Anonymous wrote:My kid was invited to turkey claus but then her team backed out because it’s also during Xmas champs. Kind of a bummer since she usually doesn’t get invitationals.

That sucks. Turkey Claus is awesome because they run it like NCI or RMSC Holiday Invite and have prelims and finals, an experience that sometimes the kids at Turkey Claus wouldn’t otherwise get to have. Having meets like that is a good way to keep kids swimming even if they aren’t at the elite level.

My kid was invited to turkey claus but then her team backed out because it’s also during Xmas champs. Kind of a bummer since she usually doesn’t get invitationals.

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Anonymous wrote:UMD is probably the best pool in the area for times. So Turkey Claus is fun.

What makes it such a good pool?

Although 8 lanes it is considered a fast pool where kids generally get better times.

The facility is bright with lots of deck space and tons of spectating seating (considered the gold standard).

UMD is probably one of the best pools on the east coast. It is a very fast pool, and very fan friendly. The only negative is that parking is confusing and can be far. Make sure to park legally, you will get a ticket if you don't!

One year they had parking at the golf course and ran shuttles - that was nice. Last year I paid and it turned out I could have walked from the Marriott as the parking was so far away. Hopefully no issues with the Friday parking this year.

On Fridays definitely walk from the Marriott- I am the nice mom, I warm up the car, drop of my swimmer go back to the Marriott and walk to the pool. After prelims I walk back to the car, pick up my kid- I repeat for finals. Definitely get my 10K steps

I’ll do the same this year as the parking in the far lot that was offered wasn’t worth paying for. I’ve also considered Uber! Lol

Do they charge for parking?

On Fridays, yes. Otherwise, depends on where you are parking.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UMD is probably the best pool in the area for times. So Turkey Claus is fun.

What makes it such a good pool?

Although 8 lanes it is considered a fast pool where kids generally get better times.

The facility is bright with lots of deck space and tons of spectating seating (considered the gold standard).

UMD is probably one of the best pools on the east coast. It is a very fast pool, and very fan friendly. The only negative is that parking is confusing and can be far. Make sure to park legally, you will get a ticket if you don't!

One year they had parking at the golf course and ran shuttles - that was nice. Last year I paid and it turned out I could have walked from the Marriott as the parking was so far away. Hopefully no issues with the Friday parking this year.

On Fridays definitely walk from the Marriott- I am the nice mom, I warm up the car, drop of my swimmer go back to the Marriott and walk to the pool. After prelims I walk back to the car, pick up my kid- I repeat for finals. Definitely get my 10K steps

I’ll do the same this year as the parking in the far lot that was offered wasn’t worth paying for. I’ve also considered Uber! Lol

Do they charge for parking?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UMD is probably the best pool in the area for times. So Turkey Claus is fun.

What makes it such a good pool?

Although 8 lanes it is considered a fast pool where kids generally get better times.

The facility is bright with lots of deck space and tons of spectating seating (considered the gold standard).

UMD is probably one of the best pools on the east coast. It is a very fast pool, and very fan friendly. The only negative is that parking is confusing and can be far. Make sure to park legally, you will get a ticket if you don't!

One year they had parking at the golf course and ran shuttles - that was nice. Last year I paid and it turned out I could have walked from the Marriott as the parking was so far away. Hopefully no issues with the Friday parking this year.

On Fridays definitely walk from the Marriott- I am the nice mom, I warm up the car, drop of my swimmer go back to the Marriott and walk to the pool. After prelims I walk back to the car, pick up my kid- I repeat for finals. Definitely get my 10K steps

I’ll do the same this year as the parking in the far lot that was offered wasn’t worth paying for. I’ve also considered Uber! Lol

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UMD is probably the best pool in the area for times. So Turkey Claus is fun.

What makes it such a good pool?

Although 8 lanes it is considered a fast pool where kids generally get better times.

The facility is bright with lots of deck space and tons of spectating seating (considered the gold standard).

UMD is probably one of the best pools on the east coast. It is a very fast pool, and very fan friendly. The only negative is that parking is confusing and can be far. Make sure to park legally, you will get a ticket if you don't!

One year they had parking at the golf course and ran shuttles - that was nice. Last year I paid and it turned out I could have walked from the Marriott as the parking was so far away. Hopefully no issues with the Friday parking this year.

On Fridays definitely walk from the Marriott- I am the nice mom, I warm up the car, drop of my swimmer go back to the Marriott and walk to the pool. After prelims I walk back to the car, pick up my kid- I repeat for finals. Definitely get my 10K steps

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UMD is probably the best pool in the area for times. So Turkey Claus is fun.

What makes it such a good pool?

Although 8 lanes it is considered a fast pool where kids generally get better times.

The facility is bright with lots of deck space and tons of spectating seating (considered the gold standard).

UMD is probably one of the best pools on the east coast. It is a very fast pool, and very fan friendly. The only negative is that parking is confusing and can be far. Make sure to park legally, you will get a ticket if you don't!

One year they had parking at the golf course and ran shuttles - that was nice. Last year I paid and it turned out I could have walked from the Marriott as the parking was so far away. Hopefully no issues with the Friday parking this year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UMD is probably the best pool in the area for times. So Turkey Claus is fun.

What makes it such a good pool?

Although 8 lanes it is considered a fast pool where kids generally get better times.

The facility is bright with lots of deck space and tons of spectating seating (considered the gold standard).

I wonder how much of this is really just due to fact it is used to host big meets like NCI and JOs. My kids always get their best times at the big meets when they are super amped up.

Some of it is that, but it’s also a very deep pool with nice blocks. It has separate space for warm up/cool down, which also helps kids to have better swims.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UMD is probably the best pool in the area for times. So Turkey Claus is fun.

What makes it such a good pool?

Although 8 lanes it is considered a fast pool where kids generally get better times.

The facility is bright with lots of deck space and tons of spectating seating (considered the gold standard).

I wonder how much of this is really just due to fact it is used to host big meets like NCI and JOs. My kids always get their best times at the big meets when they are super amped up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UMD is probably the best pool in the area for times. So Turkey Claus is fun.

What makes it such a good pool?

Although 8 lanes it is considered a fast pool where kids generally get better times.

The facility is bright with lots of deck space and tons of spectating seating (considered the gold standard).

UMD is probably one of the best pools on the east coast. It is a very fast pool, and very fan friendly. The only negative is that parking is confusing and can be far. Make sure to park legally, you will get a ticket if you don't!

The biggest issue for UMD parking is when meets are during the week. Parking can be tough. But agree on dropping off swimmers first.

I would add that if the garages aren't an option, read the lot restrictions VERY carefully. Tickets are $85 if you violate parking lot rules. In one of the lots closest to the pool, different lanes of the lot have different rules than the signage posted for the broader lot. I know multiple people that have been ticketed in this scenario (myself included!).

Anonymous wrote:How is parking? I read something that makes it sound like it’s a challenge.

Parking is a challenge sometimes depending on what other events are going on that weekend. The clubs should send out parking information, but generally most of the days parking will be available in the Terrapin Trail garage and there is a short path from there to the pool. When that garage isn’t available it can be a bit of a scramble, but there are other garages on campus. You also can drop your swimmer at the pool in the loop by the lower entrance and then go park so that no one is stressed about being late.

How is parking? I read something that makes it sound like it’s a challenge.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UMD is probably the best pool in the area for times. So Turkey Claus is fun.

What makes it such a good pool?

Although 8 lanes it is considered a fast pool where kids generally get better times.

The facility is bright with lots of deck space and tons of spectating seating (considered the gold standard).