NOVA News

Check out everything we accomplished this past August at the NOVA Aquatic Center - Gayton:

• Pool 1 pump room plumbing leak repairs. Extensive demolition and repairs were needed to stop several leaks under the pool deck and pump room floors. Phase I started last December and our pool repair contractor came back this August to finish the extensive rehabilitation of the system used to move water throughout Pool 1.

• Parking Lots: Both parking lots were re-striped.

• Locker Rooms: Girls Locker Room received all new lighting and the Boys Locker Room lights were upgraded to LED.

• Pool 1 Duct Sock: Exterior of the blue duct sock in Pool 1 was 100% cleaned as well as walls, conduit, and structural beams in high, hard to reach areas.

• Extensive cleaning of both pool decks, anti-slip flooring systems in both pools, deck drains, bleachers, kickboards & lessons equipment, lobby and other on-deck items.

• Hallway bathrooms powerwashed.

• Kitchen rehab: A renovation of the Gayton kitchen to provide additional storage and a breakroom for guards and lessons instructors.

• Clear cutting of overgrowth behind the facility.

The NOVA facility team will always place the highest emphasis on keeping both Gayton and Regency safe, clean and well positioned to provide all aspects of NOVA programming the best possible facilities. Huge shout to Kayla and her team of guards who executed this August Gayton plan so well!

Please never hesitate to reach out to me directly with any questions, comments, or concerns in regards to anything Facility related. We are a rarity in the world of USA Swimming - I cannot think of any club team that has ownership and control of its own facilities like we do here at NOVA. Providing the best environment possible for all NOVA patrons will always be the top priority for the Facility Staff!

Drew

David- How many swimmers are in your group?

We currently have 33 in the group

David- What skills is your group working on this week?

We’ve been placing a strong emphasis on underwater kicking. We’re also reviewing the fundamentals—technique and turns—for all four strokes. On top of that, we’ve incorporated some challenging sets to help the swimmers get back into shape and closer to race-pace form. Right now, we’re focused on building a solid foundation so we can dive into more intense training later on.

David- What's your favorite part of working with SDG?

I’ve had the pleasure of coaching many of these swimmers when they were younger—some as 10-year-olds in the AGDG group, others as 13-year-olds in Senior Development Silver. It’s also been great getting to know the athletes I hadn’t worked with before.
One of my favorite parts of working with SDG is helping these athletes navigate the challenges that come with both swimming and life. My hope is to have a positive impact during these formative years by guiding them through goal-setting, embracing hard work, and learning how to be great teammates.

Alex- What's your favorite part of working with SDG?

Thus far, my favorite part about working with SDG is getting to know the swimmers. Working with National since arriving at NOVA, I have heard many of their names and have seen their achievements through social media or by coaches’ word of mouth. Now, I am able to put faces to those names. As the swim meet season begins, I’m sure my favorite part of working with SDG will morph into my favorite part of coaching, seeing hours of focus and work (by both swimmers and coaches) pay off in competition.

David- What's your favorite part about working with Alex?

I’ve had the pleasure of watching Alex jump right in and make a big impact with the National group since the summer of 2024. One of the things I really appreciate about him is how effectively he gives feedback—you can tell he genuinely cares about the sport and is always looking for ways to grow his knowledge and share it with both swimmers and fellow coaches.

He’s also demonstrated great creativity, whether it’s in designing sets, solving problems, or finding new ways to motivate the athletes. He’s what I’d affectionately call a “Swim Nerd”—and I mean that as a real compliment. He’s like a walking encyclopedia of swimming data, and that depth of insight has been a huge asset to our team.

Alex- What's your favorite part about working with David?

My favorite part about working with David thus far is what I can only describe as his “listening” demeanor. Many coaches who have been working as long or are as accomplished as David have a lot to say and will take any/every opportunity to say it - in working with the David the last few weeks, I feel he will say what needs to be said when it needs to be said, and not speak just because he has thought of something; he is an active listener and observer. That said, one of my other favorite parts about working with David is his energy on deck. Like me, he will climb on a starting block to see a different angle of a swimmer, again, not because he has to, but because you never know if you’ll see something new from a different angle - A curious coaching mind will always find new ways to achieve success, it might also just bring a smile to a swimmer’s face.

David- What is your favorite part of a new swim season?

While getting the chance to work with a new group of young swimmers is always special, what I’m really looking forward to this season is the return to competition—especially at Regency, now with the new second floor.

Practice is essential for building skills and developing athletes, but I believe some of the most valuable lessons come from competition. It’s in racing that swimmers learn how to take risks, understand the why behind our training, and figure out how to apply what they’ve practiced. Competition also teaches them how to handle both success and setbacks.

Most importantly, while swimming is often seen as an individual sport, it’s in these moments that athletes start to realize they’re part of something much bigger than themselves—a team, a community, a shared journey.

Alex- What is your favorite part of a new swim season?

The beginning of the season is usually my favorite part of the season. Having the chance to start fresh and build from the ground up. Setting and building a proper foundation might seem like boring work, but I know the value of a proper foundation in the end or even the middle of the season and it’s priceless. To me, doing it right the first time will always be worth the time and effort.

David, you have been working with AGDG for the last 2 years, though you have coached almost every group on the team, how has the adjustment been to working with 13-14 year olds this season?

The transition has been smooth. While the training is certainly more advanced compared to the 9–10 age group I coached the last couple of years, it hasn’t felt like a major adjustment. I’ve had the opportunity to work with every level in our program—from 8 & Unders to National-level senior swimmers—so I feel well-prepared for the demands of this group.

My approach remains consistent regardless of age: to help athletes set and achieve meaningful goals, push beyond what they thought was possible, embrace the value of hard work, and ultimately become the best swimmers—and people—they can be.

Alex, you have been working with the National group for the last 18 months at NOVA how has the adjustment been to working with 13-14 year olds?

Fortunately, I’ve been working with 13–14s my entire coaching career, so I came into SDG knowing what to expect from middle schoolers. At my previous club (about 200 swimmers), we had just two senior groups—both 13 & Over. That meant one large training group served as the bridge between the age-group program and the highest senior group. It was a wide mix of ages and abilities, and managing that range could challenge any swim coach.

At NOVA, I think we’ve really cracked the system with the Senior Development program. Every 13–14 year-old has a place, and more importantly, the right place—where they can train and progress at their own pace. The Senior Development groups are that crucial refinement step, preparing swimmers for senior-level training. I think that’s something very special about NOVA.

SDS Whitewater Rafting - 9/20

NOVA Information week- 9/22-26 Information Here

Senior TEAM Retreat- 9/26-27 Graves Mountain

NOVA 12 and under Short Course Kick off- 10/4-5 Entry Deadline 9/22 Commit Here

TAC vs NOVA Duel Meet (13 and over) 10/10-12 Entry Deadline 9/29 Commit Here

Novice Trunk or Treat 10/18 RSVP Deadline 10/13 Commit Here

NOVA's 2025-2026 Short Course meet schedule is posted to the NOVA website HERE!

PPOW stands for Practice Performer of the Week, and is a NOVA tradition that started back in 2012. The goal was quite simple — to recognize swimmers across all different practice groups that had been consistently performing at an outstanding level. The tag line was also simple: “In practice, I’m kind of a big deal.” Every two weeks, the coaches select a 13&Over Swimmer, and a 12&Under Swimmer as the Practice Performer of the Week for the team! Swimmers receive their very own PPOW T-Shirt, a post on social media written personally by their coach, and a feature in the newsletter!

The coolest thing about this honor, is that at our weekly staff meetings, coaches throw out their PPOW nominations, so we all get to hear about all these different swimmers who are doing a great job. Sometimes there are so many strong candidates we end up having to argue for our nominations and then vote! Also, each coach chooses their PPOW nominee for different reasons. An SDG Coach might choose someone who has been absolutely crushing hard sets and intervals, while an AGDS Coach might choose a swimmer who is consistently reading the practice, focusing on drills and technique, and being a good lane leader and teammate. But all in all, PPOWs are normally chosen for working hard, setting a good example for their peers, and being a strong leader in their practice group.

Speaking of being strong, OrthoVirginia loved the PPOW idea so much, they decided to sponsor the whole campaign! So the phrase “Stronger Starts Here” not only applies to their business, but also to the toughness, resilience, and strength that our swimmers demonstrate every day here at NOVA.

Keep an eye out in the next newsletter for our first PPOWs of the 2025-2026 Season!

-Coach Carter

NOVA VOLUNTEER OBLIGATION

All families are required to complete volunteer hours as follows:

First year families have an obligation of 12 hours

Novice-only families have an obligation of 16 hours

All other families have an obligation of 24 hours

Families have the season (Sept. to July) to complete their hours. Swim meet volunteer jobs are posted on our website, including the timeframe required and hours to be credited. An email is sent out in advance with the date and time the jobs will open. Sign-ups are generally done online. Parents must sign up for and complete each session in its entirety. Sessions may run shorter or longer than expected. If a session runs longer, the volunteer hours earned may be adjusted as needed.

Other volunteer opportunities will be available during the season with the number of hours to be credited designated at that time. Volunteer opportunities will be posted on the website or made known via e-mail. Team travel meets also afford volunteer opportunities for parents, as chaperones. The trip manager will communicate the number of volunteer hours to be given in advance of the trip. The number of hours given will vary based on the length of the trip and other factors. Chaperone hours for travel meets are posted on the NOVA website under the “Parents” tab. No volunteer hours are allowed to be carried over to the following year.

Even after your family meets your minimum volunteer obligation, please be aware that NOVA may still need your help. In particular, we are usually required to provide timers for a certain number of lanes at away meets. It is expected that every family with swimmers entered in those away meets works one timing shift at the meet, even if their family's minimum volunteer obligation has been met.

NOVA need every family to fulfill their volunteer obligation. We cannot run a meet without volunteers.

In August 2026, at the end of the season, families will be billed $50 an hour for all unmet hours.

This is your chance to gear up for the season, and get all your questions answered. Whether you’re brand-new to NOVA or just need a refresher, these sessions will make the season feel easier, clearer, and more fun.

📅 Tuesday, September 23
Topic: All About NOVA Parent Obligations
Do you ever wonder about your account, fundraising requirements, or volunteer commitments? We’ll walk you through everything you need to know and give you plenty of time to ask questions.
📍 Gayton Kitchen — 3:30 pm & 4:30 pm

📅 Wednesday, September 24
Topic: All About NOVA Parent Obligations
(Second chance if you couldn’t make Tuesday!) Same helpful information, new location, different times.
📍 Regency Lobby — 3:30 pm & 6:30 pm

📅 Friday, September 26
Topic: It’s My First Swim Meet—HELP!
Everything you need to know about swim meets at NOVA—what to expect, how to help your swimmer, and how parents can play a role in making meets successful.
📍 Regency Lobby — 3:45 pm

Plug into NOVA Power, and see your business on the NOVA scoreboard during all NOVA hosted events. Contact Julie Farney, julie.farney@novaswim.org for more information.

Please click the links below.