NVSL McLean - best winter swimming options?

[Anonymous]

I'm so confused about what to do for my 7 year old for winter swimming. We live in McLean. Options seem to be:

Machine 1 or 2x per week - stroke mechanics only, DD is not skilled enough for the club swimming
Fish - I haven't checked it out yet, what is it and what's the difference between Fish and Machine?
Our pool's winter swim program 1x per week
Other stroke mechanics classes?
Private lessons if we can find them

I'd be fine with some combination of the above but I don't think our school year schedule can handle more than 2 days per week.

I have no idea what will actually help DD improve the most. Would appreciate advice!

[Anonymous]

A or B meet swimmer?

[Anonymous]

Fish is a club swim program. The Minis program is great with great coaches, but your kid will need to be legal in at least three strokes to try out.

[Anonymous]

There is also NCAP Marymount

[Anonymous]

If you live in McLean, you are at one of a few pools—all of which are in the upper 1-3 divisions with pretty solid developmental programs. Our pool sends out a list of local club and winter stroke options in the area (McLean/ARL). You might ask one of the 8&U coaches for a reco.

In short, you have several Mini options close by including FISH (excellent Mini program), York (up & coming w/ a strong 9-12 program), and AAC (hard to get into & practices at Long Bridge). Machine has the gears program, which leads into their 8&U progran. I think NCAP has a less robust mini program. All of these clubs will have requirements for try-outs with the expectation that 6-7 year olds can do 25 free with side breathing, 25 back without turning over, and probably 25 of dolphin kick. These are also teams so the practices are more regimented and less fun than summer.

If you want something lower key that’s more focused on stroke instruction: Swim Farm (run by the DR head coach), Tsunami (well connected with McLean, runs out of OneLife), and Norman (runs out of Yorktown/WL & uses a lot of the local teams’ HS-age swimmers as coaches). A bit longer of a drive, but we love the stroke instruction by the WeAquatics coaches. They coach out of Chinquapin.

[Anonymous]

If your child is not legal in all 4, I would recommend Tsunami. If they are legal, and are looking for endurance, then I would recommend any of the programs ( York, Fish, Machine, Norman) that are close to your house and work with your schedule.
Bear in mind, that Norman does not do meets, so is more low key/ less competitive.

We did Tsunami at age 7, Norman at age 8/9 and then one of the clubs from 9 onwards - initially 2x a week.

[Anonymous]

I would start slow if you have a 7 year old. If you want to go the "Club" option, I'd do the Machine stroke mechanics and that will really hone in on getting legal/stroke fundamentals. You won't be going to meets but I think that is fine.

If you just want to keep the enthusiasm up, definitely go for the Summer Team Winter program. It will probably be some of the same kids your child swims with anyway, and just keep them in the water.

The Clubs (Machine, Fish, York, etc) ramp up pretty quick (in my opinion too quick). At such a young age, I'd focus on keeping it fun and staying with friends. Don't worry so much about the competitiveness just yet - Winter Swim can be a long slog.

- NVSL D1 McLean parent with 2 swimmers

[Anonymous]

Avoid Norman Swimming like the plague.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Avoid Norman Swimming like the plague.

This person seems to have an issue with Norman. We had a great experience with them. It’s the program most like summer swim - probably not for you if you have the Olympics in mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Avoid Norman Swimming like the plague.

This person seems to have an issue with Norman. We had a great experience with them. It’s the program most like summer swim - probably not for you if you have the Olympics in mind.

I'm not the PP, but didn't like Norman. It was a zoo and there was no instruction. It's fine if you are just looking for pool time and are advanced enough that the others in your lane have some etiquette.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your child is not legal in all 4, I would recommend Tsunami. If they are legal, and are looking for endurance, then I would recommend any of the programs ( York, Fish, Machine, Norman) that are close to your house and work with your schedule.
Bear in mind, that Norman does not do meets, so is more low key/ less competitive.

We did Tsunami at age 7, Norman at age 8/9 and then one of the clubs from 9 onwards - initially 2x a week.

how does Tsunsmi operate?

[Anonymous]

Norman Swimming at Spring Hill: teenagers on their phones. Freestyle: kids turning fully on to their backs to breathe, doggy paddle with one arm. No instruction, no feedback, no drills. Just high schoolers getting paid to have fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child is not legal in all 4, I would recommend Tsunami. If they are legal, and are looking for endurance, then I would recommend any of the programs ( York, Fish, Machine, Norman) that are close to your house and work with your schedule.
Bear in mind, that Norman does not do meets, so is more low key/ less competitive.

We did Tsunami at age 7, Norman at age 8/9 and then one of the clubs from 9 onwards - initially 2x a week.

how does Tsunsmi operate?

There are 3 sessions a year. Your child is placed in an appropriate group. Link is below.

https://www.veraaquatics.com/stroke-school.php