Changing summer teams at older ages

[Anonymous]

Have any of you changed summer teams/pools for your kids when they were 12+? We are at a D1 pool and my kids are so tired of the lack of fun our swim team has because we're at a D1 pool. My kids enjoy swimming as a sport, but do not enjoy participating with this team in the summer. It's intense for their personalities and swim is just super serious here. They've wanted to change pools for 2-3 seasons now and I've resisted because we enjoy our pool activities outside of the swim team. However, this summer I am really seeing the cliques form, how the coach interacts with the competitive and recreational swimmers and do wonder if it's now time to change for more enjoyable team experiences. I know lots of kids quit around 13/14, which we're approaching. Just curious if anyone has changed pools/teams when their kids were a bit older for a more fun summer swim experience. We would change to a neighborhood D2 pool that they also have closer friends at though I know it would take some time for them to meet new kids and cliques are everywhere once you hit the teens, etc. The coach at this D2 pool is also know for being engaging and inclusive of the entire team. Just trying to the weigh the pros and cons.

[Anonymous]

Our double-digit division always welcomes newcomers because we are a very small team and are grateful for new faces (while we have some competitive age groups, others can't fill lanes). We had a family arrive last year with two older swimmers (11 and 13) and they were welcomed with open arms and integrated right in. So I wouldn't say that switching teams in and of itself has to be a social struggle. No idea about upper divisions, though.

[Anonymous]

I’m guessing you are at tuckahoe and thinking of switching to either high point or McLean. Assuming I am right, are you high on the waitlist at those pools such that you will get a spot? Both HPP and McLean are very different facilities than tuckahoe. I happen to love them both but it could really feel like a downgrade. Do your teens know enough teens on the teams that they will actually keep swimming?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m guessing you are at tuckahoe and thinking of switching to either high point or McLean. Assuming I am right, are you [/b]high on the waitlist at those pools such that you will get a spot? [b]Both HPP and McLean are very different facilities than tuckahoe. I happen to love them both but it could really feel like a downgrade. Do your teens know enough teens on the teams that they will actually keep swimming?

Despite what people say if you’re a really good swimmer it doesn’t matter if you’re on the list at all.

[Anonymous]

How would it work with your memberships? Is there a waitlist at the other club? What would you do with your current membership? Ours doesn’t have a waitlist, which is good for people coming in but if someone leaves they typically try to find someone to take over their membership if they can or they just let the club eventually take it over.

[Anonymous]

I think if your kid has friends at the other pools, worth a switch. But does your kid do club? Club swimmers don't usually go to summer practices, so it may not make huge difference

Also, we are in a top div. I think they can all be the same, and depends on the rep, etc as to how things go. Unfortunately, some parents lose sight of how it should be fun for all

[Anonymous]

Yes, switched from division 3 pool to division 11 pool and it is great. My kid has so much more fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m guessing you are at tuckahoe and thinking of switching to either high point or McLean. Assuming I am right, are you [/b]high on the waitlist at those pools such that you will get a spot? [b]Both HPP and McLean are very different facilities than tuckahoe. I happen to love them both but it could really feel like a downgrade. Do your teens know enough teens on the teams that they will actually keep swimming?

Despite what people say if you’re a really good swimmer it doesn’t matter if you’re on the list at all.

umm- I don't know about McLean, but HPP definitely doesn't allow 'really good swimmers' or anyone else to jump the waitlist. I would be pretty surprised if McLean allowed for waitlist movement for good swimmers either, but I don't have personal knowledge.

[Anonymous]

We are in a different league but are also considering switching for next summer to a more low key pool. We are in a top division - our kids are top 1/2 swimmers on the team - but it’s a lot of pressure and not too much fun.

[Anonymous]

I have seen families belong to two pools for a couple of seasons to have kids do swim team at one pool and keep up the social connections/membership at the long-term preferred pool. Just a thought.

I do think a lot of kids just naturally drop off at that age (13/14) regardless of what level the pool is. We were at a mid-level Division pool previously and we also see significant drop off in the older age groups. They get jobs, have other preferred activities and friendships, etc. I don't think it's a guarantee you would jump at that age and it would be a wholly different experience.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think there sounds like a downside if your kids are going to have more fun. Are you sure you could even get a spot at the new pool? If you could afford to have 2 memberships that might be a way to try out the new pool next summer and not lose your place at the current pool.

[Anonymous]

We're at a D2 pool and the kids on the team change a bit every year. Every year we have tweens/teens join who previously only swam winter swim and have friends on the team who convinced them to try summer.
I think that it's really easy to make friends during summer swim if your kids are willing to go to the events. My kids aren't super friendly, but they always find their summer friends and make new ones. Being on the relay is the quickest way to make friends, but even if that doesn't happen, most kids are welcoming

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have seen families belong to two pools for a couple of seasons to have kids do swim team at one pool and keep up the social connections/membership at the long-term preferred pool. Just a thought.

I do think a lot of kids just naturally drop off at that age (13/14) regardless of what level the pool is. We were at a mid-level Division pool previously and we also see significant drop off in the older age groups. They get jobs, have other preferred activities and friendships, etc. I don't think it's a guarantee you would jump at that age and it would be a wholly different experience.

My kid has a friend whose family does this. They use the neighborhood pool for social reasons and the kids swim on the team at a different pool. I’m sure they have reasons, but it isn’t a matter of significant differences in competition as the pools are currently in the same division.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think there sounds like a downside if your kids are going to have more fun. Are you sure you could even get a spot at the new pool? If you could afford to have 2 memberships that might be a way to try out the new pool next summer and not lose your place at the current pool.

There are always pools that will take club swimmers.

[Anonymous]

If it’s McLean Swim and Tennis, we usually have a lot of membership turnover so you should be able to get in. If your kids are in McLean schools and /or in club swim - they will know a lot kids and will have fun.