If I lived in Northeast I would 100% look into HEAL for an 8 year old. Heard nothing but great things about both coaches and know a number of kids who did developmental swim or took privates with the coaches. What I think is great about HEAL is even some of there best young swimmers only do a few meets a year so they are not on this uber competitive stressed swim schedule all year from a super young age. Nonetheless, they have some swimmers with great technique that we see in the summer meets. Good Luck!