for the 8Us with a 50 free mixed in. I also wouldn’t say you need to be perfectly legal in all 4. Your swimmer should have a basic understanding of fly and breast but if they are still working on being legal consistently that is ok. To the OPs question, my kid has never been actually coached by Mary but knows her from travel meets she’s been the coach for and she’s awesome. |
Anonymous
| Mary and Andy are both great coaches. I would focus on the site that is more convenient for you. |
Anonymous
| Go to what site you ar closest to. NCAP germantown also has 8 under program that seems good |
Anonymous
| OP here - thanks everyone, for your input! |