Makos or Marlins?

[Anonymous]

Moving to the DC area this summer. Moving to Fairfax area.

Looking for a larger club which is why we are debating between the Makos and the Marlins. Have a AAA swimmer in three events, close to AAAA in two of those. AA times and A times in the rest. Swimmer is 13.

Swimmer is pretty committed to swimming but not an intense personality so not looking for a club that is yardage focused or super intense coaching. Swimmer is wanting to swim in college but is only 13 so take that with a HUGE grain of salt. I don't count on that desire sticking at so young an age. Would like the club to have a little fun and socials.

From those that know these clubs which is the better fit.

[Anonymous]

As a parent whose 3 kids grew up in the Fairfax area and all swam D1, I think you should research all the clubs in your immediate area and try them out. Having friends on your club team that attend the same HS and/or summer swim team is a huge bonus. You want them to have fun! NCAP, MACH, Makos are all good teams along with some smaller ones too. Pick the program that your child enjoys most and the practice times work for your family.

[Anonymous]

I was told that NCAP and Machine are intense and not one to do fun stuff. They also seem priced higher for no discernible reason.

[Anonymous]

NCAP probably the highest-performance option. Attracts/retains kids who are both very talented and very dedicated to swimming. Most of the other Northern VA clubs have a wider range. Anecdotally, Machine seems to burn kids out. Makos has a strong teen group currently.

[Anonymous]

I echo what was said above about considering all the clubs before deciding.

We are a Marlins family (switched from NCAP in 2023). We are happy with the change - it has been good for our son. Nothing was “wrong” with NCAP but he felt he needed a change. One thing I would note is that the Marlins, for his age group, definitely have more girls than boys - if that matters to you/your child. Our NCAP site was pretty balanced in terms of boys and girls.

[Anonymous]

Both Makos and Marlins are good. Look at the schedules to see which works better for you.

[Anonymous]

I strongly encourage you to consider NCAP-Burke. We live in Fairfax too. You’re going to have a very strong cohort of kids with similar times to your child at NCAP-Burke, and the coaches are fantastic top to bottom. With your child being 13, you really need to consider the trajectory, and NCAP-Burke has that cohort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I strongly encourage you to consider NCAP-Burke. We live in Fairfax too. You’re going to have a very strong cohort of kids with similar times to your child at NCAP-Burke, and the coaches are fantastic top to bottom. With your child being 13, you really need to consider the trajectory, and NCAP-Burke has that cohort.

Your child will be in Silver I at NCAP-Burke. Here are the schedule options (note you can go in AM or in PM):
https://www.gomotionapp.com/pvncbf/UserFiles/Image/QuickUpload/schedule-september-june-22-23_098273.pdf

NCAP Burke does not share pool space with any other teams and does not have to close for all the reasons rec pools or GMU has to close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I strongly encourage you to consider NCAP-Burke. We live in Fairfax too. You’re going to have a very strong cohort of kids with similar times to your child at NCAP-Burke, and the coaches are fantastic top to bottom. With your child being 13, you really need to consider the trajectory, and NCAP-Burke has that cohort.

And the kids are so nice and well-balanced in that group! (Many swim for the same summer league team, Old Keene Mill, even though ther are a variety of different schooling options across the group — private, public, and homeschooling.)

[Anonymous]

Is your child a girl or boy? If a boy and getting those times at 13, you are looking at an extremely elite path (unless he is totally through puberty already). If a boy, NCAP. If a girl, possibly different trajectory but still would consider NCAP as another option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was told that NCAP and Machine are intense and not one to do fun stuff. They also seem priced higher for no discernible reason.

I caution against generalizations. There are 14 NCAP locations and probably a similar number for Machine. While we are a NCAP family due to Machine’s early morning practice schedule near us, I adore the Machine coaches and kids. The coaches are so engaged and excited about all of their kids. You can see this at meets. All NCAP and Machine locations have long course practices in summer. Go hang out with each group for some practices and see what you think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was told that NCAP and Machine are intense and not one to do fun stuff. They also seem priced higher for no discernible reason.

Disagree. NCAP family here and as another poster pointed out there are many sites. My swimmers has 8 others making the same cuts (sectionals, NCSA’s etc) and they are an extremely close cohort who hang out together a lot outside the pool.

[Anonymous]

NCAP-Burke is an excellent program and great for kids that feed in to Robinson/Lake Braddock or any of the other nearby high schools. Like another poster said, they own their pool and do not share the pool time or close as often as others do. They also offer afternoon practices for most of their groups.

[Anonymous]

Do some research on location coaches for NCAP. I have heard great things about the Burke locations and questionable about other locations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I strongly encourage you to consider NCAP-Burke. We live in Fairfax too. You’re going to have a very strong cohort of kids with similar times to your child at NCAP-Burke, and the coaches are fantastic top to bottom. With your child being 13, you really need to consider the trajectory, and NCAP-Burke has that cohort.

Makos also has a strong cohort including 13-14 (age of OP Child) and is a strong program with very nice practice facility. Ncap Burke practice facility is old, dated, and not nice.