photo by Kyle
“Dear PoPville,
I am a parent of a DC Wave swimmer and a member of the team’s Booster Club. I want to raise awareness of an issue facing the District’s long-standing swim club, DC Wave, that has provided a competitive opportunity for a diverse group of young athletes across the city since 1983. After 2 coaches left the program in 2024, DPR Aquatics took away those FTEs from the program with no explanation and no plan for how the team was meant to maintain its USA Swimming-required coach-to-swimmer ratio. We were just informed that the head of Aquatics decided to turn those FTEs into administrative staff at other pools. Our team of over 330 swimmers has limped along for the last 2 years, and we are at a point where the current coaching staff is facing burnout.
We want DPR Aquatics to reinstate the 2 FTEs that were taken away from the club.
Parents have sent letters to DPR, Aquatics leadership, the council, and the Mayor’s office, receiving little to no response. We are hoping to get more support from the broader community to help us keep DC Wave accessible.
Below, I have pasted a version of the letter we sent to the aforementioned groups, and I hope readers who believe maintaining access to rec sports is important for the District will support our cause by reaching out to their council member and Aquatics Leadership, specifically Errol Alderman ([email protected]).
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I am a Ward 4 resident, DC Wave Booster Club board member, and parent. I am writing to request your immediate action, advocacy, and support to ensure the hiring of a minimum of two (2) new full-time coaches for the DC Wave Swim Team.
DC Wave is DPR’s premier and long-standing competitive swim team, serving more than 330 swimmers year-round. As it stands, DC Wave has been operating for nearly 2 years under significant personnel strain due to coach attrition. The coaching shortages have a significant impact on the team and its ability to provide exceptional opportunities for the city’s residents. Failure to hire and permanently place candidates for these coaching positions will directly threaten the program’s long-term sustainability. Without adequate staffing, DC Wave will be forced to reduce opportunities for current and prospective swimmers due to USA Swimming coach-to-swimmer ratio requirements. This will further intensify growing concerns among DC parents whose children, and often their siblings, are unable to participate because of the program’s increasing and unaddressed staffing deficiencies.
Specifically, the team is operating under significant strain following the loss of two full-time equivalent (FTE) coaching positions in 2024 that have not been backfilled. At this time, it remains unclear whether these positions were eliminated or absorbed elsewhere within DPR. For the past several months, DC Wave coaches have worked unreasonable hours to cover for staffing shortages, which only creates burnout and low employee morale. We are at risk of further staff attrition due to the demands placed upon the overworked coaches. The continued shortage of qualified coaches places unsustainable pressure on the remaining staff, increases the risk of burnout, and compromises the team’s ability to safely and effectively support its athletes.
In addition to serving District youth, DC Wave hosts the nationally recognized Black History Meet, which annually welcomes more than 1,300 swimmers from across the country. This event is one of the most respected and well-attended meets in the nation and remains an important source of pride and visibility for the District.
As our Councilmembers, we are coming to you for immediate leadership and support in ensuring these coaching FTEs are included in the budget before the budget request deadline. We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to communicate that this effort has the support of your offices as we work to protect the future of this vital program.
Please let us know if there is any additional information we can provide. Thank you for your time, consideration, and continued commitment to youth athletics and families across the District.”