NVSL League Meets

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Simple solution. Boys events at Dowden Terrance. Girls events at Parklawn. Keep things moving.

This would be hysterical!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Long time NVSL family. ASR is what many of the league swimmers love most; IAS less so (especially as they age). Honestly, the league should just dump IAS. Everyone is exhausted at that stage of summer and most just want to leave the DMV and it's oppressive heat and humidity and head on fanily vacations (and not have to look at a NVSL pool for a couple of weeks).

The league should find a long term solution for ASR.

They know which faciities physically can (for example Mt. Vernon Park) and cannot (for exampel Dowden Terrace) host such a meet. I suspect they're a few dozen who can and put rotate through the list every year. Your pool will have to host once every 2-3 decades...no big deal.

I mean I get what you are saying- but ASR is almost exclusively the domain of the most competitive teams. IAS means great swimmers from all divisions can get in. In order to get to swim at ASR, the swimmer not only has to work super hard themselves, but also have 3 teammates in their age group capable of all star swims.

IAS is just a stratification of the good swimmers. If they did it by cut times it would be a more competitive meet. The best swimmers generally do not swim in it for other meets. Large teams with lots of talent generally cannot get in many swimmers since they can only enter two per event. So IAS actually allows in slower swimmers.

Just run a search of the fastest 15-18 girls from last year in an event for the season and compare it to the fastest from IAS last year. Generally IAS is slower and the fastest swimmers did not participate. But it is nice that they give more swimmers a chance that generally would not make it. And once you are 13&over there are lots of scratches because vacations are chosen or other things, particularly from kids that have swam the meet a lot.

[Anonymous]

Hosting one of those meets means someone (or a group of someone’s) takes on a huge summer job level task in order to make $10k for their pool. Not many pools have a volunteer with the ability and interest in doing that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hosting one of those meets means someone (or a group of someone’s) takes on a huge summer job level task in order to make $10k for their pool. Not many pools have a volunteer with the ability and interest in doing that.

I think ASR is a lift and it is half the work of IAS. And let's be honest, by the time IAS rolls around everyone is burnt out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pinecrest here again - our team reps did not have anything to do with ASR, and that was done very much on purpose. They have more than enough to do already. We had a separate committee run it in conjunction with the board. The agreement was that any profit made would go to the pool - and not be earmarked for swim team. We made the case to general membership that since they benefitted, they needed to help out as well. We didn't have a lot of non swim team members volunteer - but some did step up.

That makes sense. But did that mean NVSL did most of the planning (you all did a great job!)?

I am a team rep and have always worked full time in the office. Last year was the first year I had a tough time getting volunteers and I think it was the return to office and commutes. For me, I work my butt off for the team and in some ways it kills my family for the summer because I am always answering calls and texts, and all my free time is that the pool. I don't have any more to give but I don't know anyone at our pool that would be in a position to organize this kind of meet.

Our all volunteer board does a LOT already.

Yes, it was similar for us; Our team reps both worked full time, one was a teacher so did have the summer off, the other works exclusively from home. The balance is hard no matter what and for team reps there is absolutely an impact on work and family for the summer. This was part of the reason it was decided that the reps would just do their usual role - someone still had to represent our team and make sure our IAS swimmers and families were taken care of.
The NVSL takes care of everything ON DECK; meet volunteers (timers, officials, etc.), set up, meet flow, etc. The host pool is responsible for EVERYTHING outside the pool area; traffic, parking, concessions, and all the volunteers that go along with that. Our committee consisted of Facilities, Parking & Traffic, Membership outreach, Sponsorships, Concessions, and Volunteer coordinators. There were a couple of things we hadn't anticipated in the first year that surprised us (we had not anticipated the officials luncheon the day prior to ASR and hadn't included it in our initial budget).
Like everything else, you get out of it what you get into it. The keys for us was the amount of team buy in we had. Special shout outs to our concessions and sponsorship teams! Also NV Pools helped out a ton. They like to look good too - and helped arrange transportation of bleachers, etc. from other pools. We also got a lot of support from our neighboring pool - Fox Mill Estates (THANK YOU!).
There are a million people we couldn't have done it without - but it started with just the team reps agreeing to let the NVSL come in and have a conversation.

The last time we hosted Divisionals, NV pools brought in bleachers. We have a hill on which people put chairs or blankets to watch “regular” meets. We put the bleachers on the top of that hill and it worked out great for viewing.

[Anonymous]

I agree

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pinecrest here again - our team reps did not have anything to do with ASR, and that was done very much on purpose. They have more than enough to do already. We had a separate committee run it in conjunction with the board. The agreement was that any profit made would go to the pool - and not be earmarked for swim team. We made the case to general membership that since they benefitted, they needed to help out as well. We didn't have a lot of non swim team members volunteer - but some did step up.

That makes sense. But did that mean NVSL did most of the planning (you all did a great job!)?

I am a team rep and have always worked full time in the office. Last year was the first year I had a tough time getting volunteers and I think it was the return to office and commutes. For me, I work my butt off for the team and in some ways it kills my family for the summer because I am always answering calls and texts, and all my free time is that the pool. I don't have any more to give but I don't know anyone at our pool that would be in a position to organize this kind of meet.

Our all volunteer board does a LOT already.

Yes, it was similar for us; Our team reps both worked full time, one was a teacher so did have the summer off, the other works exclusively from home. The balance is hard no matter what and for team reps there is absolutely an impact on work and family for the summer. This was part of the reason it was decided that the reps would just do their usual role - someone still had to represent our team and make sure our IAS swimmers and families were taken care of.
The NVSL takes care of everything ON DECK; meet volunteers (timers, officials, etc.), set up, meet flow, etc. The host pool is responsible for EVERYTHING outside the pool area; traffic, parking, concessions, and all the volunteers that go along with that. Our committee consisted of Facilities, Parking & Traffic, Membership outreach, Sponsorships, Concessions, and Volunteer coordinators. There were a couple of things we hadn't anticipated in the first year that surprised us (we had not anticipated the officials luncheon the day prior to ASR and hadn't included it in our initial budget).
Like everything else, you get out of it what you get into it. The keys for us was the amount of team buy in we had. Special shout outs to our concessions and sponsorship teams! Also NV Pools helped out a ton. They like to look good too - and helped arrange transportation of bleachers, etc. from other pools. We also got a lot of support from our neighboring pool - Fox Mill Estates (THANK YOU!).
There are a million people we couldn't have done it without - but it started with just the team reps agreeing to let the NVSL come in and have a conversation.

At some point, what is your sweat equity worth? With RTO, this amount of work does not seem worth it or even feasible. Time to throw money at the problem and use an actual venue with seating, parking, security, and concessions already set up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pinecrest here again - our team reps did not have anything to do with ASR, and that was done very much on purpose. They have more than enough to do already. We had a separate committee run it in conjunction with the board. The agreement was that any profit made would go to the pool - and not be earmarked for swim team. We made the case to general membership that since they benefitted, they needed to help out as well. We didn't have a lot of non swim team members volunteer - but some did step up.

That makes sense. But did that mean NVSL did most of the planning (you all did a great job!)?

I am a team rep and have always worked full time in the office. Last year was the first year I had a tough time getting volunteers and I think it was the return to office and commutes. For me, I work my butt off for the team and in some ways it kills my family for the summer because I am always answering calls and texts, and all my free time is that the pool. I don't have any more to give but I don't know anyone at our pool that would be in a position to organize this kind of meet.

Our all volunteer board does a LOT already.

Yes, it was similar for us; Our team reps both worked full time, one was a teacher so did have the summer off, the other works exclusively from home. The balance is hard no matter what and for team reps there is absolutely an impact on work and family for the summer. This was part of the reason it was decided that the reps would just do their usual role - someone still had to represent our team and make sure our IAS swimmers and families were taken care of.
The NVSL takes care of everything ON DECK; meet volunteers (timers, officials, etc.), set up, meet flow, etc. The host pool is responsible for EVERYTHING outside the pool area; traffic, parking, concessions, and all the volunteers that go along with that. Our committee consisted of Facilities, Parking & Traffic, Membership outreach, Sponsorships, Concessions, and Volunteer coordinators. There were a couple of things we hadn't anticipated in the first year that surprised us (we had not anticipated the officials luncheon the day prior to ASR and hadn't included it in our initial budget).
Like everything else, you get out of it what you get into it. The keys for us was the amount of team buy in we had. Special shout outs to our concessions and sponsorship teams! Also NV Pools helped out a ton. They like to look good too - and helped arrange transportation of bleachers, etc. from other pools. We also got a lot of support from our neighboring pool - Fox Mill Estates (THANK YOU!).
There are a million people we couldn't have done it without - but it started with just the team reps agreeing to let the NVSL come in and have a conversation.

At some point, what is your sweat equity worth? With RTO, this amount of work does not seem worth it or even feasible. Time to throw money at the problem and use an actual venue with seating, parking, security, and concessions already set up.

I’m 1000% in favor of throwing money at the problem and using an actual venue. Not only is seating/parking/concessions already set up, but it’s indoors, air conditioned, has flushable toilets, and GMU has a MASSIVE ice machine (because the one thing no one is mentioning is how much ice you need for these events). Yes, I realize this would not be in the spirit of summer swim. But neither is cancelling ASR/IAS.

That said, with the right group of people, you could absolutely make this work at your pool. We did not think it would work at Pinecrest either, but we had a great planning committee (who mostly had full time jobs btw) and got a ton of help from both the NVSL and NV pools. Various other pools also stepped up to help. Personally, I thought it was worth it- but I am a helper by nature. As is pretty much everyone else at that pool. Which is why we were able to do it. And that’s really what you need. Because at the end of the day, slides can be moved, pools can be overfilled, parking can be negotiated with neighborhoods. But it’s the people who make these events work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pinecrest here again - our team reps did not have anything to do with ASR, and that was done very much on purpose. They have more than enough to do already. We had a separate committee run it in conjunction with the board. The agreement was that any profit made would go to the pool - and not be earmarked for swim team. We made the case to general membership that since they benefitted, they needed to help out as well. We didn't have a lot of non swim team members volunteer - but some did step up.

That makes sense. But did that mean NVSL did most of the planning (you all did a great job!)?

I am a team rep and have always worked full time in the office. Last year was the first year I had a tough time getting volunteers and I think it was the return to office and commutes. For me, I work my butt off for the team and in some ways it kills my family for the summer because I am always answering calls and texts, and all my free time is that the pool. I don't have any more to give but I don't know anyone at our pool that would be in a position to organize this kind of meet.

Our all volunteer board does a LOT already.

Yes, it was similar for us; Our team reps both worked full time, one was a teacher so did have the summer off, the other works exclusively from home. The balance is hard no matter what and for team reps there is absolutely an impact on work and family for the summer. This was part of the reason it was decided that the reps would just do their usual role - someone still had to represent our team and make sure our IAS swimmers and families were taken care of.
The NVSL takes care of everything ON DECK; meet volunteers (timers, officials, etc.), set up, meet flow, etc. The host pool is responsible for EVERYTHING outside the pool area; traffic, parking, concessions, and all the volunteers that go along with that. Our committee consisted of Facilities, Parking & Traffic, Membership outreach, Sponsorships, Concessions, and Volunteer coordinators. There were a couple of things we hadn't anticipated in the first year that surprised us (we had not anticipated the officials luncheon the day prior to ASR and hadn't included it in our initial budget).
Like everything else, you get out of it what you get into it. The keys for us was the amount of team buy in we had. Special shout outs to our concessions and sponsorship teams! Also NV Pools helped out a ton. They like to look good too - and helped arrange transportation of bleachers, etc. from other pools. We also got a lot of support from our neighboring pool - Fox Mill Estates (THANK YOU!).
There are a million people we couldn't have done it without - but it started with just the team reps agreeing to let the NVSL come in and have a conversation.

At some point, what is your sweat equity worth? With RTO, this amount of work does not seem worth it or even feasible. Time to throw money at the problem and use an actual venue with seating, parking, security, and concessions already set up.

I’m 1000% in favor of throwing money at the problem and using an actual venue. Not only is seating/parking/concessions already set up, but it’s indoors, air conditioned, has flushable toilets, and GMU has a MASSIVE ice machine (because the one thing no one is mentioning is how much ice you need for these events). Yes, I realize this would not be in the spirit of summer swim. But neither is cancelling ASR/IAS.

That said, with the right group of people, you could absolutely make this work at your pool. We did not think it would work at Pinecrest either, but we had a great planning committee (who mostly had full time jobs btw) and got a ton of help from both the NVSL and NV pools. Various other pools also stepped up to help. Personally, I thought it was worth it- but I am a helper by nature. As is pretty much everyone else at that pool. Which is why we were able to do it. And that’s really what you need. Because at the end of the day, slides can be moved, pools can be overfilled, parking can be negotiated with neighborhoods. But it’s the people who make these events work.

This is so true. Pinecrest did a fantastic job with IAS. Everyone working the event was friendly and it was awesome to have people actually showing us where our team’s tent was setup.

[Anonymous]

The Atlanta Swimming Association (ASA) is bigger than NVSL. They hold Champs at Georgia Tech every year and have since the 1996 Olympics. It takes place over 3-4 days in sessions, and it includes individual events and the relay events. The largest/most competitive teams are grouped in the same session, but times from all the sessions count in the final awards. There are a lot more swimmers in this champs meet, but runs like a well-oiled machine. While there obviously isn’t a venue like Tech up here, holding ASR and IAS together at a college pool seems like the best choice. Who cares if it’s yards? And they can reconfigure the LC pool with bulkheads to make it 25 meters. I’m sure they can even move the flags. I’d absolutely pay entry fees like we do for club meets to cover the cost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Atlanta Swimming Association (ASA) is bigger than NVSL. They hold Champs at Georgia Tech every year and have since the 1996 Olympics. It takes place over 3-4 days in sessions, and it includes individual events and the relay events. The largest/most competitive teams are grouped in the same session, but times from all the sessions count in the final awards. There are a lot more swimmers in this champs meet, but runs like a well-oiled machine. While there obviously isn’t a venue like Tech up here, holding ASR and IAS together at a college pool seems like the best choice. Who cares if it’s yards? And they can reconfigure the LC pool with bulkheads to make it 25 meters. I’m sure they can even move the flags. I’d absolutely pay entry fees like we do for club meets to cover the cost.

ETA: Teams only go to one session, so it’s not like a club champs meet that requires swimmers to go 3-4 days in a row.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Atlanta Swimming Association (ASA) is bigger than NVSL. They hold Champs at Georgia Tech every year and have since the 1996 Olympics. It takes place over 3-4 days in sessions, and it includes individual events and the relay events. The largest/most competitive teams are grouped in the same session, but times from all the sessions count in the final awards. There are a lot more swimmers in this champs meet, but runs like a well-oiled machine. While there obviously isn’t a venue like Tech up here, holding ASR and IAS together at a college pool seems like the best choice. Who cares if it’s yards? And they can reconfigure the LC pool with bulkheads to make it 25 meters. I’m sure they can even move the flags. I’d absolutely pay entry fees like we do for club meets to cover the cost.

ETA: Teams only go to one session, so it’s not like a club champs meet that requires swimmers to go 3-4 days in a row.

Nobody here gives a crap what the Atlanta Swim Association does. NVSL is an outdoor swim league. The Atlanta champs meet has eight-year-olds that swim a 25 yard freestyle in 57 seconds and pay $50 per swimmer. Barf.

[Anonymous]

Nvsl could rent somewhere like the st James or Mason and the 18 swimmers could compete in 2 heats instead of 3 due to more lanes available, which would help cut down on the time.

You could even make combine asr and ias into one meet on one day. It would be a long day, but no potential weather delays and two heats instead of three for each event would help a lot with cutting down time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nvsl could rent somewhere like the st James or Mason and the 18 swimmers could compete in 2 heats instead of 3 due to more lanes available, which would help cut down on the time.

You could even make combine asr and ias into one meet on one day. It would be a long day, but no potential weather delays and two heats instead of three for each event would help a lot with cutting down time.

There wouldn’t be enough capacity to have spectators.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nvsl could rent somewhere like the st James or Mason and the 18 swimmers could compete in 2 heats instead of 3 due to more lanes available, which would help cut down on the time.

You could even make combine asr and ias into one meet on one day. It would be a long day, but no potential weather delays and two heats instead of three for each event would help a lot with cutting down time.

Not sure if you are aware, but the St. James is an indoor pool. Not going to happen.