Thank you for this. I will look into the process for becoming an official.

Anonymous wrote:This is why I am a stroke and turn official. And why DC kept trying out for RMSC until she finally made it in at 12. We’re better positioned to pay now than when they were younger, but getting into RMSC and then getting the officials discount is how we’ve been able to pull off 7 years and counting of 2 kids in club swim.

My kids aren't fast enough yet to make the cut for RMSC, but we will keep trying.

Anonymous wrote:RMSC and AAC are county programs and cost less because they do not pay for lane rental.

You should look at them depending on where you are. If you live further out from the city neither will work as an option.

Tollefson also gives a substantial discount if you become an official

This is why I am a stroke and turn official. And why DC kept trying out for RMSC until she finally made it in at 12. We’re better positioned to pay now than when they were younger, but getting into RMSC and then getting the officials discount is how we’ve been able to pull off 7 years and counting of 2 kids in club swim.

RMSC and AAC are county programs and cost less because they do not pay for lane rental.

You should look at them depending on where you are. If you live further out from the city neither will work as an option.

Where are you located how much are you paying? AAC seems to be more reasonably priced than a lot of clubs.

Anonymous wrote:Pool space.

Let's build more pools in that empty office space!

Pools are ridiculously expensive to operate and maintain so that cost gets passed on to team for lane rentals and meet rentals. There is also a shortage of lanes in the area. If you look around most pools are booked solid from 5-8am and 3-9pm with various swim practices. Also, well trained and experienced coaches cost money. It isn’t a sport where you can realistically rely on parent volunteer coaches.

I have multiple swimmers and meet fees can be insane on top of club fees. PVS is one of the few that offer monthly opens for low fees.

Certain clubs host lots of meets and their fees are ungodly.

Pool space.

Some teams waive meet fees if you volunteer to be an official. It’s worth asking.

Anonymous wrote:The cost of pool rental and insurance for starters is very $$$

Came here to say the same. Clubs rent space per lane per hour, which isn’t cheap given the high cost to operate an aquatic facility. Then there’s coach and any other employee compensation. Then whatever fees the club I assume has to pay to the LSC and USA Swimming. Then insurance (which is high for anything pool-related), technology platforms, etc.

The cost of pool rental and insurance for starters is very $$$

Even RMSC is not inexpensive; club swim costs $$ as well as lots of parents’s time

This is my kids' first year of doing club swimming after a couple years of just doing summer swim team. Why is it so ungodly expensive? The kids seem to be enjoying it, but I don't know if we will be able to afford to do it long term. I realize I'm probably asking/venting in the wrong place since everyone on DCUM is rich, but how do people afford this, especially for multiple kids?
What are the cheaper options? (my kids would not qualify for RMSC).