Anonymous
Post 08/02/2025 22:38     Subject: NVSL All-stars
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:USA Swimming rules state 4 ft as the minimum depth for starting from blocks or a deck. Under 4ft, in the water starts (eg push off from the wall) should be performed. NVSL makes exceptions to the USA swimming rules to accommodate the inadequate facilities.



I guess the naysayers know more than USA swimming as they are unable to admit it is a danger.


1. I don't think anyone said that it's not a danger. It's a calculated risk, it's not ideal, and the only other option was to not have IAS. If you feel this is too much of a risk, you are welcome to sit your child out. No one is forcing you to let your child swim. If you believe the option of not having a meet - you are making yourself judge and jury to determine the amount of risk you feel everyone else should be comfortable with. Once more for those in the back - if you feel the risk is too great YOUR CHILD DOESN"T HAVE TO SWIM.

2. I would wager 80% of NVSL pools (and other Northern VA summer leagues to Colonial Swimming League, Reston Swim Team Association, and Country Club League) do not have a 4ft deep start end.


There is merit to the argument that summer leagues should find safer venues. Yes, your child doesn’t have to participate. This is the same argument that people made when a few disgruntled parents argued for 12 and under soccer players not to head the ball, or for safe sport rules that prohibit coaches from being alone with a child, or for coaches to stop weight-shaming children. Of course, your child doesn’t have to participate. But that’s a dumb argument that ignores whether or not the organization should improve. The only argument that is worthwhile is that shallow diving is a low risk, and therefore acceptable. And since shallow diving can have a catastrophic consequence, the risk has to be very very very low.

Is it unsafe to dive into shallow water? Yes, but maybe it’s not unsafe enough to warrant spending money to rent a large venue that could host a SCM meet. In this country, it’s usually the insurance that determines the answer. Who is liable if someone gets injured diving into a shallow pool?

Anonymous
Post 08/02/2025 22:36     Subject: NVSL All-stars
Anonymous wrote:



And start paying timers and officials. I think it probably time to at least consider this.



I don't need to get paid. I would settle for a coupon for a hamburger and five minutes to eat it.


If we're talking about $10 a splash, I want to get paid.
Anonymous
Post 08/02/2025 21:02     Subject: NVSL All-stars



And start paying timers and officials. I think it probably time to at least consider this.



I don't need to get paid. I would settle for a coupon for a hamburger and five minutes to eat it.
Anonymous
Post 08/02/2025 10:16     Subject: Re:NVSL All-stars
Die thread DIE!!!
Anonymous
Post 08/02/2025 10:00     Subject: Re:NVSL All-stars
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This got hashed and rehashed last summer.

NVSL should have a list of agreed upon criteria a pool must meet to host the league wide meets. Evaluate all the pools in the league and identify which ones are suitable. Incentivize those pools to host somehow (entry fees, other ideas?). If none step up, don't have the meet.

The histrionics about well if you don't like it your pool should do it are a waste of time.


They do. And Pinecrest was evaluated against all that criteria before they were given the go-ahead to host.

Water depth was not part of the criteria to be evaluated for a swim meet not using in-water starts? That’s laughable and quite frankly kind of illustrates why summer league should not be taken as seriously as people in NVSL take it.


Did someone say it wasn’t?

It’s a total joke if someone considered water depth and thought 2.5 feet is just fine. I’m not an NVSL parent but just reading this thread it is shocking to me how many parents are so indignant and acting like diving into 2.5 feet of water is NBD. It’s not a personal affront to anyone. I would defy you to find anything supporting the idea of recreational swimmers diving into 2.5 feet of water as a safe practice. My kid swims year round, so yes they could do it, but whether kids can do it and whether they should be doing it are 2 different things. I have a hard time comprehending that this league that everyone in this area touts as one of the nation’s top summer swim leagues does this.


+1. I have an 8U swimmer who has objectively terrible starts, and these shallow depth starts are nightmare fuel for me even with him starting at the deeper end.

Learning these shallow dives takes time and skill to get from bellyflop to streamline, which isn’t happening at summer swim. I realize IAS is going to be mostly club swimmers but it shouldn’t be downright unsafe for kids who are just getting into the sport and who happen to be quick.
Anonymous
Post 08/01/2025 15:37     Subject: NVSL All-stars
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Let's talk about pools that would be a good alternative. I'll start.

Waynewood, Stratford, Springboard, they've all hosted IAS and definitely fit the criteria. Waynewood and Springboard in particular have big fields for team areas.


I think WW is a great option!! They hosted Division 7 Relays this year and did an excellent job. They have two pools so warm-ups and cool downs can go on during the meet, huge soccer field next to pool area for team areas, lots of parking between the neighborhood streets, elementary school and the 2 churches nearby.
They also have a dedicated rectangular 6 lane lap pool so you’re not navigating around a diving well or shallow/play area attached to the lanes. Much better for officials! Honestly the only negative is that it’s kind of far for some of the teams from the western side of the county.

I would also suggest Sleepy Hollow, they also have two pools and lots of grassy space (although less than WW), they have much less parking.


Great -- so when approached, what did they say?


Exactly. Nobody wants to host, and I don't blame them. If NVSL or its members want more suitable pools to host IAS, then they need to make it more a more enticing or profitable proposition.


Have you seen NVSL financials? They are tight. They give the host pool $10k and that just about covers expenses.


Makes perfect sense. This is the largest swim league in the US after all, with 102 teams and 17,000 swimmers. Teams charge an extra dollar per swimmer = $17k.


Could also charge swimmers a $10 per even fee just like in USA swim meets, host pools keeps the $8640



And start paying timers and officials. I think it probably time to at least consider this.

Anonymous
Post 08/01/2025 15:35     Subject: NVSL All-stars
Anonymous wrote:I would like our team to charge meet entry fees for B and A meets


Definitely there should be a charge for the extra meets. Divisional relays, all star relays, individual all stars. It is nuts they don't already do this. Don't know why the broader league which is supposed to be for everyone is footing the bill for these meets.
Anonymous
Post 08/01/2025 15:30     Subject: NVSL All-stars
I would like our team to charge meet entry fees for B and A meets
Anonymous
Post 08/01/2025 14:08     Subject: NVSL All-stars
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Let's talk about pools that would be a good alternative. I'll start.

Waynewood, Stratford, Springboard, they've all hosted IAS and definitely fit the criteria. Waynewood and Springboard in particular have big fields for team areas.


I think WW is a great option!! They hosted Division 7 Relays this year and did an excellent job. They have two pools so warm-ups and cool downs can go on during the meet, huge soccer field next to pool area for team areas, lots of parking between the neighborhood streets, elementary school and the 2 churches nearby.
They also have a dedicated rectangular 6 lane lap pool so you’re not navigating around a diving well or shallow/play area attached to the lanes. Much better for officials! Honestly the only negative is that it’s kind of far for some of the teams from the western side of the county.

I would also suggest Sleepy Hollow, they also have two pools and lots of grassy space (although less than WW), they have much less parking.


Great -- so when approached, what did they say?


Exactly. Nobody wants to host, and I don't blame them. If NVSL or its members want more suitable pools to host IAS, then they need to make it more a more enticing or profitable proposition.


Have you seen NVSL financials? They are tight. They give the host pool $10k and that just about covers expenses.


Makes perfect sense. This is the largest swim league in the US after all, with 102 teams and 17,000 swimmers. Teams charge an extra dollar per swimmer = $17k.


Could also charge swimmers a $10 per even fee just like in USA swim meets, host pools keeps the $8640
Anonymous
Post 08/01/2025 08:57     Subject: NVSL All-stars
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Let's talk about pools that would be a good alternative. I'll start.

Waynewood, Stratford, Springboard, they've all hosted IAS and definitely fit the criteria. Waynewood and Springboard in particular have big fields for team areas.


I think WW is a great option!! They hosted Division 7 Relays this year and did an excellent job. They have two pools so warm-ups and cool downs can go on during the meet, huge soccer field next to pool area for team areas, lots of parking between the neighborhood streets, elementary school and the 2 churches nearby.
They also have a dedicated rectangular 6 lane lap pool so you’re not navigating around a diving well or shallow/play area attached to the lanes. Much better for officials! Honestly the only negative is that it’s kind of far for some of the teams from the western side of the county.

I would also suggest Sleepy Hollow, they also have two pools and lots of grassy space (although less than WW), they have much less parking.


Great -- so when approached, what did they say?


Exactly. Nobody wants to host, and I don't blame them. If NVSL or its members want more suitable pools to host IAS, then they need to make it more a more enticing or profitable proposition.


Have you seen NVSL financials? They are tight. They give the host pool $10k and that just about covers expenses.


Makes perfect sense. This is the largest swim league in the US after all, with 102 teams and 17,000 swimmers. Teams charge an extra dollar per swimmer = $17k.
Anonymous
Post 08/01/2025 08:45     Subject: NVSL All-stars
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Let's talk about pools that would be a good alternative. I'll start.

Waynewood, Stratford, Springboard, they've all hosted IAS and definitely fit the criteria. Waynewood and Springboard in particular have big fields for team areas.


I think WW is a great option!! They hosted Division 7 Relays this year and did an excellent job. They have two pools so warm-ups and cool downs can go on during the meet, huge soccer field next to pool area for team areas, lots of parking between the neighborhood streets, elementary school and the 2 churches nearby.
They also have a dedicated rectangular 6 lane lap pool so you’re not navigating around a diving well or shallow/play area attached to the lanes. Much better for officials! Honestly the only negative is that it’s kind of far for some of the teams from the western side of the county.

I would also suggest Sleepy Hollow, they also have two pools and lots of grassy space (although less than WW), they have much less parking.


Great -- so when approached, what did they say?


Exactly. Nobody wants to host, and I don't blame them. If NVSL or its members want more suitable pools to host IAS, then they need to make it more a more enticing or profitable proposition.


Have you seen NVSL financials? They are tight. They give the host pool $10k and that just about covers expenses.
Anonymous
Post 07/31/2025 18:15     Subject: NVSL All-stars
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Let's talk about pools that would be a good alternative. I'll start.

Waynewood, Stratford, Springboard, they've all hosted IAS and definitely fit the criteria. Waynewood and Springboard in particular have big fields for team areas.


I think WW is a great option!! They hosted Division 7 Relays this year and did an excellent job. They have two pools so warm-ups and cool downs can go on during the meet, huge soccer field next to pool area for team areas, lots of parking between the neighborhood streets, elementary school and the 2 churches nearby.
They also have a dedicated rectangular 6 lane lap pool so you’re not navigating around a diving well or shallow/play area attached to the lanes. Much better for officials! Honestly the only negative is that it’s kind of far for some of the teams from the western side of the county.

I would also suggest Sleepy Hollow, they also have two pools and lots of grassy space (although less than WW), they have much less parking.


Great -- so when approached, what did they say?


Exactly. Nobody wants to host, and I don't blame them. If NVSL or its members want more suitable pools to host IAS, then they need to make it more a more enticing or profitable proposition.
Anonymous
Post 07/31/2025 14:33     Subject: NVSL All-stars
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Let's talk about pools that would be a good alternative. I'll start.

Waynewood, Stratford, Springboard, they've all hosted IAS and definitely fit the criteria. Waynewood and Springboard in particular have big fields for team areas.


I think WW is a great option!! They hosted Division 7 Relays this year and did an excellent job. They have two pools so warm-ups and cool downs can go on during the meet, huge soccer field next to pool area for team areas, lots of parking between the neighborhood streets, elementary school and the 2 churches nearby.
They also have a dedicated rectangular 6 lane lap pool so you’re not navigating around a diving well or shallow/play area attached to the lanes. Much better for officials! Honestly the only negative is that it’s kind of far for some of the teams from the western side of the county.

I would also suggest Sleepy Hollow, they also have two pools and lots of grassy space (although less than WW), they have much less parking.


Great -- so when approached, what did they say?
Anonymous
Post 07/30/2025 21:43     Subject: NVSL All-stars
Anonymous wrote:Let's talk about pools that would be a good alternative. I'll start.

Waynewood, Stratford, Springboard, they've all hosted IAS and definitely fit the criteria. Waynewood and Springboard in particular have big fields for team areas.


I think WW is a great option!! They hosted Division 7 Relays this year and did an excellent job. They have two pools so warm-ups and cool downs can go on during the meet, huge soccer field next to pool area for team areas, lots of parking between the neighborhood streets, elementary school and the 2 churches nearby.
They also have a dedicated rectangular 6 lane lap pool so you’re not navigating around a diving well or shallow/play area attached to the lanes. Much better for officials! Honestly the only negative is that it’s kind of far for some of the teams from the western side of the county.

I would also suggest Sleepy Hollow, they also have two pools and lots of grassy space (although less than WW), they have much less parking.
Anonymous
Post 07/30/2025 10:33     Subject: NVSL All-stars
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:USA Swimming rules state 4 ft as the minimum depth for starting from blocks or a deck. Under 4ft, in the water starts (eg push off from the wall) should be performed. NVSL makes exceptions to the USA swimming rules to accommodate the inadequate facilities.



I guess the naysayers know more than USA swimming as they are unable to admit it is a danger.


You are talking about diving off of blocks vs coping stones. That is a huge difference.