Thanks for having us! And yes, I agree 
I think there was a little bit of anxiety and some disconnect because some of his friends talk about it and we really don’t know about that scene anymore.
Ultimately, a good swim program, a good coach, nice teammates, and a fun time overall is the plan!
I’ve seen high level athletes do training camps at different clubs and I think that’s awesome. Growing this sport is one thing (which is awesome) but to have Olympians coach and teach young ones - feels like the pinnacle of giving back to me. Are those camps restricted for only that club? Can anyone come in and register to train? I know we might not fit into that category considering age…
Regarding Mission/Jserra, it’s really only in mind because of what we’ve been exposed to besides Newport and how it’s a private school (that’s what I’m understanding). We do plan on enrolling all the way up to private for HS and from what others say, with traffic and consistent coaching to mind, I think being in one club until the wheels fall off would make sense. But also we’re not opposed to driving (just less inclined now considering traffic).
But we are not biased and we are open to any suggestions, we’re green to this process. We’re going to think local-er first for fits.
This might be off topic, but is there a tangible difference between these two programs? Or any program like Cathedral Catholic and like La Jolla for water polo purposes? What’s the allure between ‘private’ clubs and ‘public’ school clubs?
Thanks!
When it comes to 10u programs there are two things that matter most, in my opinion.
Scheduling
Do practice times work for the family? There are clubs that offer 3,4 or 5 practices a week. What clubs make practice mandatory, what clubs have optional, what clubs have considerations for kids who play multiple sports, etcetera. Second are game schedules. Do the clubs offer games for all levels of kids (new kids in SPA, more advanced kids in tournaments, etc). Are all competitions mandatory or are there weekends you can take off? Those considerations should be very important to a new water polo family.
Coaching
Where will your kids receive the best technical instruction? SoCal Patriots probably has the best 10u staff in the country right now with previously mentioned Tijmen as well as Olympic silver medalist Brittany Luedecke and several high level assistants. Newport has fantastic coaching duo also with Trevor and Carolyn and a whole pipeline of quality assistants.
Those are the clubs in this area with the highest level of coaching for sure. After that you have North Irvine who have done a good job these past couple seasons. Other clubs often have younger, newer coaches with this age group who are still learning how to coach.
Answer to last question would be I think, “it depends on the club.”
There are Tangible differences between every club my son has played at. Each has their own benefits and tradeoffs. I dont think it makes sense to look at it as closed vs open for anything under 14U because they are all open. Perhaps when considering the transition to 14U it matters, perhaps not. Given your geographic location you have lots of available options and most all of them would be considered top notch.
Okay awesome! I guess my point from that comment earlier was just to make sure he wouldn’t be missing anything per se and if there was any defining qualities besides traffic, friendship, and community - but I think from everything said - you really would be hard pressed to go wrong
Thank you!! I didn’t consider these aspects as well… definitely will go to the drawing board and compare everything as a family.
7 is young. 2 or 3 days a week is enough. Priority should be swimming now.
I would also include CDM Aquatics in that mix of places to try; they’re in Newport Mess Unified (same as Estancia and Costa Mesa high), and the head coaches for age group have great experience balancing fun teams and competitive environments. They place emphasis on development so I also recommend giving them a look too.
Agreed, if we could go back to 7 years old I think the priority would be swimming and baseball - that seems to be a solid combination for a good water polo base. In my view I don’t think you need to start playing until 10.
7 definitely seems young as the gravity of water polo has a tendency of pulling you into a year round commitment. As a rowing coach (also a sport that pulls kiddos in for 11.5 month commitments) and parent of a now D1 WaPo player I recommend your kiddo to do other sports in the offseason - or even hold off on WaPo. It will develop a variety of skill sets and the research shows it greatly reduces injury risk long-term. In addition to swimming and baseball I would recommend basketball, soccer and lacrosse. These sports develop the spacing, passing and teamwork that easily translates and informs the skills needed for your future water polo player. Imho - good luck!
To each their own. My own kid started water polo as a 7-year old with a background in swimming. I wouldn’t change a thing.
My boys started young with every sport (flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball) on a seasonal basis, but started swimming year-round by 6. Both play polo in college now. Big fan of having lots of coaches and lots of different movements. Keeping it fresh is key. Agree that swimming is important, as getting up and down the pool makes the game so much better.
If you live in CM area, you should probably stick w CMAC.
We know the Director and they run a great age group, focused on development.
Push mechanics of swimming and great fundamentals. OK with the kids doing multiple sports that help development of the complete athlete and an avid proponent of Junior Guards for the kids to stay in tune w the Water Sports.
They have great Splashball, 8u and 10u for the little guys and they will coach your kid as he wont be another number in the pool. Many D1 athletes started at CMAC and changed clubs due to the influence of their HS Coaches.
Give them a Shot and you wont have to go out of town to learn the sport and prosper.
If you re in Newport Mesa and Costa Mesa Proper, it would a waste of time not to go to CMAC.
CMAC has a great Splashball program, 8u and 10u program and older groups.
Looking for long term relationship w a club, does not matter when the kid can be pushed aside for better players and he isn’t playing or getting developed.
At 7 yr olds, he needs swim conditioning, proper mechanisms and fun.
Cmac has the best swim component in NMUSD and Huntington Beach area.
It is the only club that offers a POLO/Swim combo and a specific class for polo players to swim faster.
Being in the biggest club or most successful club at 7, won’t correlate to future success.
Future success comes from loving the sport and having the right building blocks to keep succeeding as he grows older.
Just go to CMAC as mentioned before, they are the only club in the area w plenty of water to grow your nephew without having to drive out of town.
Your son is 7, so he has about 3–4 years in 10U depending on his birthday. The right club depends on what you want for him.
If the goal is just exposure and having fun, the club itself doesn’t matter that much. At that age, most clubs put younger coaches on those teams. The best coaches are usually with the A teams. Water polo is a hard sport. A lot of kids don’t really start enjoying it until they get good and have friends they can hang out with both in and out of the pool.
If you want the best coaching and development at this age, I would look at SoCal Patriot or Dons — if you’re willing to make the commute or move. Once he hits 12U, you can reassess: stay if it’s working, or look around based on whether you care more about player development or winning tournaments.
If he’s strong and makes to A team in his first year, he’ll get good coaching almost anywhere he goes. I wouldn’t worry about high school yet. Start thinking about that around 14U. Clubs and schools generally don’t care whether a kid has been there since they were little or transferred in later. If he’s good, they’ll play him.
I would personally just put him on whatever club team where he’s gonna know somebody there. Maybe a school friend. If that’s cmac then it’s cmac. Most important thing when they start out is familiarity with their environment. I’d also hold off having him play a whole year just yet. Burn out is real and he has time. Playing other sports will help him in the long run in the sport if he chooses to pursue water polo in high school and beyond. Speaking purely on technical development for younger kids. 908 and Newport are the best. However, you’d have to commit to full time year round training and games.
And the most important club you sign the kid up (next year, by 9-years-old) in Newport / Costa Mesa is Junior Guards
And you collect your cross stickers and ironically feature them on your car for every year he goes. It starts at 9 years old min, but JG is the only “club” in the area you are not allowed to diss
Kid will get to know all other wopo peers, will make his own mind which team it will be based on friends he makes in JG.
Swimming, gymnastics, wrestling
Full body coordination activities that prepare for any sport
Much better use of time than splash ball which prepares for arguably nothing
Start polo at 9yo
You know perhaps you are right regarding splashball.
To me splashball represents a fun atmosphere where the total beginners can learn basics like comfort in the water, some physical contact, and eggbeater. This can all be done in the context of 8U or 10U but competition might discourage kids that are slower to learn or not competitive yet due to size or comfort with contact in water.
If you’re not against driving, I would check out 908 in Long Beach for a very strong developmental club. Otherwise locally for a 7 year old boy I would consider CDM, Back Bay, CMAC, North Irvine, Socal Patriots. At age 7 no one has a polo background, many do not even have much of a swimming background. Just go have fun! Don’t worry about open or closed clubs, that is more for high schoolers and at this age it does not matter at all. What matters at this age is fun, developmental fundamentals, and supportive coaching along with minutes in the pool. Water polo is a no-cut sport at most local high schools.