Clubs that incorporate a bit of fun for 8 and unders?

[Anonymous]

I think there is also a big difference in the age groups you are talking about. It’s reasonable to think that in a 10 and under training group that there would be more fun and games in practice to keep kids engaged and reinforce a love of swimming. I think 11-13 is where it’s more difficult. You have kids in that age range who are already committed to swimming as their primary sport and are clearly headed down the elite track, and you have others that are not as committed, or not as talented, or don’t find swimming as fun as they did when they were young who will end up leaving the sport before high school. It can be hard to balance fun and work with that group because half the kids are prepping for the next level of advancement and the other half aren’t. At our club there is a low key high school group and then separate elite HS groups, and each group knows what they are getting themselves into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an 8 and under swimmer doing a once a week maintenance program with the summer swim team. They loved summer swim but aren't enjoying the winter program as much because it's more of a slog... just swimming back and forth and not really any fun stuff as a little break or at the end of practice.

I am well aware of the difference between summer swim and club swim, and that club is much more serious. But in my mind a good coach/club would keep in mind that the little ones are more likely to stay in the sport if they break up the work with some short games/fun or something to look forward to at the end of practice.

I'd be willing to try a club team next year if they are known for having a balance of solid technique work and fun for the youngest kids. Do any clubs in NOVA fit this description?

They are there once a week for an hour - why not maximize that time for actual swim and the figure out times to fart around during the 100 or so available hours?

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP's that said York has the reputation for being the most fun, (my kids swim for York, I am a York supporter)- but I kind of doubt that the OP, who is saying that the 1x a week summer swim conditioning program is not 'fun enough' is going to be happy with York or any club program. My kids do fun things at practice like 'chase 25's' but things like sharks and minnows are just not happening at a club practice if that is what you are looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:York does a lot of fun stuff. They do a Halloween ‘sock hop’ for under 12s (that I know of). My kids are older so I mostly know what they do for seniors. they have attended senior lock-in, senior retreat, some kind of Mini Golf/Pizza thing, and an Intrasquad meet based on ‘Houses’ (like in Harry Potter.

I know some people are YORK and they have a more family friendly approach to Club. It is actually a philosophy or more of loving to swim (so summer-ish club feel to it) rather than the grind. They produce good swimmers too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an 8 and under swimmer doing a once a week maintenance program with the summer swim team. They loved summer swim but aren't enjoying the winter program as much because it's more of a slog... just swimming back and forth and not really any fun stuff as a little break or at the end of practice.

I am well aware of the difference between summer swim and club swim, and that club is much more serious. But in my mind a good coach/club would keep in mind that the little ones are more likely to stay in the sport if they break up the work with some short games/fun or something to look forward to at the end of practice.

I'd be willing to try a club team next year if they are known for having a balance of solid technique work and fun for the youngest kids. Do any clubs in NOVA fit this description?

They are there once a week for an hour - why not maximize that time for actual swim and the figure out times to fart around during the 100 or so available hours?

I think this is actually the crux of the issue. The winter summer programs have so few hours, they want to actually keep the kids as in shape as thy can.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the responses. I agree there are two different things to consider -- fun activities during the actual practice and the overall attitude/culture of the coaches and club. My DC's personality is such that they just really eat up the fun and silly things even if they're little things. It doesn't have to be sharks and minnows at practice... just something like the coach dressing up occasionally or doing fun team building things outside the pool would probably be enough to make it feel fun for them. Something like the chase 25s during practice would also probably be up their alley... that sounds like a good example of how to make something fun while still doing work.

I think part of the problem with the summer team program is lack of lane space and the fact that there aren't a lot of kids my child's age doing the program for some reason. None of their summer team buddies are there. It's a lot of older kids who don't want to swim club. DC is too advanced for the youngest lane of kids who are barely getting across the pool, but then they're being put in a lane with kids up to 3 years older who are just newer to swimming. My thinking is that DC might enjoy the "mini" group at a club where they can be in a lane with kids that all similar in terms of age and maturity level. DC is very social when around kids their own age, so just having more kids to talk to would make it more fun.

It sounds like York would be our best bet if DC were to try club swim. I'll see how the rest of this winter and next summer goes, and keep that one in mind.

[Anonymous]

At our rmsc site, the 8 and unders get divided into teams every Wednesday and do a “mini mini” meet.

The older kids look on wistfully lol

[Anonymous]

OP, I think your biggest problem is that your kids isn't with kids her own age. Definitely consider moving her with peers in the future.

[Anonymous]

Not sure where you’re located, but my kid just started on an RMSC 8& under team this fall and there have been a good number of really unique/fun social activities for the kids outside of practice, and once in awhile at practice or meets too. My kid is 6 and is big on the fun aspect as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the responses. I agree there are two different things to consider -- fun activities during the actual practice and the overall attitude/culture of the coaches and club. My DC's personality is such that they just really eat up the fun and silly things even if they're little things. It doesn't have to be sharks and minnows at practice... just something like the coach dressing up occasionally or doing fun team building things outside the pool would probably be enough to make it feel fun for them. Something like the chase 25s during practice would also probably be up their alley... that sounds like a good example of how to make something fun while still doing work.

I think part of the problem with the summer team program is lack of lane space and the fact that there aren't a lot of kids my child's age doing the program for some reason. None of their summer team buddies are there. It's a lot of older kids who don't want to swim club. DC is too advanced for the youngest lane of kids who are barely getting across the pool, but then they're being put in a lane with kids up to 3 years older who are just newer to swimming. My thinking is that DC might enjoy the "mini" group at a club where they can be in a lane with kids that all similar in terms of age and maturity level. DC is very social when around kids their own age, so just having more kids to talk to would make it more fun.

It sounds like York would be our best bet if DC were to try club swim. I'll see how the rest of this winter and next summer goes, and keep that one in mind.

you might actually find it beneficial to go ahead and try out for some club teams now. Trying out for club in winter actually gives you a better feel for the club than in the summer. The summer tryouts are generally just tryouts- you are there with a bunch of kinds not on the team- you jump in the water, do your thing, and leave. But for kids who tryout in the winter, they usually have them attend a practice, and you get a bit more of a feel for what that is like. You don't necessarily have to join even if you get a spot- although if your current swim isn't going well you might consider it. York is good at the 'little things' When my kids were 8 and unders, they lived for 'dum dum thursdays' which just mean they got a dum dum as they left the pool. They never wanted to miss a thursday b/c they didn't want to miss out on their dum dum.
In saying this I'm assuming your dc is legal in all 4 strokes, if they aren't, there is no point trying out for club- they won't make it. (Possibly if they are not legal in fly and they are young).

[Anonymous]

Which clubs have winter tryouts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which clubs have winter tryouts?

I'm not aware of clubs holding formal winter tryouts- but I think most clubs, if they have room in the practice group that you are interested in, will let a kid tryout and join mid season. Typically, when I have seen those tryouts, they just have the prospective kid join the practice for all or part of a practice session.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which clubs have winter tryouts?

Go down the list here, https://www.pvswim.org/pvs_club.htm, and you'll find a number of clubs that have open tryouts of some form pretty much year round.

[Anonymous]

My 7yr old is in his 2nd year of Norman swimming for winter conditioning / exercise. They don’t do anything silly or themed - but it’s also not a slog? As far as I can tell it is “just swimming laps” for an hour - but he has fun and chats between laps / drills with the other 6-9 yr olds in his lane.

Norman is the middle ground between Goldfish / lessons and club swim. Full length lane, hour long workouts with no fins. No meets.

If your kid thinks swimming is a slog for a coached workout, maybe he doesn’t actually like swimming?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the responses. I agree there are two different things to consider -- fun activities during the actual practice and the overall attitude/culture of the coaches and club. My DC's personality is such that they just really eat up the fun and silly things even if they're little things. It doesn't have to be sharks and minnows at practice... just something like the coach dressing up occasionally or doing fun team building things outside the pool would probably be enough to make it feel fun for them. Something like the chase 25s during practice would also probably be up their alley... that sounds like a good example of how to make something fun while still doing work.

I think part of the problem with the summer team program is lack of lane space and the fact that there aren't a lot of kids my child's age doing the program for some reason. None of their summer team buddies are there. It's a lot of older kids who don't want to swim club. DC is too advanced for the youngest lane of kids who are barely getting across the pool, but then they're being put in a lane with kids up to 3 years older who are just newer to swimming. My thinking is that DC might enjoy the "mini" group at a club where they can be in a lane with kids that all similar in terms of age and maturity level. DC is very social when around kids their own age, so just having more kids to talk to would make it more fun.

It sounds like York would be our best bet if DC were to try club swim. I'll see how the rest of this winter and next summer goes, and keep that one in mind.

you might actually find it beneficial to go ahead and try out for some club teams now. Trying out for club in winter actually gives you a better feel for the club than in the summer. The summer tryouts are generally just tryouts- you are there with a bunch of kinds not on the team- you jump in the water, do your thing, and leave. But for kids who tryout in the winter, they usually have them attend a practice, and you get a bit more of a feel for what that is like. You don't necessarily have to join even if you get a spot- although if your current swim isn't going well you might consider it. York is good at the 'little things' When my kids were 8 and unders, they lived for 'dum dum thursdays' which just mean they got a dum dum as they left the pool. They never wanted to miss a thursday b/c they didn't want to miss out on their dum dum.
In saying this I'm assuming your dc is legal in all 4 strokes, if they aren't, there is no point trying out for club- they won't make it. (Possibly if they are not legal in fly and they are young).

8& unders do not need to be legal in all 4 strokes to make the team for most clubs. You really need to consult the eligibility requirements for the specific club(s) you’re interested in.