Anonymous wrote:Kid went a few years ago and it was a disaster (you can search the sports discussion board for the thread)

Coaches were so disorganized, four swimmers got sent home for bad behavior, kids couldn’t go back to their rooms between events bc the hotel co planned to the coaches and the coaches decided that was the easiest way to deal with it, kids calling home because they were so upset and exhausted- it was an AWFUL experience.

Hope it’s better this year!

My kid went that year and actually liked it. All the drama kept it interesting (nothing too terrible happened from what I heard). Maybe it helped that he’s a laid back middle child and went mostly for the experience. If your primary goal in going to Zones is to get best times, rather than the experience of team traveling with people outside of your bubble, this may not be the best meet for you.

*complained

Kid went a few years ago and it was a disaster (you can search the sports discussion board for the thread)

Coaches were so disorganized, four swimmers got sent home for bad behavior, kids couldn’t go back to their rooms between events bc the hotel co planned to the coaches and the coaches decided that was the easiest way to deal with it, kids calling home because they were so upset and exhausted- it was an AWFUL experience.

Hope it’s better this year!

Coach is great but also a big screamer when kids don’t swim well so be prepared.

Most of our club’s swimmers are skipping it. It’s unnecessarily expensive.

1st timers always want to go to Zones because its a nice accomplishment and the swag is great. Then they do the meet and it is a grind and they don't finish as well as they think they should and they hear about all of their friends who are finally on vacation.

Then the next time they get selected, like 40% begrudgingly go again. 60% are out.

After that, most kids are just like "see ya!"

Getting the bag and wearing the hoodie/jacket/etc at meets for the next couple years is what most kids want.

And I can confirm, last year sucked.

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone sending their kiddo to zones this year? Last year there weren’t a lot of kids from PVS. It’s closer this year but it’s team travel. My kiddo said no one they know is going so is leaning towards not going. I think the facility is nice but not sure about the tram travel part. Anyone do PVS team travel before? Should I encourage my swimmer to go?

My kid did PVS team travel ages ago... one time. Good experience, but as others have mentioned, it really extends the season. That was the #1 reason my oldest never went again and my youngest never did. They chose summer camp instead, and as a family we prioritized an August vacation. You cannot do all three.

I wouldn't make a decision based on going to that pool. Our club goes to a meet there annually, and there can be other opportunities in the future as well. My kids have been there for sectionals for example.

I have a kid who made it to college swimming, and I truly believe part of that success was letting them lead the decisions like this one and taking the breaks.

I have a 10U who is going for one day of swimming and then heading to sleep-away camp. Richmond is on our way there, or we wouldn’t likely go.

Anonymous wrote:10U is going (and that of course means I am, too, since the youngers are not team travel). Kid is very excited. I look on this as a chance to spend time with kid and gain more experience at sustaining the challenges of a travel meet.

Also have a 10U who is attending. Mine is excited, and it might be a fun experience.

10U is going (and that of course means I am, too, since the youngers are not team travel). Kid is very excited. I look on this as a chance to spend time with kid and gain more experience at sustaining the challenges of a travel meet.

Zones is like assembling an MLB all star team for one game. They are all good so does it really matter who coaches them?

My swimmer is also choosing not to go. School starts for us a week later and we are going on a much needed vacation. All their qualified teammates also opted out for the same reasons.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone sending their kiddo to zones this year? Last year there weren’t a lot of kids from PVS. It’s closer this year but it’s team travel. My kiddo said no one they know is going so is leaning towards not going. I think the facility is nice but not sure about the tram travel part. Anyone do PVS team travel before? Should I encourage my swimmer to go?

Head coach for Zones this year is amazing. My kid however wants a break after a busy summer

Agree that the head coach is amazing, but same, my kid wants a break. An extra week-ish of swimming is just too much.

We have friends who went last year and the travel situation was slightly different but I only heard negative things so we’re opting out.

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone sending their kiddo to zones this year? Last year there weren’t a lot of kids from PVS. It’s closer this year but it’s team travel. My kiddo said no one they know is going so is leaning towards not going. I think the facility is nice but not sure about the tram travel part. Anyone do PVS team travel before? Should I encourage my swimmer to go?

Head coach for Zones this year is amazing. My kid however wants a break after a busy summer

Is anyone sending their kiddo to zones this year? Last year there weren’t a lot of kids from PVS. It’s closer this year but it’s team travel. My kiddo said no one they know is going so is leaning towards not going. I think the facility is nice but not sure about the tram travel part. Anyone do PVS team travel before? Should I encourage my swimmer to go?