Good evening Stingrays!

Welcome to our first “meet week!” Time trials are so important, both as a “practice” meet and because your swimmer has to have an official time for each event they want to swim this season. There is a lot of information included in this email so please make sure you read all the way through.

If you have not already, make sure you go register your swimmer AND sign up for your volunteer job for the meet. This has to be done by 9pm Tuesday evening. PLEASE ONLY SIGN UP FOR 1 SHIFT PER FAMILY TO GIVE EVERYONE A CHANCE TO GRAB A SHIFT. If you have signed up for more than 1 shift, please delete the extra shifts by Monday at noon, otherwise we will be forced to delete your extra shifts. However, if there are still open shifts by Tuesday at 5 pm, please feel free to grab another shift at that time.

To clarify, the additional Volunteer requirement for Divisionals is a requirement only if your swimmer attends Divisionals. While we highly encourage every swimmer to attend Divisionals, if your swimmer cannot make it, you will not be penalized for not volunteering at that meet.

Tent Set Up/Breakdown:

In addition to your 6 shifts, we have set up and breakdown at each meet to set up the items needed including age group tents, ready benches, lane ropes, chairs, etc. It is SCST policy that Meet Set Up/Breakdown does not count as your regular volunteer position. It is an extra function in which ALL swim parents are expected to participate. (If you are unable to fulfill your designated time, it is your responsibility to switch with another family.)

Here is the schedule by last name:

Also, attached you will find both a map for meet parking AND for set-up. Please make note of the entry and exit for the pool and where to set up family tents. There will be NO SET UP of tent or chairs inside the pool area. There will be tents for each age group and space for the families to have their own tent. Come into the pool area to volunteer, watch or shop (concessions and team store will be inside under the big pavilion). Meet parking is similar to practice, only we are able to utilize Louetta (single side in each direction only, please.)

COACHES CORNER

Hey Stingrays!

I am so proud of all the hard work each swimmer puts into our workouts, let’s keep it up! Our first meet is coming up on Saturday, for some this will be your first time at a meet. It can be loud and overwhelming, but it is also a lot of fun. Here is a break down of all individual events by age group:

11 and up: 50 butterfly, 50 backstroke, 50 breaststroke, 50 freestyle, 100 IM, 100 freestyle

7-10: 25 butterfly, 25 backstroke, 25 breaststroke, 25 freestyle, 50 freestyle

6 and under: 25 freestyle, 25 backstroke

Coach Emily, Coach Rosie, and Coach Alexis will not be at time trials this weekend; the Cy Creek women’s water polo team will be playing for the State title! Coach Elise will be in charge, as well as Coach Sharon, and Coach Carson will be here!

Can’t make time trials? We will have a lane dedicated to make-up swims during the first and last practices on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Please email Coach Emily ([email protected]) if you plan on doing a make-up time. See you at the pool!

SWIMMER PICTURES

Thank you to those who have already submitted pictures of their swimmers but we have only received approximately 25% thus far. We would really like to get headshots of all swimmers to assist in putting names with faces. Please email pictures with names to Bryce Elliott, our NWAL Representative, at [email protected], and he will put them on Swimtopia. Pictures will not be used for any other purpose.

STINGRAY/COACHES REMIND

If you haven’t already, now’s the time to sign up for the STINGRAY Remind. For updates and cancellations, please text @SCSTING to 81010. This is the preferred communication tool of the coaches, and the best way to get up-to-the minute information about practices and meet cancellations and changes. Please sign up as soon as possible to stay in touch.

The board finds out about cancellations and changes via Remind. If the coaches didn’t send anything, assume practice is happening.

SWIMTOPIA APP

For ALL swim meet information, download the SWIMTOPIA app from the Apple Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/swimtopia/id881521818) or Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teamtopia.swimtopia&hl=en)

This app is how heat sheets are shared and how to stay informed of what event is up next. If you are new be sure to download the app and ask an experienced swim team parent or board member to walk you through it before the meet on Saturday.

KEEPING THE LONGWOOD POOL CLEAN

Please pick up all your belongings and trash after practice. We need everyone’s efforts in keeping the area tidy and clean. The park area was a mess after Friday’s practice, and we also found quite a few items that were put into the ‘LOST AND FOUND’ bin. The HOA of Longwood is very supportive of our team but leaving the park and pool area a mess does not make for good relationships. 

As always, reach out to any board member if you have questions! [email protected]