Naperville Swim Conference

Let's talk about the breaststroke DQ. A parent's two favorite letters.💙

After a few dual meets, you've seen it. An official raises their hand and then starts writing on that clipboard .... a child just got DQ'd.

Breaststroke is the most technical stroke in the water — and the most commonly disqualified. Here's why it happens, and more importantly, what to say to your swimmer when it does.

🐸 WHY BREASTSTROKE GETS DQ'D
The rules around breaststroke are VERY specific — and very easy to accidentally break, especially for younger swimmers who are still learning the stroke. The most common reasons for a DQ include:

• Asymmetrical pull — both arms must move simultaneously and symmetrically at all times. One arm pulling slightly ahead of the other is enough to get called.
• Asymmetrical kick — both legs must kick simultaneously as well. A flutter kick or scissors kick mixed in — even one — will result in a DQ.
• Illegal touch at the wall — breaststroke requires a two-hand touch at every turn and at the finish. One hand touching even a split second before the other is a DQ.
• Head not breaking the surface — after the pullout at the start and each turn, the swimmer's head must break the surface before the hands pass the widest point of the second stroke. Timing is everything.
• Pulling past the hipline — the hands cannot be pulled past the hip on the recovery. A common mistake in younger swimmers who are still building muscle memory.

The honest truth? Breaststroke DQs happen to every level of swimmer at some point. It doesn't mean your child is doing it wrong — it means they're learning one of the most technical skills.

💬 WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR SWIMMER
This is where you earn your swim parent stripes. A DQ — especially in breaststroke — can feel devastating in the moment. Here's what helps:

• "I am so proud of how hard you swam today." Lead with love, always.
• "Your coach is going to help you fix it and you're going to be even better next time."
• "That was a really tough stroke to learn and you're getting there."
• "Let's get a snack." (Sometimes the best thing is time and a granola bar.)

The swimmers who get DQ'd, learn from it, and get back on the block — those are the ones who become the most technically sound swimmers in the water. A DQ today is a lesson that pays dividends for the rest of their career.

Keep swimming, NSC!! 🌊💙

TEAM SPOTLIGHT: Ashbury Alligators 🐊🌊

Formed in 1994 and coming into 2025 with more momentum than ever — the Ashbury Alligators are fired up, record-breaking, and bringing their whole neighborhood along for the ride.

Let's talk about what's been happening in Alligator waters.

🐊 A RECORD NUMBER AT CLASSIC AND CITY
The Alligators sent their highest number of swimmers to Classic and City Championships in years. Not a handful. Not a modest turnout. A record. That's a program that is growing, thriving, and showing up when it matters most. Every swimmer in that cap earned their spot — and the Alligators showed up as a team.

🐊 A LONG-STANDING POOL RECORD — GONE
The 11/12 boys came to swim this season and made history doing it. A long-standing pool record that had been on the books for years? Broken. That's the kind of moment that gets talked about for a long time in Ashbury.

🐊 THE NEIGHBORHOOD PARADE — WITH CANDY AND A WATER FIGHT
Okay, this might be our favorite tradition in the entire NSC. The Ashbury Alligators don't just parade through their neighborhood before a big meet — they bring candy AND start a water fight with the neighbors who come out to cheer them on. The community doesn't just watch the parade. They're part of it. Soaking wet and loving every second. If that's not the spirit of summer swimming, we don't know what is.

🐊 HOSTING THE SOUTHSIDE INVITATIONAL
The Alligators also have the honor of hosting the Southside Invitational — bringing together all the teams that feed into Neuqua Valley High School for a day of fierce, fun competition. Swimmers racing against their peers. Future Wildcats competing side by side before they ever share a hallway.

Founded in 1994 and better than ever in 2025 — the Ashbury Alligators are record-breakers, parade-throwers, and one of the most electric communities in the NSC.

Ashbury Alligators, the NSC is cheering for you. Keep chomping. 🐊💙