Swim team (club and summer swim league) in DC proper

[Anonymous]

I get the sense that DC Summer Swim League is nowhere near as "organized" as either PMSL or MCSL. I mean, I think they have meets but I can't find any results pages or anything for them. MCSL and PMSL teams definitely have a lot more structure to them, relay carnivals, team atmosphere, etc.

Given your age and location though I'd look into the DC Wave Junior Waves to be sure as that's probably the best thing that isn't just "lessons" given your location and your child's age.

When they have a year or 2 good summers of competitive experience, I'd definitely look into DCWave actual year round team. We have had a great experience there.

For DC wave (or any year round team) there is definitely a "your kid is not recommended for any group" that can happen. More likely the older they are and less experience they have.

Most MCSL pools have a "must be able to get 1 length across in something resembling a freestyle" minimum qualification. Since the county MCSL pools (Long Branch, Bethesda etc) don't have waitlists, then you could get on a team there fairly easily. Not saying a new 7/8 year old is going to do a lot of "A" meet swimming, but all the kids start somewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. We live in SE DC, so Bethesda is a hike for us. Takoma Park and parts of PG County or Silver Spring might be manageable, but thinking about the time commitment of summer swim, I do think the closer the better. I'm willing to drive but I want to be realistic about what that commitment looks like, especially since we both work (though I have a lot of flexibility and can arrange to make time for this in the summer for sure). So I'm definitely looking hard at the DC summer league through DCPR as that might be the most manageable option. But since the whole point of this is for it to be a great experience for DC to have fun, gain some swimming skills and confidence, and make friends, I want to make sure I consider all options.

Are you near Barry Farm (or Rumsey)? I would look into signing up for Jr Waves at those locations (whichever is closer). At the end of Jr Waves at Barry Farm, the Jr Waves coach was recruiting for his nearby team for the DC Summer Swim League.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. We live in SE DC, so Bethesda is a hike for us. Takoma Park and parts of PG County or Silver Spring might be manageable, but thinking about the time commitment of summer swim, I do think the closer the better. I'm willing to drive but I want to be realistic about what that commitment looks like, especially since we both work (though I have a lot of flexibility and can arrange to make time for this in the summer for sure). So I'm definitely looking hard at the DC summer league through DCPR as that might be the most manageable option. But since the whole point of this is for it to be a great experience for DC to have fun, gain some swimming skills and confidence, and make friends, I want to make sure I consider all options.

Are you near Barry Farm (or Rumsey)? I would look into signing up for Jr Waves at those locations (whichever is closer). At the end of Jr Waves at Barry Farm, the Jr Waves coach was recruiting for his nearby team for the DC Summer Swim League.

Same PP. I would also look into the AAC swim team at Long Branch. You have missed the signups but depending on where you are in SE, that may be a better option than DC Waves.

[Anonymous]

I think the previous poster means AAC at "Long Bridge", but from their page:

THE JUNE 29th. EVALUATION IS NOW FULL. We are not keeping a waitlist for an evaluation spot. We will not be having any further evaluations for the 2023-24 season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the previous poster means AAC at "Long Bridge", but from their page:

THE JUNE 29th. EVALUATION IS NOW FULL. We are not keeping a waitlist for an evaluation spot. We will not be having any further evaluations for the 2023-24 season.

Yes - that is what I meant. OP should look into those programs (tryouts next summer) if she's close to that pool. AAC is a better program than DC Wave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the details! Especially regarding dates for sign up. I'll be looking into both TPDC and the DCPR summer league (and DC Wave Juniors).

One more question: what are people's experiences/recommendations with getting your child's level assessed with either of these organizations? Since we've just been at a swim school the last few years, I have no sense of how this works. Is it intimidating? Do they ever just say "your kids not ready for swim team"? Even pre-team? I want to make sure I'm prepared for how it works so I can adequately prepare my kid (don't want to make promises I can't keep!).

For TPDC this past year, there were a few kids who dropped out after the first practice if they were uncomfortable swimming laps across the 25 yard pool. It was fine, they got refunded. It was based on their comfort level. The team worked with any kids who were slower swimmers and they were in a slower lane. It was really about level of disruption to the flow of practice. I would say that if you’re able to take your child to a lap pool and get them comfortable swimming a lap, that would go a long way. Like start in March or April of next year before the season. It feels more intimidating when the lane ropes are up.

Thank you for this. DC is still building up to swimming laps -- needs to refine some things about the basic strokes before they switch into full lane classes as opposed to the half-lane classes. I'll pay attention to this and see where we are at in the spring.

Just know that even if your 6 yo isn’t comfortable with the strokes, that’s perfectly fine for TPDC. The coaches will teach them all the mechanics. They just have to have a desire to swim across the pool and try to improve. I’m pretty sure my youngest doggie paddled across the pool on the first day.

[Anonymous]

Junior Wave is not run by DC Wave coaches. It’s an offering from the DPR but not related to DC Wave and is similar to other aquatic DPR options (difficult to get into, unreliable etc).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Junior Wave is not run by DC Wave coaches. It’s an offering from the DPR but not related to DC Wave and is similar to other aquatic DPR options (difficult to get into, unreliable etc).

Agree that Junior Waves is not run by DC Wave coaches, but the Summer Swim League is. How is it unrelated when you have to get a junior wave designation from the DC Wave coaches? You can’t just sign up for Junior waves like you can for the baby how to swim classes.

[Anonymous]

following!

DS5 is at lessons as NCAP at AU

but wondering how club swim works for a family who lives in bloomingdale, dc

are we forced to join suburban clubs? I've heard that pool waitlists can be years long. unsure how this all works.

thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:following!

DS5 is at lessons as NCAP at AU

but wondering how club swim works for a family who lives in bloomingdale, dc

are we forced to join suburban clubs? I've heard that pool waitlists can be years long. unsure how this all works.

thanks!

You’re close-ish to Turkey Thicket and Tacoma, no? Seems kind of ideal for DC Wave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Junior Wave is not run by DC Wave coaches. It’s an offering from the DPR but not related to DC Wave and is similar to other aquatic DPR options (difficult to get into, unreliable etc).

The Jr Wave program needs help. It’s not a true pre-team situation and does not get kids ready for team, which is a bummer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:following!

DS5 is at lessons as NCAP at AU

but wondering how club swim works for a family who lives in bloomingdale, dc

are we forced to join suburban clubs? I've heard that pool waitlists can be years long. unsure how this all works.

thanks!

You’re close to Turkey thicket and Takoma. There’s a great swim team, HEAL, which operated out of Turkey Thicket last year. This year they are moving to Takoma or Galludet. There’s also Elite Rays which is out of Turkey Thicket during the year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Junior Wave is not run by DC Wave coaches. It’s an offering from the DPR but not related to DC Wave and is similar to other aquatic DPR options (difficult to get into, unreliable etc).

Agree that Junior Waves is not run by DC Wave coaches, but the Summer Swim League is. How is it unrelated when you have to get a junior wave designation from the DC Wave coaches? You can’t just sign up for Junior waves like you can for the baby how to swim classes.

Yes you can. The only reason you are “recommended” for Junior Wave after a try out is so that you get a consolation prize for not making the team. Anyone can sign up for junior Wave (if the right age) and a try out is not necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Junior Wave is not run by DC Wave coaches. It’s an offering from the DPR but not related to DC Wave and is similar to other aquatic DPR options (difficult to get into, unreliable etc).

Agree that Junior Waves is not run by DC Wave coaches, but the Summer Swim League is. How is it unrelated when you have to get a junior wave designation from the DC Wave coaches? You can’t just sign up for Junior waves like you can for the baby how to swim classes.

Yes you can. The only reason you are “recommended” for Junior Wave after a try out is so that you get a consolation prize for not making the team. Anyone can sign up for junior Wave (if the right age) and a try out is not necessary.

You need a code to sign up for junior wave. Why would that be if it’s open to all?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Junior Wave is not run by DC Wave coaches. It’s an offering from the DPR but not related to DC Wave and is similar to other aquatic DPR options (difficult to get into, unreliable etc).

Agree that Junior Waves is not run by DC Wave coaches, but the Summer Swim League is. How is it unrelated when you have to get a junior wave designation from the DC Wave coaches? You can’t just sign up for Junior waves like you can for the baby how to swim classes.

Yes you can. The only reason you are “recommended” for Junior Wave after a try out is so that you get a consolation prize for not making the team. Anyone can sign up for junior Wave (if the right age) and a try out is not necessary.

You need a code to sign up for junior wave. Why would that be if it’s open to all?

Are you sure? That’s not been the case in the past and DC Wave coaches know nothing about Junior Wave. Plus there is no way to transition from Junior Wave to the actual team other than a try out the same way as anyone else.