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The New Wave: 7 Reasons Raleigh's Swim Team Is A National Silver Medal Powerhouse In 2025

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The New Wave Swim Team (WAVE) in Raleigh, NC, is currently one of the most successful and respected competitive swimming programs in the Southeast, a fact cemented by its recent national recognition. As of the latest 2024-2025 season, the team has been formally recognized as a Silver Medal Club by USA Swimming's prestigious National Club Excellence Program. This elite status places WAVE among the top programs in the country, specifically ranking 4th in the entire North Carolina Swimming LSC and 53rd nationally.

For parents and swimmers looking for a program that balances high-level competitive training with robust character development, New Wave offers a unique, athlete-focused environment. This comprehensive article, updated for the current 2025 season, explores the coaching staff, the detailed training structure, the philosophy, and the recent achievements that make WAVE a dominant force in North Carolina aquatics.

New Wave Swim Team Leadership: Head Coach John Roy and Key Personnel

The stability and long-term vision of any elite swim program are rooted in its coaching staff. The New Wave Swim Team is led by a veteran coach whose tenure has seen the program consistently grow in both size and competitive accomplishment.

  • Head Coach: John Roy

    John Roy has been at the helm of the WAVE swimming program since his arrival in 2006. His long-standing leadership has been instrumental in shaping the team's culture, sportsmanship, and sustained success within the North Carolina Swimming LSC. Roy’s focus extends beyond lap times, emphasizing the development of well-rounded individuals.

  • Site Director and Senior Coach: Zach Murray

    Zach Murray serves a crucial role as a Site Director and Senior Coach, overseeing training groups at key locations like Optimist Park (Opt) and the Springdale (SPR) facility. His involvement ensures consistency in high-level training across multiple WAVE locations.

  • Assistant Coach: Jonathan Bescher

    Jonathan Bescher supports the senior and pre-senior groups, particularly at the Cary Swim Club (CSC) location. The depth of the coaching staff ensures that swimmers at every level receive specialized instruction and attention.

  • Notable Alumni Coaches:

    The program’s history includes influential figures like former Head Age Group Coach John Payne, who led the top 12-and-under group, and Bradford Hancock, who helped elevate the program to a top-five ranking in the state during his four-year tenure.

The 2024 Silver Medal Status: An Elite National Achievement

The New Wave Swim Team’s recent recognition as a Silver Medal Club in the 2024 USA Swimming National Club Excellence Program is the single most important indicator of the team's current elite status.

This program evaluates and ranks USA Swimming clubs based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including:

  • National-Level Swimmer Performance: Achieving qualifying times for major national meets like the U.S. Open, Winter Junior Nationals, and Summer Junior Nationals.
  • Coaching Certification and Education: Ensuring the staff maintains the highest level of professional development.
  • Organizational Structure: Demonstrating stability and excellence in club management and operations.
WAVE's ranking of 4th in North Carolina and 53rd nationally is a testament to its consistent production of top-tier talent and its organizational strength. This achievement places them in direct competition with other powerhouse programs in the region, such as the Marlins of Raleigh (MOR) and the North Carolina Aquatic Club (NCAC).

WAVE’s Comprehensive Age-Group Training Structure

New Wave’s success is built on a guided age-group youth program that caters to children as young as four, moving them from foundational skills to elite competition. The team’s structure is designed to provide a clear progression path, ensuring swimmers are challenged appropriately at every stage of their athletic development. The training groups have specific names that reflect the level and focus of the practices.

Detailed Training Groups for the 2025 Season

The program is meticulously divided to ensure individualized coaching and focus. The groups, which are flexible based on ability and age, include:

  • Beginning Competitive Groups: This is the entry point for younger swimmers transitioning from swim lessons to a competitive team environment. Focus is on mastering the four competitive strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly) and developing proper starts and turns.
  • Bronze Group: Building on the fundamentals, Bronze swimmers increase their endurance and refine their technique. This group focuses on preparing for local North Carolina Swimming LSC sanctioned meets.
  • Junior Varsity (JV) and Varsity Groups: These groups are for middle and high school-aged athletes. The training intensity increases significantly, with a focus on race strategy, interval training, and preparation for high school swimming and regional championships.
  • Senior Groups: The top-tier training level for the most dedicated athletes. The focus is on achieving sectional and national qualifying times, with rigorous training schedules that mirror collegiate programs. Swimmers in this group often compete at major venues like the Triangle Aquatic Center (TAC) in Cary.
  • Seasonal/Specialty Groups: WAVE also offers seasonal programs like the Winter Imps, Winter Bears, Winter Sea Lions, and Racin' Knights, providing flexible options for multi-sport athletes or those looking for an introductory competitive experience.

More Than Just Swimming: The Character Development Philosophy

The New Wave Swim Team is formally a coach-operated, athlete-focused, and parent-owned non-profit organization. This structure underscores their commitment to a holistic development model. Their core philosophy is centered on teaching essential life skills and developing character.

The "total WAVE experience" aims to instill values that benefit swimmers long after they leave the pool deck. These values include:

  • Discipline and Commitment: Consistent attendance and effort in training translate directly into success in school and future careers.
  • Sportsmanship: Emphasizing respect for competitors, coaches, and officials, whether competing against the Raleigh Swim Association (RSA) or other regional teams.
  • Goal Setting: Swimmers are taught to set both short-term (practice goals) and long-term (time standards) objectives, a critical life skill.
  • Resilience: Learning to overcome challenging practices and disappointing race results builds mental toughness.
This character-first approach ensures that the athletes are not just fast swimmers, but responsible, resilient, and high-achieving young adults.

Locations, Tryouts, and Registration for New Swimmers

WAVE’s ability to serve the greater Raleigh area is facilitated by its operation across multiple facilities. This makes the program accessible to families across Wake County and beyond.

  • Primary Training Locations:

    The team utilizes four main locations for practices: Cary Swim Club (CSC), Optimist Park (Opt), North Raleigh Christian Academy (NRCA), and Springdale (SPR). This network of pools allows for flexible scheduling and proximity for a large membership base.

  • Tryouts and Evaluations:

    New swimmers interested in joining the team must complete a free evaluation. This process ensures that the swimmer is placed in the most appropriate training group based on their current skill level and age, maximizing their potential for growth and success.

  • Registration Details (2025):

    For the current season, a registration fee is required for all new and returning swimmers. The standard fee is $155, though this increases to $180 after the August 1st deadline. This one-time fee covers essential team gear, including a swim cap and team shirts, and is non-refundable.

Looking Ahead: The 2025 Competitive Calendar

The New Wave Swim Team maintains a rigorous competitive schedule, participating in meets sanctioned by the North Carolina Swimming LSC. The 2025 Long Course Meet Schedule is already in place, with athletes aiming for major championships.

Key competitive events for WAVE swimmers include:

  • Local Dual Meets: Regular competitions against nearby rivals, providing important race experience.
  • NC Short Course Age Group Championships: A major focus for the younger, high-performing groups.
  • NC Long Course Age Group Championships: Often hosted at the Triangle Aquatic Center (TAC), this is a key summer meet where WAVE swimmers consistently challenge for top honors.
  • USA Swimming Sectionals and Junior Nationals: The ultimate goal for the Senior Group, with the Silver Medal status acting as a catalyst for increased national exposure and recruitment opportunities.
The New Wave Swim Team continues to be a beacon of excellence in Raleigh, offering a pathway for every swimmer, from the four-year-old beginner to the aspiring collegiate athlete.

The New Wave: 7 Reasons Raleigh's Swim Team is a National Silver Medal Powerhouse in 2025
new wave swim team raleigh nc
new wave swim team raleigh nc

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