Anonymous wrote:There’s a lot of stupid jockeying in this sub about best and worst clubs, sites, etc. Here’s a chance to positively reflect: Does your swimmer have a coach that is an exceptional teacher? Someone who breaks down the strokes (or maybe just really good at teaching, let’s say, backstroke)? Someone who has clearly developed swimmers? Who are the exceptional teachers out there (and where do they coach/what site)?

Scott Tsuchitani with Makos is phenomenal.

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Anonymous wrote:Anna Cheng, MLK site for RMSC (also at Stonegate). Works with the minis and jrs. Doesn't get the big accolades for the more advanced groups coaches, but she lays the foundation for all of it. Breaks down every race, every distance, every stroke so even a 5 year old can grasp it. My kids learned a ton from her.

No experience with that practice site… but currently they have 2-3 8 years old swimmers who are so fast and advanced in skills… I always wonder how they are trained

They are offered 4 practices a week, 45 minutes to an hour depending on the day. The super fast kids typically attend all 4 plus maybe one 30 minute private lesson. Its nothing crazy practice wise at all, just a crew of really motivated kids who push eachother, and a coach that genuinely cares about them.

Good to know… a caring coach and a few talented kids leading the way, you’d want your kids to be in that group

I mean... 3.5 hours out of a whole week doesnt feel all that excessive to me, but to each their own!

It really depends on what they are doing. Swimming involves more repetitive activity and less downtime during practice than many other sports. Can burn out the shoulders prematurely if you start a lot of conditioning too soon. I am not saying that's what happens at RMSC, just generally speaking.

Anonymous wrote:Trish Buswell - NCAP

+1 one of the best swim teacher/coaches in the DC area.

Trish Buswell - NCAP

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Anonymous wrote:Anna Cheng, MLK site for RMSC (also at Stonegate). Works with the minis and jrs. Doesn't get the big accolades for the more advanced groups coaches, but she lays the foundation for all of it. Breaks down every race, every distance, every stroke so even a 5 year old can grasp it. My kids learned a ton from her.

No experience with that practice site… but currently they have 2-3 8 years old swimmers who are so fast and advanced in skills… I always wonder how they are trained

They are offered 4 practices a week, 45 minutes to an hour depending on the day. The super fast kids typically attend all 4 plus maybe one 30 minute private lesson. Its nothing crazy practice wise at all, just a crew of really motivated kids who push eachother, and a coach that genuinely cares about them.

Good to know… a caring coach and a few talented kids leading the way, you’d want your kids to be in that group

I mean... 3.5 hours out of a whole week doesnt feel all that excessive to me, but to each their own!

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Anonymous wrote:Anna Cheng, MLK site for RMSC (also at Stonegate). Works with the minis and jrs. Doesn't get the big accolades for the more advanced groups coaches, but she lays the foundation for all of it. Breaks down every race, every distance, every stroke so even a 5 year old can grasp it. My kids learned a ton from her.

No experience with that practice site… but currently they have 2-3 8 years old swimmers who are so fast and advanced in skills… I always wonder how they are trained

They are offered 4 practices a week, 45 minutes to an hour depending on the day. The super fast kids typically attend all 4 plus maybe one 30 minute private lesson. Its nothing crazy practice wise at all, just a crew of really motivated kids who push eachother, and a coach that genuinely cares about them.

Good to know… a caring coach and a few talented kids leading the way, you’d want your kids to be in that group

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Anonymous wrote:Anna Cheng, MLK site for RMSC (also at Stonegate). Works with the minis and jrs. Doesn't get the big accolades for the more advanced groups coaches, but she lays the foundation for all of it. Breaks down every race, every distance, every stroke so even a 5 year old can grasp it. My kids learned a ton from her.

No experience with that practice site… but currently they have 2-3 8 years old swimmers who are so fast and advanced in skills… I always wonder how they are trained

They are offered 4 practices a week, 45 minutes to an hour depending on the day. The super fast kids typically attend all 4 plus maybe one 30 minute private lesson. Its nothing crazy practice wise at all, just a crew of really motivated kids who push eachother, and a coach that genuinely cares about them.

That's a lot for 8 and under. I have seen those kids at meets and they do look like they train more than other kids their age just by looking at their starts, turns, and technique. I would be concerned about burning them out too young. The repetitiveness of swimming can get to you even if you love it. Better not to start on that path too early. 8 year olds don't need to be swimming more than twice a week in the winter.

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Anonymous wrote:Anna Cheng, MLK site for RMSC (also at Stonegate). Works with the minis and jrs. Doesn't get the big accolades for the more advanced groups coaches, but she lays the foundation for all of it. Breaks down every race, every distance, every stroke so even a 5 year old can grasp it. My kids learned a ton from her.

No experience with that practice site… but currently they have 2-3 8 years old swimmers who are so fast and advanced in skills… I always wonder how they are trained

They are offered 4 practices a week, 45 minutes to an hour depending on the day. The super fast kids typically attend all 4 plus maybe one 30 minute private lesson. Its nothing crazy practice wise at all, just a crew of really motivated kids who push eachother, and a coach that genuinely cares about them.

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Anonymous wrote:Ok we have coaches from NCAP, Machine and Sea Devils shouted out on here. Marlins? Fish? Fairfax Foxes? Makos? AAC? Hydra? Moon Aquatic Club?

Bill Marlin is a gem and the entire Cub Run team is solid. James, Reid and Rick are like the perfect coaching trifecta.

Considering switching to Marlins Cub Run from somewhere else because we might have more carpool options than we do now, and more friends on the team. What are the practices like for 9-10 year olds? Is it a good balance between stroke technique and conditioning? Is there an option for a 12 year old who is more into other sports, but likes maintaining strokes and fitness for summer swim?

Practices for AGSD (mostly 9-10 year olds) at Cub Run are 2-3 times per week for a hour. Summer optional. Great mix of technique and conditioning. Led by one of the best coaches though so fills up quickly. And yes, there is a non competitive track for 12 yo

Kelly Rose @ NCAP TY for age group. My HS swimmer still stops by to talk to her despite being out of her group for several years. All my kids love her.

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Anonymous wrote:Anna Cheng, MLK site for RMSC (also at Stonegate). Works with the minis and jrs. Doesn't get the big accolades for the more advanced groups coaches, but she lays the foundation for all of it. Breaks down every race, every distance, every stroke so even a 5 year old can grasp it. My kids learned a ton from her.

No experience with that practice site… but currently they have 2-3 8 years old swimmers who are so fast and advanced in skills… I always wonder how they are trained

We practice there. I know which kids you’re talking about, and it’s probably 95% natural talent and 5% coaching at that age.

Just echoing that Coach Evan at Machine Chesterbrook is one is the best coaches we have had and seen. Also, we were at the Autumn Kingfish meet this past Fall and I was touched by the enthusiasm and 1:1 coaching each of the Machine coaches gave every swimmer, including a coach cheering from behind the block for a brand new 9-10 swimmer doing a 100 for the first time. I’m an official and have not witnessed that level of across-the-board coaching with any other club. I can tell it is a core value.

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Anonymous wrote:We have thought about switching to Machine but why does Machine have their 9 and 10 year olds swim for 1.5 hours 3x a week. That seems like too much to me. Can anyone offer an opinion on that?

They don't. Most of your 10Us will likely be in Gears. Gears green is typically twice a week. If you go up to gears silver then it can be 3 times a week. That .25 to .5 hours is likely dryland. And no that's not strength training. It's mostly stretching and dynamic mobility stuff. If you have questions, your best bet is to reach out to the site head directly than ask here.

+1

Parent of multiple kids who have gone through Machine Gears (Green and Silver).

Anonymous wrote:Anna Cheng, MLK site for RMSC (also at Stonegate). Works with the minis and jrs. Doesn't get the big accolades for the more advanced groups coaches, but she lays the foundation for all of it. Breaks down every race, every distance, every stroke so even a 5 year old can grasp it. My kids learned a ton from her.

No experience with that practice site… but currently they have 2-3 8 years old swimmers who are so fast and advanced in skills… I always wonder how they are trained

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok we have coaches from NCAP, Machine and Sea Devils shouted out on here. Marlins? Fish? Fairfax Foxes? Makos? AAC? Hydra? Moon Aquatic Club?

Bill Marlin is a gem and the entire Cub Run team is solid. James, Reid and Rick are like the perfect coaching trifecta.

Considering switching to Marlins Cub Run from somewhere else because we might have more carpool options than we do now, and more friends on the team. What are the practices like for 9-10 year olds? Is it a good balance between stroke technique and conditioning? Is there an option for a 12 year old who is more into other sports, but likes maintaining strokes and fitness for summer swim?