Common Questions (FAQ)

Where do practices take place?

We practice at the Hopewell Community Center, just 10–15 minutes from Prince George or Chester. All practices are held at this one location from September through June—no rotating pools or extra driving. We keep it simple and consistent for families.

What’s the practice schedule like for 10 & unders?

Our Novice and AG1 groups (typically 10 & unders) practice at the same time, making scheduling easy and convenient for families with younger swimmers.

How often do families have to volunteer?

We only require families to volunteer at one meet per year—our team-hosted meet in May. No monthly or recurring volunteer requirements.

When are swim meets held?

Meets are weekends only:

  • 12 & under swimmers usually compete in morning sessions

  • 13 & over swimmers typically swim in the afternoon sessions

Are swim meets required?

Meet participation is encouraged but not required. You’ll have the opportunity to sign up for meets that fit your schedule.

How are meet fees handled?

Meets are pay-as-you-go, billed by event. You only pay for the specific events your swimmer enters—no blanket or seasonal meet fees.

Are meets local or do we have to travel?

Most of our meets are local, typically held at NOVA’s pool at the Regency Mall.
Occasionally, we attend out-of-town meets within Virginia, but these are always optional and communicated well in advance.

What’s the commitment level?

Commitment levels vary by group:

  • Novice: Month-to-month

  • AG1: Requires 60 days’ notice to withdraw

  • AG2 and Senior: Annual commitment

Our goal is to set swimmers up for success—and in swimming, consistency is key. Our commitment structure supports long-term development, team cohesion, and steady progress in the water.

Is year-round swimming a big time commitment?

We offer age-appropriate practice schedules. Most swimmers train 3–5 times per week, and we encourage a healthy balance with other activities—especially for younger athletes.

Can beginners join the team?

Yes! We welcome new swimmers. If your child can swim one length of the pool and feels comfortable in the water, they may be ready to join our Novice group.

What equipment does my swimmer need?

All groups use kickboards and fins, and our older swimmers also use pull buoys and snorkels.
We provide your swimmer’s first red (latex) and black (silicon) NOVA team caps.

Who are the coaches and how are groups organized?

We have a dedicated coaching team with two coaches for our Age Group and Senior groups, and one main coach for our Novice group. Your swimmer will get to know their coaches well and benefit from consistent, high-quality instruction.  We also have three dryland coaches that help with our drylands. 

Each level has only one practice group, so swimmers train with the same peers every day. This promotes group cohesion and strong coach-swimmer relationships, which can be hard to maintain when groups are split across multiple time slots.

How do we get started?

Some swimmers we will know what group they belong in and can do it all via email, for some we will need to watch them swim to know which group is the right fit. We offer free swimmer evaluations by appointment. After the assessment, we’ll help you find the right group and walk you through registration.  You can do this by going to this link https://forms.gle/669dCD69wx8gzLt37