Welcome to Highlands - Home of the WHOMPING TURTLES! 

Who are we?

The Highlands Whomping Turtles is a competitive seasonal swim team located in McLean, VA. We are a member of the Northern Virginia Swim League (NVSL), the largest summer competition league in the United States for ages 18 and under. The Highlands swim program is open to all club members of various skill levels, ages 5-18, and is broken into two distinct categories: Swim Team (which includes our Whompers developmental group) and Swim School. Our main goal is to encourage each of our swimmers to achieve their personal bests each season and to have lots of fun. Highlands is located at 1515 Bryan Branch Rd., McLean, VA 22101.

SWIM TEAM

Each season the Highlands Whomping Turtles look to continue our turtle traditions, and make new memories for all of our wonderful families, from the newest 5 and 6 year old Whompers to the most seasoned NVSL veterans. We encourage all Highlands members to participate in Swim Team activities regardless of level of experience. Learn-to-swim with our supportive and fun-loving coaches, develop swimming skills with our organized practices, have a blast with all the team swimmers at Monday night “B meets,” and get crazy to support the “A Meet” competitors at NVSL meets on Saturday mornings. And don’t forget the weekly Pancake Breakfasts after morning practices on Fridays, Bagel Mondays, after-practice Art & Crafts, Friday night pep rallies for the entire family, and all of our other social events for the team!

The Highlands Swim Program is open to swimmers of various skill levels, ages 5-18 who are members of Highlands Swim and Tennis Club. Depending on their swim skill level, swimmers will either join the general swim team, swim team's WHOMPERS Group, or the Highlands Swim School, which is the club's 8 & under pre-team group. Criteria for each group are listed below.

All 8 & Unders registered for Swim Team will be assessed by the coaches to determine placement in General Swim Team or Swim Team's WHOMPERS group. Assessments will occur in May. WHOMPERS may advance to the General Swim Team Group when they are able to meet the General Swim Team eligibility requirements as outlined above and at the discretion of our coaching staff.

At the 8 & Under assessments, swimmers who do not yet meet the criteria for WHOMPERS will be switched to the Highlands' 5-week Swim School. At the decision of our coaches, swimmers in Swim School who progress to meet the Swim Team WHOMPERS criteria may move up to join WHOMPERS at any point in the season.

TO REGISTER, click HERE.

"LEARN-TO-SWIM" AND PRE-TEAM DEVELOPMENTAL SWIM PROGRAMS

Highlands Swim School

For Highlands members looking for a learn-to-swim program or a pre-team program, the Highlands Swim School is a great option. Swim School is led by the club's Developmental Swim Director, Kelli Morris Larkin, and coached by our own Highlands swim team coaches. We have morning and evening options for Swim School.

For descriptions of swim school groups, please see the Swim School Tab on the home page: HERE.

Private Swim Lessons

If Swim School is not a good fit for your family, you may consider private swim lessons. For those doing Swim Team or Swim School in July, private swim lessons are also a great option for kids to maintain and further their skills during the month of August. Private Swim Lessons are given by Highlands Swim Coaches. Lessons are scheduled directly with the coach and are 30 minutes in duration. Price per lesson will depend on the level of coach. If your swimmer is interested in Private Swim Lessons (both Swim Team and non-Swim Team lessons), please send an email to [email protected]. Include your swimmer's age, gender, a brief description of this/her swimming level, general or specific skill(s) swimmer would like to focus on during the lesson, a general day/time availability, and the parent's name and contact information. Responses to the private lesson account will be sent after the pool opens in May.