All Star Aquatics Swim (11-14)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Totally naive question here — so you have to try out for winter swim teams here? Or just for certain groups within the swim team? I thought you could generally join any of them but had to qualify to be in one of the more senior/faster/more intense practice groups. Am I wrong about this? Are certain teams tryout only? Thanks.

Most teams have tryouts due to a limited number of spots being available

[Anonymous]

My kid wants to do competitive swim this year and has done try outs for two teams. At one try out there were a bunch of kids in her age group but less than half were accepted. At the other try-out there were only a few kids, the coaches already knew them, and they were all accepted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid wants to do competitive swim this year and has done try outs for two teams. At one try out there were a bunch of kids in her age group but less than half were accepted. At the other try-out there were only a few kids, the coaches already knew them, and they were all accepted.

Which teams are these? Some teams have more openings.

[Anonymous]

You could also try Machine Aquatics. There’s a lot of different levels and your kid can move up if he progresses.

[Anonymous]

There are many downsides to ASA:

1. Yes, the coaches are fun but they aren't good at stroke training and they don't offer private lessons - so you have to go somewhere else for that. Mark Lewis is the best coach there.
2. The practices are disorganized because the lanes are a mess. My child had her arms scratched, her fins pulled off, and her arms twisted. She started to dread going to practice out of fear - and she had done well and made JO cut times. My daughter was too shy to complain to the coaches or the other swimmers. I did complain several times but nothing changed, and it would start looking strange for me to complain to coaches on a regular basis. It got even worse when COVID hit and there were no parents watching.
3. Even though it is a smaller team, your child can fall through the cracks - even if your child is a good swimmer and has great times. They had no clue that my daughter would make JO cut times and focus on their few favorites.
3. There is a parent board because ASA is a 501(c)(3). The Board seems to be self-selected and some of the board members serve just to benefit their own child. The Board has a great deal of power and can vote to kick a child off of the team - in some instances, false allegations are made by the Board resulting in a child losing their slot. There is no due process, and neither Bob Walker or anyone else will not talk to you. You will just be told that the Board has voted and the decision is final. There is no other team like that that I know of in this area so it is possible that you may have a fast swimmer that gets randomly kicked off because another parent feels their child is threatened by your child's success or because their child is a bully/trouble maker and your child happens to be the target.
4. ASA had faster and slower swimmers when we joined. When they lost their Boldger site combined with COVID, tons of kids who had been on the team for years were kicked off. My child was not one of the kids kicked off but several of her friends were - it really demonstrated the lack of stability at ASA.
5. ASA is extremely expensive as compared to other teams. Of course RMSC is government subsidized so it is very reasonable but ASA costs more than even NCAP and you get more for your money at NCAP.
6. The summer swim program for ASA is early morning at Twinbrook. Twinbrook is a dirty and disgusting pool that is highly unpleasant.
7. ASA's relationship with Stone Ridge is tenuous so ASA has to move around practices to accommodate the school making your life unpredictable.

I am comparing this experience to RMSC and NCAP.

RMSC has assigned spots for lanes and will move your child if they are stuck behind someone or vice versa. RMSC practices are extremely difficult because they are very focused on mileage and kick - sometimes they kick for 15 to 20 minutes straight. They are also more focused on stroke technique and give you the option of private lessons (it is not a requirement). You have to have a swimmer that loves the sport and has endurance. The cost is minimal and the Rockville facility is fantastic with great indoor and outdoor pools that are new. The coaches knew who my daughter was and knew her strengths and weaknesses. We met other former ASA swimmers and parents that had similar experiences. One of them had a daughter that was stuck in the lower group at ASA and has become a fast swimmer at RMSC. They felt that their daughter didn't get much attention in the lower group.

My daughter also tried out/participated in classes at several NCAP sites. The lanes were organized and they focused much more on stroke technique than ASA. There are very few breaks during an RMSC practice which can make it challenging. The NCAP practices had more time between sets to talk about technique and hydrate. We are going to try NCAP this year because it is something that my daughter is excited about and the location is closer.

If you do choose ASA, be prepared for drama and unpredictability. If your swimmer doesn't have perfect technique, you will also feel a sense of deep frustration when you seen no improvement.

[Anonymous]

I forgot to mention in my last message that if your kid gets kicked off by the Board that ASA will try its best to not refund your money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are many downsides to ASA:

1. Yes, the coaches are fun but they aren't good at stroke training and they don't offer private lessons - so you have to go somewhere else for that. Mark Lewis is the best coach there.
2. The practices are disorganized because the lanes are a mess. My child had her arms scratched, her fins pulled off, and her arms twisted. She started to dread going to practice out of fear - and she had done well and made JO cut times. My daughter was too shy to complain to the coaches or the other swimmers. I did complain several times but nothing changed, and it would start looking strange for me to complain to coaches on a regular basis. It got even worse when COVID hit and there were no parents watching.
3. Even though it is a smaller team, your child can fall through the cracks - even if your child is a good swimmer and has great times. They had no clue that my daughter would make JO cut times and focus on their few favorites.
3. There is a parent board because ASA is a 501(c)(3). The Board seems to be self-selected and some of the board members serve just to benefit their own child. The Board has a great deal of power and can vote to kick a child off of the team - in some instances, false allegations are made by the Board resulting in a child losing their slot. There is no due process, and neither Bob Walker or anyone else will not talk to you. You will just be told that the Board has voted and the decision is final. There is no other team like that that I know of in this area so it is possible that you may have a fast swimmer that gets randomly kicked off because another parent feels their child is threatened by your child's success or because their child is a bully/trouble maker and your child happens to be the target.
4. ASA had faster and slower swimmers when we joined. When they lost their Boldger site combined with COVID, tons of kids who had been on the team for years were kicked off. My child was not one of the kids kicked off but several of her friends were - it really demonstrated the lack of stability at ASA.
5. ASA is extremely expensive as compared to other teams. Of course RMSC is government subsidized so it is very reasonable but ASA costs more than even NCAP and you get more for your money at NCAP.
6. The summer swim program for ASA is early morning at Twinbrook. Twinbrook is a dirty and disgusting pool that is highly unpleasant.
7. ASA's relationship with Stone Ridge is tenuous so ASA has to move around practices to accommodate the school making your life unpredictable.

I am comparing this experience to RMSC and NCAP.

RMSC has assigned spots for lanes and will move your child if they are stuck behind someone or vice versa. RMSC practices are extremely difficult because they are very focused on mileage and kick - sometimes they kick for 15 to 20 minutes straight. They are also more focused on stroke technique and give you the option of private lessons (it is not a requirement). You have to have a swimmer that loves the sport and has endurance. The cost is minimal and the Rockville facility is fantastic with great indoor and outdoor pools that are new. The coaches knew who my daughter was and knew her strengths and weaknesses. We met other former ASA swimmers and parents that had similar experiences. One of them had a daughter that was stuck in the lower group at ASA and has become a fast swimmer at RMSC. They felt that their daughter didn't get much attention in the lower group.

My daughter also tried out/participated in classes at several NCAP sites. The lanes were organized and they focused much more on stroke technique than ASA. There are very few breaks during an RMSC practice which can make it challenging. The NCAP practices had more time between sets to talk about technique and hydrate. We are going to try NCAP this year because it is something that my daughter is excited about and the location is closer.

If you do choose ASA, be prepared for drama and unpredictability. If your swimmer doesn't have perfect technique, you will also feel a sense of deep frustration when you seen no improvement.

City of Rockville heavily subsidizes RMSC at their pool so it is much cheaper there than the county pools. Its also hit for miss depending on the coach. Everything you described at ASA has been our experience. Our RMSC practices are not very strenuous so it sounds like your group is much better.

[Anonymous]

Wendy and Mallory are great coaches that care about your swimmer. The practices are intense and my daughter definitely improved from them but they are not for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are many downsides to ASA:

1. Yes, the coaches are fun but they aren't good at stroke training and they don't offer private lessons - so you have to go somewhere else for that. Mark Lewis is the best coach there.
2. The practices are disorganized because the lanes are a mess. My child had her arms scratched, her fins pulled off, and her arms twisted. She started to dread going to practice out of fear - and she had done well and made JO cut times. My daughter was too shy to complain to the coaches or the other swimmers. I did complain several times but nothing changed, and it would start looking strange for me to complain to coaches on a regular basis. It got even worse when COVID hit and there were no parents watching.
3. Even though it is a smaller team, your child can fall through the cracks - even if your child is a good swimmer and has great times. They had no clue that my daughter would make JO cut times and focus on their few favorites.
3. There is a parent board because ASA is a 501(c)(3). The Board seems to be self-selected and some of the board members serve just to benefit their own child. The Board has a great deal of power and can vote to kick a child off of the team - in some instances, false allegations are made by the Board resulting in a child losing their slot. There is no due process, and neither Bob Walker or anyone else will not talk to you. You will just be told that the Board has voted and the decision is final. There is no other team like that that I know of in this area so it is possible that you may have a fast swimmer that gets randomly kicked off because another parent feels their child is threatened by your child's success or because their child is a bully/trouble maker and your child happens to be the target.
4. ASA had faster and slower swimmers when we joined. When they lost their Boldger site combined with COVID, tons of kids who had been on the team for years were kicked off. My child was not one of the kids kicked off but several of her friends were - it really demonstrated the lack of stability at ASA.
5. ASA is extremely expensive as compared to other teams. Of course RMSC is government subsidized so it is very reasonable but ASA costs more than even NCAP and you get more for your money at NCAP.
6. The summer swim program for ASA is early morning at Twinbrook. Twinbrook is a dirty and disgusting pool that is highly unpleasant.
7. ASA's relationship with Stone Ridge is tenuous so ASA has to move around practices to accommodate the school making your life unpredictable.

I am comparing this experience to RMSC and NCAP.

RMSC has assigned spots for lanes and will move your child if they are stuck behind someone or vice versa. RMSC practices are extremely difficult because they are very focused on mileage and kick - sometimes they kick for 15 to 20 minutes straight. They are also more focused on stroke technique and give you the option of private lessons (it is not a requirement). You have to have a swimmer that loves the sport and has endurance. The cost is minimal and the Rockville facility is fantastic with great indoor and outdoor pools that are new. The coaches knew who my daughter was and knew her strengths and weaknesses. We met other former ASA swimmers and parents that had similar experiences. One of them had a daughter that was stuck in the lower group at ASA and has become a fast swimmer at RMSC. They felt that their daughter didn't get much attention in the lower group.

My daughter also tried out/participated in classes at several NCAP sites. The lanes were organized and they focused much more on stroke technique than ASA. There are very few breaks during an RMSC practice which can make it challenging. The NCAP practices had more time between sets to talk about technique and hydrate. We are going to try NCAP this year because it is something that my daughter is excited about and the location is closer.

If you do choose ASA, be prepared for drama and unpredictability. If your swimmer doesn't have perfect technique, you will also feel a sense of deep frustration when you seen no improvement.

PP, this is like the fourth time you have posted the same comments about ASA. Seems like you have a real issue against ASA. We have only had a good experience there....

[Anonymous]

and the posted prices are less than NCAP.

[Anonymous]

My kid swims with juniors. Rory Lewis is the coach and I think he is a very good technical coach. He has helped my kid with stuff but they have to be willing to listen.

My understanding is kids either stay in juniors or move to NDG if they have the cuts. In high school, it is advanced seniors or NTG if a kid is hoping to swim in college. You need sectionals cuts to swim NTG, I believe. It is all on the website and beat to consult because I may be leaving stuff out.

On our summer team, ASA had the most stable practice situation compared to other clubs for which teammates swim. I also appreciated Twinbrook because few clubs get long course practice (but it is too shallow to dive so glad there was still Stone Ridge practice too). A lot of clubs lost pool space, including ASA, but I was grateful that my kid could stay in the pool and could practice inside. Also Stone Ridge didn’t feel that different than what I hear goes on at Georgetown Prep or Holton sites for other clubs.

NCAP and RMSC seem like great programs too. The Stone Ridge site was most convenient for our family. Also, I am not hoping for an Olympian so a small program seems great. . If you have that caliber of swimmer, then NCAP or RMSC seem the way to go. I also know families who swear by sea devils and Tollefson.

My advice is to take a slot where your child can get it. The COVID restrictions have really limited the numbers and I worry about the numbers spiking and shutting things down. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

For summer at Rockville RMSC, the summer program is very stable. They practice in the long course pool in the back of the facility or the indoor pools - so from winter to summer is pretty seamless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have experience w this team w their kid—Jrs (11-14) or the full team? Do they instruct proper techniques to the kids? Focused on form? Seems like a really serious team? Is there fun? Any experience welcome.

Very much IM and distance focused training but not much stroke work. I see strong swimmers and aerobic monsters out of this group but not good technique

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are many downsides to ASA:

1. Yes, the coaches are fun but they aren't good at stroke training and they don't offer private lessons - so you have to go somewhere else for that. Mark Lewis is the best coach there.
2. The practices are disorganized because the lanes are a mess. My child had her arms scratched, her fins pulled off, and her arms twisted. She started to dread going to practice out of fear - and she had done well and made JO cut times. My daughter was too shy to complain to the coaches or the other swimmers. I did complain several times but nothing changed, and it would start looking strange for me to complain to coaches on a regular basis. It got even worse when COVID hit and there were no parents watching.
3. Even though it is a smaller team, your child can fall through the cracks - even if your child is a good swimmer and has great times. They had no clue that my daughter would make JO cut times and focus on their few favorites.
3. There is a parent board because ASA is a 501(c)(3). The Board seems to be self-selected and some of the board members serve just to benefit their own child. The Board has a great deal of power and can vote to kick a child off of the team - in some instances, false allegations are made by the Board resulting in a child losing their slot. There is no due process, and neither Bob Walker or anyone else will not talk to you. You will just be told that the Board has voted and the decision is final. There is no other team like that that I know of in this area so it is possible that you may have a fast swimmer that gets randomly kicked off because another parent feels their child is threatened by your child's success or because their child is a bully/trouble maker and your child happens to be the target.
4. ASA had faster and slower swimmers when we joined. When they lost their Boldger site combined with COVID, tons of kids who had been on the team for years were kicked off. My child was not one of the kids kicked off but several of her friends were - it really demonstrated the lack of stability at ASA.
5. ASA is extremely expensive as compared to other teams. Of course RMSC is government subsidized so it is very reasonable but ASA costs more than even NCAP and you get more for your money at NCAP.
6. The summer swim program for ASA is early morning at Twinbrook. Twinbrook is a dirty and disgusting pool that is highly unpleasant.
7. ASA's relationship with Stone Ridge is tenuous so ASA has to move around practices to accommodate the school making your life unpredictable.

I am comparing this experience to RMSC and NCAP.

RMSC has assigned spots for lanes and will move your child if they are stuck behind someone or vice versa. RMSC practices are extremely difficult because they are very focused on mileage and kick - sometimes they kick for 15 to 20 minutes straight. They are also more focused on stroke technique and give you the option of private lessons (it is not a requirement). You have to have a swimmer that loves the sport and has endurance. The cost is minimal and the Rockville facility is fantastic with great indoor and outdoor pools that are new. The coaches knew who my daughter was and knew her strengths and weaknesses. We met other former ASA swimmers and parents that had similar experiences. One of them had a daughter that was stuck in the lower group at ASA and has become a fast swimmer at RMSC. They felt that their daughter didn't get much attention in the lower group.

My daughter also tried out/participated in classes at several NCAP sites. The lanes were organized and they focused much more on stroke technique than ASA. There are very few breaks during an RMSC practice which can make it challenging. The NCAP practices had more time between sets to talk about technique and hydrate. We are going to try NCAP this year because it is something that my daughter is excited about and the location is closer.

If you do choose ASA, be prepared for drama and unpredictability. If your swimmer doesn't have perfect technique, you will also feel a sense of deep frustration when you seen no improvement.

1) Chris is the best coach
2) I think most parents would appreciate that the board takes bullying and sexual assault allegations seriously

[Anonymous]

I can honestly say that my daughter was bullied at ASA in the lanes especially if she tried to pass someone.

She has swam at Tollefson, RMSC and now done NCAP tryouts - it is nothing like the chaotic lanes at ASA.

Chris is a good coach but Coach Mark Lewis was phenomenal and really understood and knew my daughter and made her a stronger swimmer. Mark is the main thing we miss about ASA.