Some factors to consider -

Does your kid want to travel with his coaches and teammates? LC Zones, kid is really on own. LSC Coaches are nice but my kid has never felt like they got helpful coaching (but on the other hand, cool to meet other coaches). My kid has also enjoyed getting to know new swimmers at Zones, who they often see at big meets and finals. But cool to have big travel meet with teammates who you know well.

LC Zones is back in Richmond so will be a much cheaper trip than Florida, most likely, if cost is a factor.

Does your kid prefer the LC or SC pool? Are they closer to a next-level cut (ie, sectionals) in one or the other?

My kid did both last year (SC NCSA and LC Zones) and I felt that Zones was a faster/more competitive meet. Part of the reason for that is that kids are not allowed bonus events at Zones, only events they actually qualify for, whereas NCSA allows bonus events.

OP here thanks for the insights- I should clarify, the team is going to NCSAs in March and my swimmer will qualify for Zones in the summer based on their times, but we can’t go to both meets bc of financial constraints, so I am wondering which to take them to- coach is noncommittal on the topic, sigh

TIA

Anonymous wrote:I thought winter SC age group zones was invited swimmers only - so too 2-3 kids in each event in the LSC.

My kid’s club doesn’t send people though even when they are at that level. They always do the Florida meet.

Some clubs don’t send kids to SC/spring zones (in favor other meets, especially FL ones) and Eastern zones has transitioned to QTs as well. Last year, spring champs was scored by team, not LSC, summer was by LSC. Between Covid and meet changes, I’m not sure of set up this year (although it is QTs).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought winter SC age group zones was invited swimmers only - so too 2-3 kids in each event in the LSC.

My kid’s club doesn’t send people though even when they are at that level. They always do the Florida meet.

Zones is kids who make the cut times from the entire Eastern Zone. Your LSC may have additional rules about who swims zones.

For the SC Eastern Zones, you swim for your club not the LSC, at the long course Zones you swim for your LSC. For our club, the SC Eastern Zones is like any meet with a QT, if you have a cut you get to go. The SC Eastern Zones also has bonus events, so each qualifier is guaranteed to be able to swim 4 events.

Anonymous wrote:I thought winter SC age group zones was invited swimmers only - so too 2-3 kids in each event in the LSC.

My kid’s club doesn’t send people though even when they are at that level. They always do the Florida meet.

Zones is kids who make the cut times from the entire Eastern Zone. Your LSC may have additional rules about who swims zones.

Isn’t NCSA just an invitational? Like any other hosted meet with cut times?

I thought winter SC age group zones was invited swimmers only - so too 2-3 kids in each event in the LSC.

My kid’s club doesn’t send people though even when they are at that level. They always do the Florida meet.

I don’t know anything about NCSA. Zones you compete on your LSC’s team. It was a very fast meet last time.

Does PVS not do NCSA? Is that a club level meet?

We’ve been to both with two different teams. NCSA Age Group champs is bigger and more popular in terms of sheer number of swimmers and as the pp pointed out it is a more expensive trip with more touristy things to do should you choose to stay on later. In terms of dropping time my kid had big time drops and fun at both meets. There will be good competition at both. This year our team is going to ISCA so after April we will have done all three, however I expect it will be similar in terms of being a big, competitive meet. Honestly I would recommend going where the majority of your team and training group choose to attend.

Ncsa:
https://swimstandards.com/ncsa/age-group-times

Zones:
http://www.easternzoneswimming.org/meet_info/2023_SC_Zones_Qualifying_Times.pdf

Anonymous wrote:NCSA is a higher level meet. On the other hand, NCSA age group champs is now overcrowded and many find it chaotic. The venue is not great for spectators and hotels are expensive in March. Driving vs flying may be a consideration for you.

From a time drop perspective, it might depend which your training group is focusing on and how that taper hits. Another factor is the likelihood of making finals.

Fun and comfort level can depend on how many teammates are going and if your coach is going. In our club, a kid’s usual coach may not be the one traveling to a meet. We typically do not do zones, so I’m not sure how that’s running these days (LSC vs personal team coaches).

We are a big NCSA club and my kids have always done that one.

How so? Aren’t zones cuts much, much harder?

Zones should be the better meet.

NCSA is a higher level meet. On the other hand, NCSA age group champs is now overcrowded and many find it chaotic. The venue is not great for spectators and hotels are expensive in March. Driving vs flying may be a consideration for you.

From a time drop perspective, it might depend which your training group is focusing on and how that taper hits. Another factor is the likelihood of making finals.

Fun and comfort level can depend on how many teammates are going and if your coach is going. In our club, a kid’s usual coach may not be the one traveling to a meet. We typically do not do zones, so I’m not sure how that’s running these days (LSC vs personal team coaches).

We are a big NCSA club and my kids have always done that one.

the fact that NCSAs in in Orlando probably makes is more fun but from a "drop time" perspective, which is better?