Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC Wave is not disorganized at all, but there will be two issues with joining the team. 1) I’d be surprised if they offer alternate dates, but you could ask. 2) even if your kid passes the tryout they have nowhere near enough spots for all the kids. Last year there were three places for new kids in the Dev 1 group at Wilson and more than 100 trying out. My sense was that at least half of those kids, probably more, were recommended for the team.

The problem this year is exacerbated as existing swimmers get to register first. After that, the kids on last years waitlist who passed the tryouts but didn’t get on the team due to lack of places get to register and only if there are any remaining places do new kids get a chance. I would expect few places.

Good luck!

There have been a lot of parents and coaches unhappy with communication, organization and responsiveness this year. It is not one of the more well-run teams. In addition, very few talented swimmers stay with DC Wave long term, which makes it harder for the kids who take swimming seriously, because they don't have a lot of peers in the pool with them. Your kids will make friends with their teammates, which makes starting with a new team suck, after you have figured out that DC Wave is not going to be a good fit for most serious swimmers.

Given that there are also so few spots, looking into other programs, especially if they are close to your house, is smart.

What exactly is wrong with communication? I have two kids in the program and have found all communication to be timely and all questions responded to reasonably. My kids “take swimming seriously” whatever that means and have no problem with peers either, but it’s not a program that’s going to produce Olympic swimmers.

Kids in the wrong practice group. Kids not being let in off the waitlist when large numbers of kids are not showing up ever - for the entire season. Coaches not showing up and it not being communicated to parents. No suggestions for what a swimmer should be swimming in meets. No focus on technical instruction. They don't even bother to field relay teams.

And yes, when a swimmer gets to a certain level, most leave the program.

Do you have to be a member of a country club to have your kid try out for a team based at a country club? For example, Army Navy.

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, just trying to figure out how this all works.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC Wave is not disorganized at all, but there will be two issues with joining the team. 1) I’d be surprised if they offer alternate dates, but you could ask. 2) even if your kid passes the tryout they have nowhere near enough spots for all the kids. Last year there were three places for new kids in the Dev 1 group at Wilson and more than 100 trying out. My sense was that at least half of those kids, probably more, were recommended for the team.

The problem this year is exacerbated as existing swimmers get to register first. After that, the kids on last years waitlist who passed the tryouts but didn’t get on the team due to lack of places get to register and only if there are any remaining places do new kids get a chance. I would expect few places.

Good luck!

There have been a lot of parents and coaches unhappy with communication, organization and responsiveness this year. It is not one of the more well-run teams. In addition, very few talented swimmers stay with DC Wave long term, which makes it harder for the kids who take swimming seriously, because they don't have a lot of peers in the pool with them. Your kids will make friends with their teammates, which makes starting with a new team suck, after you have figured out that DC Wave is not going to be a good fit for most serious swimmers.

Given that there are also so few spots, looking into other programs, especially if they are close to your house, is smart.

What exactly is wrong with communication? I have two kids in the program and have found all communication to be timely and all questions responded to reasonably. My kids “take swimming seriously” whatever that means and have no problem with peers either, but it’s not a program that’s going to produce Olympic swimmers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a NP also interested in the DC Waves tryouts for my child who will be 6 for the 22/23 year. Do the number of spots available vary by location? I'd like for him to get into the Developmental group that practices at Rumsey. Any experiences with younger swimmer tryouts, and how it works as far as getting your training location preference?

Thanks.

Again, really encourage you to look at other programs. There are very few spots, and the chances of a six year old making the team are essentially zero. Last year, they didn't take 7 and 8 year olds, and they had more openings than they will have this year.

This is completely untrue. Last year they were down a location and also had Covid restrictions. They also definitely took 8 year olds, I don’t know about younger than that. This year both Turkey Thicket and Takoma will be open again.

Anonymous wrote:I am a NP also interested in the DC Waves tryouts for my child who will be 6 for the 22/23 year. Do the number of spots available vary by location? I'd like for him to get into the Developmental group that practices at Rumsey. Any experiences with younger swimmer tryouts, and how it works as far as getting your training location preference?

Thanks.

Rumsey is a very popular location with not a lot of lane space.

Anonymous wrote:I am a NP also interested in the DC Waves tryouts for my child who will be 6 for the 22/23 year. Do the number of spots available vary by location? I'd like for him to get into the Developmental group that practices at Rumsey. Any experiences with younger swimmer tryouts, and how it works as far as getting your training location preference?

Thanks.

Again, really encourage you to look at other programs. There are very few spots, and the chances of a six year old making the team are essentially zero. Last year, they didn't take 7 and 8 year olds, and they had more openings than they will have this year.

I am a NP also interested in the DC Waves tryouts for my child who will be 6 for the 22/23 year. Do the number of spots available vary by location? I'd like for him to get into the Developmental group that practices at Rumsey. Any experiences with younger swimmer tryouts, and how it works as far as getting your training location preference?

Thanks.

OP, first always take any DCUM response with a grain of salt and try and figure out what your kid needs.

That being said, DC Wave is small and space limited. You should be looking into other options for reasons other posters have indicated.

Three USA swimming clubs have programs in DC or DC/MD combined sites that I know of. These are The Capitol Sea Devils (St. Albans, older kids at Wilson), NCAP (AU, levels sometimes overlap with Holton) and Tollefson (stroke and turn, endurance and possibly some team practices at St. Albans). Some of these may have had try outs already. It is worth reaching out to ALL of the above if they work geographically.

From DC close to the MD border AAC doesn't make sense. RMSC would also be much farther than any of the above, it is also space limited and try outs are very competitive due to space. Only NCAP AU or Holton would be close to the geographic area you mention.

Best to explore options and keep an open mind and see where your kid fits best.

Anonymous wrote:DC Wave is not disorganized at all, but there will be two issues with joining the team. 1) I’d be surprised if they offer alternate dates, but you could ask. 2) even if your kid passes the tryout they have nowhere near enough spots for all the kids. Last year there were three places for new kids in the Dev 1 group at Wilson and more than 100 trying out. My sense was that at least half of those kids, probably more, were recommended for the team.

The problem this year is exacerbated as existing swimmers get to register first. After that, the kids on last years waitlist who passed the tryouts but didn’t get on the team due to lack of places get to register and only if there are any remaining places do new kids get a chance. I would expect few places.

Good luck!

There have been a lot of parents and coaches unhappy with communication, organization and responsiveness this year. It is not one of the more well-run teams. In addition, very few talented swimmers stay with DC Wave long term, which makes it harder for the kids who take swimming seriously, because they don't have a lot of peers in the pool with them. Your kids will make friends with their teammates, which makes starting with a new team suck, after you have figured out that DC Wave is not going to be a good fit for most serious swimmers.

Given that there are also so few spots, looking into other programs, especially if they are close to your house, is smart.

DC Wave is not disorganized at all, but there will be two issues with joining the team. 1) I’d be surprised if they offer alternate dates, but you could ask. 2) even if your kid passes the tryout they have nowhere near enough spots for all the kids. Last year there were three places for new kids in the Dev 1 group at Wilson and more than 100 trying out. My sense was that at least half of those kids, probably more, were recommended for the team.

The problem this year is exacerbated as existing swimmers get to register first. After that, the kids on last years waitlist who passed the tryouts but didn’t get on the team due to lack of places get to register and only if there are any remaining places do new kids get a chance. I would expect few places.

Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recommend you look around at other programs, as well. DC Wave has been very disorganized these past few years and leaves a lot to be desired.

NP. What other programs are recommended?

Depends on where in the city you live. Some popular ones:

https://www.teamunify.com/team/pvsaac/page/home
https://www.nationscapitalswimming.com/
http://rmscswimming.com/

Anonymous wrote:I recommend you look around at other programs, as well. DC Wave has been very disorganized these past few years and leaves a lot to be desired.

NP. What other programs are recommended?

I recommend you look around at other programs, as well. DC Wave has been very disorganized these past few years and leaves a lot to be desired.

Reach out and let them know. They will work something out.

We just learned DC Wave tryouts are scheduled for dates in August when we were planning to be out of town. This would be my daughter’s first year trying out. Anyone out there know if they’ll be open to offering alternate tryout dates? Thanks.