Drop by the pool some Saturday morning in the summer. Find out why all those people are shouting. Watch some of the best young swimmers in the county compete in a wide variety of races. See the famous Nessie Bugaloo cheer at halftime. The sides of the pool seem to close in as everyone there, from 6 year olds to 18 year olds, parents and grandparents, siblings and friends, gather round to cheer for the final relay races. You may find yourself hooked.

The Nessies swim in June and July as part of the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL). We strive to give each young swimmer a fun and rewarding summer experience. Our goals are to provide excellent coaching so that each swimmer may improve to the best of his or her ability, and to promote good sportsmanship and team spirit. Where else can kindergarteners and college freshmen be teammates? Each week during the season, there is a divisional meet Saturday morning and non-divisional meet Wednesday evening. These Wednesday evening “B” meets allow all swimmers, regardless of ability level, to take part in competitive races, see their times improve, and win ribbons.

Guided by an experienced, enthusiastic coaching staff, our swimmers cheer for each other and learn from each other. You’ll often find Nessies just hanging out together by the pool, and at pep rallies, movie nights, and other events. Last year’s team staged a talent show that released the diva hidden in many of them. And at the season’s end, over 120 Nessies and their families attended our annual awards banquet at the Bolger Center, with plenty of good food, good music and big trophies. The evening featured a slide show documenting the season, and a special tribute to graduating seniors. We’re planning lots of excitement for 2009.

The Nessies will remain in Division H, moving up from the 6th seed to the 2nd seed, and will be joined by Chevy Chase, Eldwick, Palisades, Norbeck Hills, and Woodcliffe, a relatively new team to MCSL. These teams are strong and will provide stiff competition.

Last summer, the 2008 season came to a close at the Divisional Championship meet, where the Nessies came through with flying colors. Out of a total of 96 swims, Nessie swimmers achieved 54 best times, with a number of truly big time drops throughout the day. Nessies set two team records and won nine races. Our fourth place finish in the Divisionals locked up a third place finish for Division H, which gave us a trophy. In the elite Coaches Long Course All Star meet, which features the top 8 MCSL swimmers in each event, three Nessie girls swam competed, each either maintaining or improving on their seeds.

The 2008 Wednesday Night B Meet season ended with the Relay Carnival at Tally Ho. As always, this was a fun meet that allowed many Nessies to compete in Relay Races. Our Wednesday Night “B” League has a a full schedule offering expansive opportunities for swimmers.

If you are wondering how the Nessies who competed in the Long Course race can swim so fast, part of it is due to the fact that they, along with other teammates, swim year round with local club teams. We are fortunate to have some of the best club programs in the country in the Metro DC area. There are teams offering a wide range of programs for swimmers of all ages and level of commitment. Coaches can offer guidance on what program might be right for you, so please talk to them if you are interested. You’ll be amazed how much your child will improve even with a limited program of winter swimming. And with the improvement comes better fitness and a love of swimming that can last a lifetime.