Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a year-round swimmer, 9 yo, not the fastest but a hard worker, and very coachable. We are contemplating a move to a different neighborhood about 45 minutes away but the two pools that are closest are known for having epic waitlists to get in. Is there any way to get preference, or do people just suck it up and wait? We really like our summer pool but driving to daily practices there is impossible. Honestly this is the biggest hurdle to us moving - our lifestyle otherwise would greatly improve by having more space and better schools.

My kid is a year round swimmer as well, and there is no way we would not do something that would greatly improve our lifestyle because of the 6-8 week summer swim season. That seems insane.

I agree with PP and have older highly competitive swimmers. Summer swim is not a reason to move to a better home/space and better schools. It is 8 weeks of a sport that will not get your kid into college. On top of that, most swimmers quit between 13-16 because they find other things that become their passion that they discover in middle and high school.

The scenario you pose would be like a parent getting on here and not wanting to move because the preschool that their child is in is so great. Your child will outgrow preschool and it will be a distant memory. If your child is serious about swim - there is club. And the odds are you will be able to find a summer pool close to the new home until you get into the closer pools.

Summer swim is fun. But in the scheme of the bigger picture, it will blend. I think parents become so invested in it as well because all the families have to pitch in and work summer to make the season happen.

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a year-round swimmer, 9 yo, not the fastest but a hard worker, and very coachable. We are contemplating a move to a different neighborhood about 45 minutes away but the two pools that are closest are known for having epic waitlists to get in. Is there any way to get preference, or do people just suck it up and wait? We really like our summer pool but driving to daily practices there is impossible. Honestly this is the biggest hurdle to us moving - our lifestyle otherwise would greatly improve by having more space and better schools.

My kid is a year round swimmer as well, and there is no way we would not do something that would greatly improve our lifestyle because of the 6-8 week summer swim season. That seems insane.

If this an issue with summer swim, and you are in Montgomery County, you can just join one of the county-run MCSL teams: the Bethesda Barracudas, Germantown Torpedoes, Glenmont Gators, Long Branch Water Wizards, Poolesville Piranhas and the Upper County Dolphins.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Omg - why would you get to skip the line?

Just put your name on the list as soon as possible. It may go faster than normal.

Our pool waitlist was 10 years last I heard. But I think we allow people to have a limited membership if they join the swim team.

You must not be NVSL, bc this isn't allowed.

It could be an associate/annual/non-bond membership not specifically catered for swim team.

Anonymous wrote:I’d contact the pools directly and ask about the swim team and ask if memberships convey with house sales.

Then expand your search. Maybe the 2 closest pools have waitlists but one a little further doesn’t?

Also my thought. Join the waitlist and then in the meantime join a club that is a little further away (depending on the OP’s location).