DC Wave tryouts question

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC Wave is not disorganized at all, but there will be two issues with joining the team. 1) I’d be surprised if they offer alternate dates, but you could ask. 2) even if your kid passes the tryout they have nowhere near enough spots for all the kids. Last year there were three places for new kids in the Dev 1 group at Wilson and more than 100 trying out. My sense was that at least half of those kids, probably more, were recommended for the team.

The problem this year is exacerbated as existing swimmers get to register first. After that, the kids on last years waitlist who passed the tryouts but didn’t get on the team due to lack of places get to register and only if there are any remaining places do new kids get a chance. I would expect few places.

Good luck!

There have been a lot of parents and coaches unhappy with communication, organization and responsiveness this year. It is not one of the more well-run teams. In addition, very few talented swimmers stay with DC Wave long term, which makes it harder for the kids who take swimming seriously, because they don't have a lot of peers in the pool with them. Your kids will make friends with their teammates, which makes starting with a new team suck, after you have figured out that DC Wave is not going to be a good fit for most serious swimmers.

Given that there are also so few spots, looking into other programs, especially if they are close to your house, is smart.

What exactly is wrong with communication? I have two kids in the program and have found all communication to be timely and all questions responded to reasonably. My kids “take swimming seriously” whatever that means and have no problem with peers either, but it’s not a program that’s going to produce Olympic swimmers.

Kids in the wrong practice group. Kids not being let in off the waitlist when large numbers of kids are not showing up ever - for the entire season. Coaches not showing up and it not being communicated to parents. No suggestions for what a swimmer should be swimming in meets. No focus on technical instruction. They don't even bother to field relay teams.

And yes, when a swimmer gets to a certain level, most leave the program.

The only one that fits with my kids’ experience (and I know kids were taken in from the waitlist, for example and had great coach communication) is the limited emphasis on technical instruction. I guess it depends on the coach. Not sure how kids showing up for the wrong practice group is an organizational issue, but not one I’ve seen or heard of among the two groups I’m familiar with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC Wave is not disorganized at all, but there will be two issues with joining the team. 1) I’d be surprised if they offer alternate dates, but you could ask. 2) even if your kid passes the tryout they have nowhere near enough spots for all the kids. Last year there were three places for new kids in the Dev 1 group at Wilson and more than 100 trying out. My sense was that at least half of those kids, probably more, were recommended for the team.

The problem this year is exacerbated as existing swimmers get to register first. After that, the kids on last years waitlist who passed the tryouts but didn’t get on the team due to lack of places get to register and only if there are any remaining places do new kids get a chance. I would expect few places.

Good luck!

There have been a lot of parents and coaches unhappy with communication, organization and responsiveness this year. It is not one of the more well-run teams. In addition, very few talented swimmers stay with DC Wave long term, which makes it harder for the kids who take swimming seriously, because they don't have a lot of peers in the pool with them. Your kids will make friends with their teammates, which makes starting with a new team suck, after you have figured out that DC Wave is not going to be a good fit for most serious swimmers.

Given that there are also so few spots, looking into other programs, especially if they are close to your house, is smart.

What exactly is wrong with communication? I have two kids in the program and have found all communication to be timely and all questions responded to reasonably. My kids “take swimming seriously” whatever that means and have no problem with peers either, but it’s not a program that’s going to produce Olympic swimmers.

Kids in the wrong practice group. Kids not being let in off the waitlist when large numbers of kids are not showing up ever - for the entire season. Coaches not showing up and it not being communicated to parents. No suggestions for what a swimmer should be swimming in meets. No focus on technical instruction. They don't even bother to field relay teams.

And yes, when a swimmer gets to a certain level, most leave the program.

The only one that fits with my kids’ experience (and I know kids were taken in from the waitlist, for example and had great coach communication) is the limited emphasis on technical instruction. I guess it depends on the coach. Not sure how kids showing up for the wrong practice group is an organizational issue, but not one I’ve seen or heard of among the two groups I’m familiar with.

Let me guess... you swim at Wilson.

[Anonymous]

NP. Another DC Wave issue is they have a limited coaching budget, so your child's coach may not be able to attend any of your child's meets. This makes it difficult to have coherent coaching, because your child's coach is never seeing what the kids are doing in a race situation, and it's difficult for the kids because their coach isn't there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have to be a member of a country club to have your kid try out for a team based at a country club? For example, Army Navy.

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, just trying to figure out how this all works.

This depends what you are asking about, and I really only have a partial answer for you, but I thought I would try. Are you talking about summer swim or year round "club" swim?

For summer swim, if they participate in one of the country club leagues, yes, you would have to be a member to be on that team.

For club swimming, if a club uses their pool as a practice site, then you wouldn't need to be, you would be a member of the swim club team. However, I did a quick look at the PVS teams and I don't see any that list the Army-Navy club (or any other country club) as a practice site, unless they call it some name I wouldn't recognize.

Hope this helps or someone adds information or corrects me if needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have to be a member of a country club to have your kid try out for a team based at a country club? For example, Army Navy.

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, just trying to figure out how this all works.

This depends what you are asking about, and I really only have a partial answer for you, but I thought I would try. Are you talking about summer swim or year round "club" swim?

For summer swim, if they participate in one of the country club leagues, yes, you would have to be a member to be on that team.

For club swimming, if a club uses their pool as a practice site, then you wouldn't need to be, you would be a member of the swim club team. However, I did a quick look at the PVS teams and I don't see any that list the Army-Navy club (or any other country club) as a practice site, unless they call it some name I wouldn't recognize.

Hope this helps or someone adds information or corrects me if needed.

Army-Navy for summer swims in the CCSDA, and yes, you would have to be a member of the club to join the team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC Wave is not disorganized at all, but there will be two issues with joining the team. 1) I’d be surprised if they offer alternate dates, but you could ask. 2) even if your kid passes the tryout they have nowhere near enough spots for all the kids. Last year there were three places for new kids in the Dev 1 group at Wilson and more than 100 trying out. My sense was that at least half of those kids, probably more, were recommended for the team.

The problem this year is exacerbated as existing swimmers get to register first. After that, the kids on last years waitlist who passed the tryouts but didn’t get on the team due to lack of places get to register and only if there are any remaining places do new kids get a chance. I would expect few places.

Good luck!

There have been a lot of parents and coaches unhappy with communication, organization and responsiveness this year. It is not one of the more well-run teams. In addition, very few talented swimmers stay with DC Wave long term, which makes it harder for the kids who take swimming seriously, because they don't have a lot of peers in the pool with them. Your kids will make friends with their teammates, which makes starting with a new team suck, after you have figured out that DC Wave is not going to be a good fit for most serious swimmers.

Given that there are also so few spots, looking into other programs, especially if they are close to your house, is smart.

What exactly is wrong with communication? I have two kids in the program and have found all communication to be timely and all questions responded to reasonably. My kids “take swimming seriously” whatever that means and have no problem with peers either, but it’s not a program that’s going to produce Olympic swimmers.

NP, but I think “taking swimming seriously” is generally thought of as the kids who are competing to qualify for age group championship meets and other meets with QTs. DC Wave sent only 4 kids to JOs, which isn’t on par with even the smaller competitive clubs in the area like a MAKOS or Tollefson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC Wave is not disorganized at all, but there will be two issues with joining the team. 1) I’d be surprised if they offer alternate dates, but you could ask. 2) even if your kid passes the tryout they have nowhere near enough spots for all the kids. Last year there were three places for new kids in the Dev 1 group at Wilson and more than 100 trying out. My sense was that at least half of those kids, probably more, were recommended for the team.

The problem this year is exacerbated as existing swimmers get to register first. After that, the kids on last years waitlist who passed the tryouts but didn’t get on the team due to lack of places get to register and only if there are any remaining places do new kids get a chance. I would expect few places.

Good luck!

There have been a lot of parents and coaches unhappy with communication, organization and responsiveness this year. It is not one of the more well-run teams. In addition, very few talented swimmers stay with DC Wave long term, which makes it harder for the kids who take swimming seriously, because they don't have a lot of peers in the pool with them. Your kids will make friends with their teammates, which makes starting with a new team suck, after you have figured out that DC Wave is not going to be a good fit for most serious swimmers.

Given that there are also so few spots, looking into other programs, especially if they are close to your house, is smart.

What exactly is wrong with communication? I have two kids in the program and have found all communication to be timely and all questions responded to reasonably. My kids “take swimming seriously” whatever that means and have no problem with peers either, but it’s not a program that’s going to produce Olympic swimmers.

NP, but I think “taking swimming seriously” is generally thought of as the kids who are competing to qualify for age group championship meets and other meets with QTs. DC Wave sent only 4 kids to JOs, which isn’t on par with even the smaller competitive clubs in the area like a MAKOS or Tollefson.

I figured it was a euphemism for very fast swimmers but it’s meaningless as one. My fairly slow/average/competitively unremarkable swimmers also take it seriously and this is the right level of competition. And for the record, to a PP above their coaches are usually at their meets, so again, very different experience here. Also we appreciate the diversity on DC wave.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for all the responses. My daughter isn’t going to be a superstar. We just want her to continue to build on her skills in a year-round program. We live on Capitol Hill so the appeal of DC Wave is that she could train at Rumsey right down the street from our house. The other appeal is that kids who haven’t done much competitive swimming like my daughter start out on a 2 day a week training schedule. Other clubs seem to do 3-5 days of training which I’m not sure she’s ready to jump into just yet. But if I can’t get her into DC Wave due to the space constraints I’ll probably go with NCAP at AU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for all the responses. My daughter isn’t going to be a superstar. We just want her to continue to build on her skills in a year-round program. We live on Capitol Hill so the appeal of DC Wave is that she could train at Rumsey right down the street from our house. The other appeal is that kids who haven’t done much competitive swimming like my daughter start out on a 2 day a week training schedule. Other clubs seem to do 3-5 days of training which I’m not sure she’s ready to jump into just yet. But if I can’t get her into DC Wave due to the space constraints I’ll probably go with NCAP at AU.

If you’re on the Hill, I recommend you ask about swim teams on MOTH. Folks have a very different DC Wave experience depending on their pool. DC Wave really focuses most of their energy on Wilson. That’s where the top kids swim, that’s whose coaches are showing up to meets, that’s who has the best experience. You will get more focused feedback on MOTH.

Lots of folks on the Hill swim with NCAP Marymount as well as AU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for all the responses. My daughter isn’t going to be a superstar. We just want her to continue to build on her skills in a year-round program. We live on Capitol Hill so the appeal of DC Wave is that she could train at Rumsey right down the street from our house. The other appeal is that kids who haven’t done much competitive swimming like my daughter start out on a 2 day a week training schedule. Other clubs seem to do 3-5 days of training which I’m not sure she’s ready to jump into just yet. But if I can’t get her into DC Wave due to the space constraints I’ll probably go with NCAP at AU.

NCap AU is not that easy to get into- harder than the Marymount location, just FYI. Also try-outs will commence very soon. Good luck to your daughter!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC Wave is not disorganized at all, but there will be two issues with joining the team. 1) I’d be surprised if they offer alternate dates, but you could ask. 2) even if your kid passes the tryout they have nowhere near enough spots for all the kids. Last year there were three places for new kids in the Dev 1 group at Wilson and more than 100 trying out. My sense was that at least half of those kids, probably more, were recommended for the team.

The problem this year is exacerbated as existing swimmers get to register first. After that, the kids on last years waitlist who passed the tryouts but didn’t get on the team due to lack of places get to register and only if there are any remaining places do new kids get a chance. I would expect few places.

Good luck!

There have been a lot of parents and coaches unhappy with communication, organization and responsiveness this year. It is not one of the more well-run teams. In addition, very few talented swimmers stay with DC Wave long term, which makes it harder for the kids who take swimming seriously, because they don't have a lot of peers in the pool with them. Your kids will make friends with their teammates, which makes starting with a new team suck, after you have figured out that DC Wave is not going to be a good fit for most serious swimmers.

Given that there are also so few spots, looking into other programs, especially if they are close to your house, is smart.

What exactly is wrong with communication? I have two kids in the program and have found all communication to be timely and all questions responded to reasonably. My kids “take swimming seriously” whatever that means and have no problem with peers either, but it’s not a program that’s going to produce Olympic swimmers.

Kids in the wrong practice group. Kids not being let in off the waitlist when large numbers of kids are not showing up ever - for the entire season. Coaches not showing up and it not being communicated to parents. No suggestions for what a swimmer should be swimming in meets. No focus on technical instruction. They don't even bother to field relay teams.

And yes, when a swimmer gets to a certain level, most leave the program.

This hasn’t been our experience. But as other posters have said, there will likely be very few if any spots for the dev 1 groups this year. There were hundreds of kids waitlisted last year and they get a chance to register before the new tryouts this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC Wave is not disorganized at all, but there will be two issues with joining the team. 1) I’d be surprised if they offer alternate dates, but you could ask. 2) even if your kid passes the tryout they have nowhere near enough spots for all the kids. Last year there were three places for new kids in the Dev 1 group at Wilson and more than 100 trying out. My sense was that at least half of those kids, probably more, were recommended for the team.

The problem this year is exacerbated as existing swimmers get to register first. After that, the kids on last years waitlist who passed the tryouts but didn’t get on the team due to lack of places get to register and only if there are any remaining places do new kids get a chance. I would expect few places.

Good luck!

There have been a lot of parents and coaches unhappy with communication, organization and responsiveness this year. It is not one of the more well-run teams. In addition, very few talented swimmers stay with DC Wave long term, which makes it harder for the kids who take swimming seriously, because they don't have a lot of peers in the pool with them. Your kids will make friends with their teammates, which makes starting with a new team suck, after you have figured out that DC Wave is not going to be a good fit for most serious swimmers.

Given that there are also so few spots, looking into other programs, especially if they are close to your house, is smart.

What exactly is wrong with communication? I have two kids in the program and have found all communication to be timely and all questions responded to reasonably. My kids “take swimming seriously” whatever that means and have no problem with peers either, but it’s not a program that’s going to produce Olympic swimmers.

Kids in the wrong practice group. Kids not being let in off the waitlist when large numbers of kids are not showing up ever - for the entire season. Coaches not showing up and it not being communicated to parents. No suggestions for what a swimmer should be swimming in meets. No focus on technical instruction. They don't even bother to field relay teams.

And yes, when a swimmer gets to a certain level, most leave the program.

This hasn’t been our experience. But as other posters have said, there will likely be very few if any spots for the dev 1 groups this year. There were hundreds of kids waitlisted last year and they get a chance to register before the new tryouts this year.

This is also a BS move by DC Wave. They had empty practice groups and could have taken kids off the waitlist, but inexplicably didn't. So to the PPs who are most likely getting waitlisted, don't expect a spot to open up during the school year, even if children never show up to practice.

[Anonymous]

the site is very confusing. my son is 10 and has been in group/private lessons since he was 4. should we be looking at Dev 1 as a longshot or the DC Junior Waves Prep Course? Not even sure when that registration begins. the tryouts are at at time in August when we're out of town as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:the site is very confusing. my son is 10 and has been in group/private lessons since he was 4. should we be looking at Dev 1 as a longshot or the DC Junior Waves Prep Course? Not even sure when that registration begins. the tryouts are at at time in August when we're out of town as well.

Junior Waves is 3 days a week for 45 min and is pretty fun. The kids practice like they are on swim team. There is just no meet requirements.

PVS (DC Waves' league) is very competitive, especially when you get to 10U. How well does you son swim?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the site is very confusing. my son is 10 and has been in group/private lessons since he was 4. should we be looking at Dev 1 as a longshot or the DC Junior Waves Prep Course? Not even sure when that registration begins. the tryouts are at at time in August when we're out of town as well.

Junior Waves is 3 days a week for 45 min and is pretty fun. The kids practice like they are on swim team. There is just no meet requirements.

PVS (DC Waves' league) is very competitive, especially when you get to 10U. How well does you son swim?

He's pretty good and is competitive when others are around.