Post-Summer Swimming Options for Families

Thank you to the parents who joined us to discuss post-summer swimming options, aka “winter swimming.” As a follow-up, we wanted to share more information, particularly because most of the competitive clubs are doing tryouts now and most stroke and training programs that start in the Fall open registration soon.

Benefits of Post-Summer Swimming

Keeping kids who love summer swim team in the water in the Fall, Winter, and Spring is extremely beneficial to building their confidence and skill levels once the summer season rolls around. Swimming is a life-long sport, and we hope every Dolphin currently on the team stays on the team through their senior graduation. Even 30 minutes of instruction, once per week – which is how many swimmers start their post-summer training – will allow your Dolphin to get the most out of the short summer season. It’s also a great cross-training sport for kids who are more interested in pursuing other sports as their primary sport.

Stroke Instruction vs. Training vs. Competitive Team

Generally speaking, winter swim programs fall into three different categories: (1) stroke instruction/learn to swim, (2) weekly training programs, and (3) competitive team.

1. Stroke Instruction & Learn to Swim Programs – There are a wide variety of stroke instruction classes and learn to swim programs to choose from in our area. They are typically offered on a quarterly basis, with preference going to families who are re-registering. This latter point is important, because if you are thinking you can wait until Spring to register for one of those programs, chances are most of the slots will be filled by families re-registering. I am a coach at Tollefson Swimming, which is known for its stroke instruction classes, where many Somerset families have started their off-season swimming and teach several clinics. We offer class options for all ages and levels. The class program does not limit spots and we open registrations in July. Please email me at [email protected] if you would like to get on Tollefson’s email list – registration opens this month. Learn to swim programs are a good option for younger swimmers (10 and under) who are still working on getting legal in all four strokes. These clinics usually take place one day a week and all of the clubs listed below have learn to swim programs. Historically NCAP offers a program on Sundays at AU, Sea Devils on Sundays at Holton Arms and Tollefson on the weekdays & weekends at Georgetown Prep. Tollefson also has classes on weekends at St. Albans.

1. Training programs are for swimmers who are looking for more time in the water, along the lines of summer swim practice but who aren’t necessarily interested or ready to do competitive swimming year-round. Most of the clubs listed below have a training program that complements their learn to swim or stroke instruction classes. Classes usually are an hour long.

1. Competitive swim programs require try outs, are the largest time commitment, and are best suited for kids who want to make swimming their primary (though not necessarily exclusive) sports focus during the school year. I currently coach the Age Group Developmental (mainly 10-13 year olds) at Tollefson. Swimmers 9 and under practice 2 to 3 times a week and older swimmers practice 3 to 6 times a week, depending on the age group and skill level. Meets take place about once a month on the weekend, usually on both Saturday and Sunday (younger kids will only have meets one day of the weekend and they are much shorter). The kids on the Somerset team who are regularly getting All-Star times are usually participating in these competitive year-round programs. These programs run from mid-September until Memorial Day for the 10 and under swimmers, and 10 to 11 months of the year (Sept to June/July) for older swimmers.

Club and Program Options

Please check with me if your swimmer is interested in competitive swim or non-competitive programs this fall. Below are the most well-known area programs. We have also listed Somerset families who are familiar with these programs and would be happy to share more about their experiences.

• All-Star Aquatics (ASA): 

90% full, offers competitive & classes. Many of our friends from CCRA have swimmers at ASA. Families like it because all of the training happens at Stone Ridge.

• Nation’s Capital Swim Club (NCAP)

Competitive swimming program, tryouts required. Somerset families participate in programs at both the Holton-Arms and American University locations. Nation’s Capital also offers a Swim School & Developmental Program

• Rockville Montgomery Swim Club (RMSC)

Competitive program only, try outs required. Practice sites are in North Bethesda, Rockville, and further.

• Sea Devils (SDS) 

Many Somerset families participate at the Holton Arms location. Training only, with meets optional, or can try out for the competitive team.

• Tollefson Swimming

Information about our competitive team and tryouts can be found here. Currently the competitive team is at about 85% capacity so there are limited spots. Offers stroke clinics and endurance training. Many Somerset families participate in the programs at the Georgetown Prep pool.

• YMCA Aquatics Program

Several Somerset families have kept their swimmers in the water with the YMCA’s aquatics program with Coach Henri Morel. The BCC YMCA swim team is called the Hammerheads. Practices for less experienced swimmers is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4pm – 5pm. Practices for more experienced swimmers is from 4:45pm – 6pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The Hammerheads attended four swim meets last winter, including meets in Cumberland, Urbana, Reston, and a regional meet in Harrisburg, PA.

Somerset Families to Contact

This is not a comprehensive list but the below families and coaches swim off-season and are willing to share more information about the programs they have or are participating in.