Less competitive swim teams in Down County Montgomery

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Tollefson is another option. They could get him up to speed on all his strokes, then he could move over to the team when ready.

TOLL isn't bad, but it's very expensive.

DP - Which group at TOLL is suitable for this situation? They told me 11 was "too old" to start club swimming, so... yeah.

Yeah. People are kind of missing the point here by suggesting RMSC and TOLL. I get that they are “better” but not at all for OP.

I disagree. OP's kid could start at Toll doing stroke and turn to learn butterfly, then move over to the team. They are expensive but usually have spots. OP kid isn't going to be doing any club team if he isn't legal in all 4 strokes. He will just be doing stroke and turn.

Usually stroke and turn is fairly young kids. I don’t think OP’s son will appreciate being with 7 year olds. Correct me if I’m wrong and TOLL has older kids in stroke and turn.

Its for all ages but most kids who are swimming are in RMSC or another group by that age.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the clubs, including RMSC have lower level clubs. The county has a stroke and turn and I'm forgetting the name of the class but another pre-team class. City of Rockville has classes too.

RMSC is not a non-competitive club. It is probably one of the most competitive clubs in Montgomery County.

RMSC is what OP DOESN’T want.
Tiburones or Joe Flaherty Dolphins are good options.

Sounds like it, but OP should keep in mind the quality of coaching I know coaches from both of these groups. They're not on the same level as the coaches for the more competitive clubs, even those who just coach the senior groups.

My kids have improved immensely this year at JFD. There are a ton of options for practice days and times, and their group is fairly small so they get a lot of individual attention.

[Anonymous]

I really wish there were more high-quality swim programs for teens newer to the sport! I agree with the PP that kids can start in middle/high school and become quite successful - either at an elite level or for the excellent goals outlined by the OP. Please don't be discouraged by closed-minded people.

In addition to the suggestions here, you might look into Fins at Georgetown Prep for stroke instruction. My kids did it at a younger age and it was high quality for the reasonable price. I am not certain if they get a lot of teens. The swimmer to coach ratio was good.

My kids also did TOLL stroke classes + training and endurance - and then later the team. Keep in mind the two are separate. The stroke classes get a lot of teens who are newer to the sport. We were generally happy with the coaching, but felt it was overpriced.

I think the training programs offered through Montgomery County are also worth looking into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the clubs, including RMSC have lower level clubs. The county has a stroke and turn and I'm forgetting the name of the class but another pre-team class. City of Rockville has classes too.

RMSC is not a non-competitive club. It is probably one of the most competitive clubs in Montgomery County.

Senior Developmental at Rockville is for kids with very limited swim experience

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tollefson is another option. They could get him up to speed on all his strokes, then he could move over to the team when ready.

TOLL isn't bad, but it's very expensive.

DP - Which group at TOLL is suitable for this situation? They told me 11 was "too old" to start club swimming, so... yeah.

Strange because they recruit many first time club swimmers of all ages from summer league teams. Their top groups would be too tough for a very new swimmer but their lower tier group and stroke and endurance classes are great for novices

[Anonymous]

PAC at Fairland 100%. Very low key. Relatively inexpensive. Not sure they have openings now, but worth finding out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tollefson is another option. They could get him up to speed on all his strokes, then he could move over to the team when ready.

TOLL isn't bad, but it's very expensive.

DP - Which group at TOLL is suitable for this situation? They told me 11 was "too old" to start club swimming, so... yeah.

Strange because they recruit many first time club swimmers of all ages from summer league teams. Their top groups would be too tough for a very new swimmer but their lower tier group and stroke and endurance classes are great for novices

An 11 year old legal in all four strokes, turns, pull outs, etc., with multiple summer swim seasons is not a novice. Maybe it’s different if you already do lessons with them, but their tryouts were fairly intense, with some weirdness from one of the coaches towards my kid. They’re also expensive as hell.

OP, we also know folks who have liked JFD - their location at Prep fills up very fast. More space at Quince Orchard. In any case, good luck to your DC! There are some welcoming programs for older kids, for sure.

[Anonymous]

Would check out DC Wave. Not sure if they have openings, but they certainly have lower level teams (developmental 3, age group 3)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PAC at Fairland 100%. Very low key. Relatively inexpensive. Not sure they have openings now, but worth finding out.

Agree with this. My kid swam with them for 2 years at Fairland and it’s very low key. She doesn’t do club swim anymore because she’s obsessed with soccer but might come back to it at some point. She just does summer swim now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tollefson is another option. They could get him up to speed on all his strokes, then he could move over to the team when ready.

TOLL isn't bad, but it's very expensive.

DP - Which group at TOLL is suitable for this situation? They told me 11 was "too old" to start club swimming, so... yeah.

That's terrible.

TOLL is enrolled at capacity.

The owners do offer stroke/turn/endurance classes for swimmers like yours. You could ask about that.

[Anonymous]

Fins! My kid loves swimming but not the competitive stuff- tried RMSC and would up at Fins and really likes it. Practice at Georgetown Prep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teen DC has joined the high school swim team, loves it. They are now thinking about joining summer swim team but are convinced that club swimming is not an option. Are there less competitive clubs in close-in Montgomery County MD that would welcome/accommodate a new to competitive swimming teen?

Important for summer swim to find a pool near your house with a good community. Steer clear of the public pools (Bethesda, Rockville, Germantown etc.) and the hard core recruiting pools (Potomac, Stonebridge) because these teams are far more into winning than having fun and swimming is supposed to be fun

[Anonymous]

All star Aquatics seniors? (On website no requirement other than practice 3x week and commitment to attend meets).

Advanced seniors and NTG are the competitive groups with kids looking to swim beyond HS.

[Anonymous]

Maybe Sea Devils? They practice at Holton, St. Albans and the Rockville JCC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teen DC has joined the high school swim team, loves it. They are now thinking about joining summer swim team but are convinced that club swimming is not an option. Are there less competitive clubs in close-in Montgomery County MD that would welcome/accommodate a new to competitive swimming teen?

Important for summer swim to find a pool near your house with a good community. Steer clear of the public pools (Bethesda, Rockville, Germantown etc.) and the hard core recruiting pools (Potomac, Stonebridge) because these teams are far more into winning than having fun and swimming is supposed to be fun

OP - I agree with your comment about summer swim. We belong to a private pool with summer team. Am looking for options for Spring/Fall to build skill and fitness.