Potomac Valley Swimming
Level 1

The Thought Process Behind Creating a Meet Schedule

At BLUE WAVE Swim Team, every decision we make—especially when it comes to scheduling meets—is guided by one core principle: what is in the best interest of your child’s development.

Our Competitive Philosophy

We believe winning is not defined solely by who touches the wall first. To us, a “winner” is someone who shows up with focus, listens well, works hard toward their goals, and learns from every experience—whether they achieve a personal best or not.

Sports, including swimming, are not an end goal. They are a powerful vehicle for life lessons: goal setting, time management, emotional resilience, self-awareness, and how to work with and support others. Ribbons fade and medals gather dust—but the values and skills learned through competition stay with our swimmers for life.

Success at BLUE WAVE is not measured only by best times or podium finishes. It's measured by the growth each athlete experiences. Who learned the most? Who showed character? Who took on a challenge and gave their best effort?

These are the questions we ask.

Meet Schedule Overview

Our meet schedule is crafted with care, balancing the need for competition with the physical and emotional well-being of our athletes.

  • Meet Selection by Group: Meets are designated for each training group (e.g., “Crest,” “Tide,” etc.). Swimmers are expected to attend meets scheduled for their respective groups, though participation is not mandatory at all levels. For longer meets (2–3 days), swimmers may choose to compete on specific days as appropriate for their group and experience level.

  • Frequency: On average, swimmers are scheduled to compete every 3 to 4 weeks. While this frequency may vary slightly based on meet availability, our goal is to provide consistent, meaningful racing opportunities without overloading athletes.

  • Back-to-Back Weekends: As a general rule, swimmers do not compete on consecutive weekends—except for championship meets. If two meets are scheduled back-to-back (e.g., a developmental meet followed by a qualifying meet), swimmers will be asked to choose one.

  • Team Effort Meets: These meets are highlighted in the schedule and/or discussed at parent meetings. They represent key moments in the season where team presence and energy matter most. Swimmers who qualify for championship-level meets (e.g., Potomac Valley Age Group or Senior Championships) are highly encouraged to participate.

  • Coach Discretion: The coaching staff reserves the right to make the final decision regarding meet participation to ensure the best fit for each athlete’s development.

Philosophy of Competition

Our competition philosophy mirrors our training approach: challenge balanced with success, learning, and personal growth.

  • Compete Against Yourself: We focus on individual improvement, not just race outcomes. A swimmer who finishes last but drops time or improves technique is celebrated just as much—if not more—than one who wins with a subpar effort.

  • Character Over Medals: Sportsmanship matters. We teach our swimmers to behave like champions—whether they succeed or fall short. Respect for officials, support for teammates, effort during adversity, and humility in victory are all core to the BLUE WAVE ethos.

  • Coach + Parent Roles: Coaches guide technique and offer performance feedback. Parents provide the love, support, and encouragement that fuel confidence and joy.

  • All Strokes, All Distances: Our athletes are encouraged to try every stroke and distance. This promotes well-rounded development and helps swimmers discover new strengths as they grow and change.

Ultimately, our meet schedule is a tool—one designed to support the growth of confident, capable, and resilient young people. Thank you for trusting us with your child’s journey.