Anonymous wrote:So interesting to read all of these posts. I think it is pretty clear that there is variability within clubs (for coaching styles). It would be great if folks could "try out" programs to see if it fits their kid/s, but unfortunately in this area, swimming is really competitive and kids that are not elite will not be able to swap clubs as easily. FWIW (based on experience): Toll has history of being good with younger kids, though has some older kids - not tolerant of multi-sport kids (petty director), RMSC bit more factory like with younger kids (older too) but some real gem coaches exist across all ages (can be intense at some sites); NCAP - pretty racially limited club, though if fast and white/asian - might be a good fit. Also diversity among their sites re: coaching. ASA - gets a few +s/-s as well. Bottom line - if you are a serious swimmer, be prepared to work hard regardless of the club. If the coaching/environment is terrible, make a change.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:within all these clubs are good and bad coaches. that's why it's not easy to say Ncap vs rmsc vs toll vs ASA etc. you have to do your research on the coaches your kid would have for their age group and level of commitment
Without knowing who will be the coach for any specific age group, and coaching staff could change anytime, rule of thumb: Ncap=rmsc, then ASA, then toll.
I know families with each program and have never been able to gather a clear consensus. I know families who praise each program and also families who are critical. There is definitely no one size fits all.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:within all these clubs are good and bad coaches. that's why it's not easy to say Ncap vs rmsc vs toll vs ASA etc. you have to do your research on the coaches your kid would have for their age group and level of commitment
Without knowing who will be the coach for any specific age group, and coaching staff could change anytime, rule of thumb: Ncap=rmsc, then ASA, then toll.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:within all these clubs are good and bad coaches. that's why it's not easy to say Ncap vs rmsc vs toll vs ASA etc. you have to do your research on the coaches your kid would have for their age group and level of commitment
Without knowing who will be the coach for any specific age group, and coaching staff could change anytime, rule of thumb: Ncap=rmsc, then ASA, then toll.
Anonymous wrote:within all these clubs are good and bad coaches. that's why it's not easy to say Ncap vs rmsc vs toll vs ASA etc. you have to do your research on the coaches your kid would have for their age group and level of commitment
Anonymous wrote:Had one child switch to Toll and initially saw improvement in times that correlated with more swim practices. Unfortunately, as they age, coaches want swimmers only to swim (vs other sport) and lay on a pretty heavy guilt trip. Def also favour the fastest swimmers (despite saying otherwise). However - not sure this is necessarily different anywhere else. No direct experience with NCAP-Prep though have generally heard good things about them and practices seemed rigorous (same time as Toll). RMSC is not bad either, but coach quality may be somewhat site dependent (in general, when younger, comes across as lap swimming factory instead of technique, unlike Toll - who seems a bit better at in the younger set teaching technique). Again, no direct NCAP experience (only 2nd hand).