Weekly Update #3
May 26th
Hey there Hammerheads! Happy Memorial Weekend to all!!!!! We hope you are enjoying this BEAUTIFUL weather and quality time with all your friends & family. A big shout out to our armed forces and the veterans of our country, who continually go above and beyond to keep our country safe!
Agenda for the week is below:
1. First Meet General Information
2. What to bring to a meet/Where to park
3. What to expect during a meet
4. Practice Schedule for upcoming week
5. Practice Schedule for next week
6. Swim Stroke Clinics (Saturdays)
7. Important Information about Time Trials
8. Important Information about Meet Planning
9. Swim Lesson Information
10. Swim Suit and Flipper Update
11. SWIM MEET ABSENCES DOCUMENT
12. Send in Meet Absences for Meet #2 ASAP!
13. GAME DAY this Thursday morning
1. First Meet General Information
First Swim Meet Date: Wednesday, May 29th
Where: Riverside Pool
Address: 6450 Riverside Dr, Atlanta, GA 30328
Arrival Time: 4:00-4:15 PM
Warm Up Time: 4:45 PM
Meet Start Time: 5:30 PM
Approx. End Time for 6&Unders: 7:00 PM
Approx End of Time for Entire Meet: 9:30 PM
****Please note these approx. times are my best guess! I get this this question every year so I thought I would go ahead and address it - however, it could be earlier or later depending on a bunch of factors that are completely out of our control (weather, referee speed, random issues, etc......). We really appreciate your support and patience! (especially at the first one of the season)PRIOR TO SWIM MEET: If possible, please allow your kids a "chill" day (reading, movies, air conditioning, light snacks, naps, etc.) We strongly recommend not spending the day in the sun, at the pool, at the skate park, in trees, or doing activity that requires a lot physical strength. Swim Meets are taxing and we want to make sure our swimmers are healthy, happy, and non-injured when they arrive at the pool!
First Swim Meet Date: Wednesday, May 29th
Where: Riverside Pool
Address: 6450 Riverside Dr, Atlanta, GA 30328
Arrival Time: 4:00-4:15 PM
Warm Up Time: 4:45 PM
Meet Start Time: 5:30 PM
Approx. End Time for 6&Unders: 7:00 PM
Approx End of Time for Entire Meet: 9:30 PM
****Please note these approx. times are my best guess! I get this this question every year so I thought I would go ahead and address it - however, it could be earlier or later depending on a bunch of factors that are completely out of our control (weather, referee speed, random issues, etc......). We really appreciate your support and patience! (especially at the first one of the season)PRIOR TO SWIM MEET: If possible, please allow your kids a "chill" day (reading, movies, air conditioning, light snacks, naps, etc.) We strongly recommend not spending the day in the sun, at the pool, at the skate park, in trees, or doing activity that requires a lot physical strength. Swim Meets are taxing and we want to make sure our swimmers are healthy, happy, and non-injured when they arrive at the pool!
2. What to bring to a meet/Where to park
Where to park: Riverside is a tricky one! There is parking in the lot and along the street leading into the lot; however, it is limited. There is also parking on the streets off of Riverside Drive. Please do not double park! Our recommendation is to get there early if you can!
What to bring:
- GOGGLES
- Two TOWELS
- One piece bathing suit/jammer
- Swim cap (You can purchase caps at the meet if you do not have one)
- Sunscreen
- CASH (small bills) for concession stand
- Extra Lawn Chairs
- Games/coloring book, etc. for bullpen area for entertainment
3. What to expect during a meet
**Organized Chaos - per usual** :)
1. What to do as soon as you get to Riverside: Swimmers should go straight to the check in desk (TBA Location) to receive their event card with their name on it. Swimmer should then find their designated place in the bullpen area and sit on a towel with their age group. Arm Writers and coaches will be coming around to use event cards to write their events on their arms.
2. What to do after your events are written on your arm: HANG OUT in the bullpen area with the swimmers in your age group! Stay in the bullpen - bullpen parents will be walking around to check in with each swimmer. Coaches will call swimmers for warm ups and return them to bullpen afterwards for the cheer/beginning of meet.
3. Why is it so important for swimmers to stay in the bullpen? Because we need to be able to find swimmers for their races! :) We beg you - please do not take your swimmer out of the bullpen area without letting their bullpen parent or a coach know ahead of time. Whether it's bathroom or concession stand, or a walk around the pool - we really need to know where they are so we don't have to frantically search for them before their event. Bullpen parents and coaches will take swimmers to the blocks - there is lots of spectator viewing space around the pool.
- GOGGLES
- Two TOWELS
- One piece bathing suit/jammer
- Swim cap (You can purchase caps at the meet if you do not have one)
- Sunscreen
- CASH (small bills) for concession stand
- Extra Lawn Chairs
- Games/coloring book, etc. for bullpen area for entertainment
3. What to expect during a meet
**Organized Chaos - per usual** :)
1. What to do as soon as you get to Riverside: Swimmers should go straight to the check in desk (TBA Location) to receive their event card with their name on it. Swimmer should then find their designated place in the bullpen area and sit on a towel with their age group. Arm Writers and coaches will be coming around to use event cards to write their events on their arms.
2. What to do after your events are written on your arm: HANG OUT in the bullpen area with the swimmers in your age group! Stay in the bullpen - bullpen parents will be walking around to check in with each swimmer. Coaches will call swimmers for warm ups and return them to bullpen afterwards for the cheer/beginning of meet.
3. Why is it so important for swimmers to stay in the bullpen? Because we need to be able to find swimmers for their races! :) We beg you - please do not take your swimmer out of the bullpen area without letting their bullpen parent or a coach know ahead of time. Whether it's bathroom or concession stand, or a walk around the pool - we really need to know where they are so we don't have to frantically search for them before their event. Bullpen parents and coaches will take swimmers to the blocks - there is lots of spectator viewing space around the pool.
4. Should I expect to stay until the end? 100% yes. Please do not leave the swim meet early under any circumstances. The races at the end of the meet are part of giant logic puzzle that gets all messed up if swimmers start disappearing near the end. However, after swimmers races are finished, swimmers are free to go!
5. How many races should I expect my swimmer to swim at the meet? Three events is average for ages 7&up - however, we have A LOT of swimmers who only know (to legally swim) freestyle. There is only one 25yd freestyle event and then one more event again at the end of the meet with the free relays. Therefore, we will have a lot of young swimmers this meet who will only have 2 events. This does not mean they are bad swimmers - it just means they need more time/instruction before we are able to put them in more events! The more strokes you know how to swim LEGALLY the more events we place you in at meets! (See swim lessons section) 6&Unders will have anywhere from 1 to 2 events on average. Please note there are a gazillion 6&Unders and we do our best to have everyone participate in a relay a couple of times before the season is over. Swimmers will not be guaranteed a relay every meet - it's just not possible. We appreciate your patience and trust in us on the giant journey we call meet planning!
6. What do I do if something unexpected happens and we cannot attend the meet or we are going to be late? (Example: broken arm, sick/ill, car breaks down, etc) TEXT COACH LANEY immediately - 404-402-6566. However, she begs you to EMAIL her throughout the season with any questions/needs (not text). It's easier for her to respond in time and keep track of who she has reached out to over email rather than phone for day to day things! (She learned this the hard way over the past decade haha!)
4. Practice Schedule for upcoming week
****MORNING PRACTICE STARTS THIS WEEK******
5. How many races should I expect my swimmer to swim at the meet? Three events is average for ages 7&up - however, we have A LOT of swimmers who only know (to legally swim) freestyle. There is only one 25yd freestyle event and then one more event again at the end of the meet with the free relays. Therefore, we will have a lot of young swimmers this meet who will only have 2 events. This does not mean they are bad swimmers - it just means they need more time/instruction before we are able to put them in more events! The more strokes you know how to swim LEGALLY the more events we place you in at meets! (See swim lessons section) 6&Unders will have anywhere from 1 to 2 events on average. Please note there are a gazillion 6&Unders and we do our best to have everyone participate in a relay a couple of times before the season is over. Swimmers will not be guaranteed a relay every meet - it's just not possible. We appreciate your patience and trust in us on the giant journey we call meet planning!
6. What do I do if something unexpected happens and we cannot attend the meet or we are going to be late? (Example: broken arm, sick/ill, car breaks down, etc) TEXT COACH LANEY immediately - 404-402-6566. However, she begs you to EMAIL her throughout the season with any questions/needs (not text). It's easier for her to respond in time and keep track of who she has reached out to over email rather than phone for day to day things! (She learned this the hard way over the past decade haha!)
4. Practice Schedule for upcoming week
****MORNING PRACTICE STARTS THIS WEEK******
Monday: NO PRACTICE - Happy Memorial Day!
Tuesday: First morning practice/Afternoon Practice/Junior Sharks practice
Wednesday: Morning Practice/Swim Meet in the afternoon/No Junior Sharks
Thursday: Game Day in the morning (Start time 10AM)/Time Trials in the afternoon/Junior Sharks Practice
Friday: Morning Practice/No Friday Afternoon Practices
5. Practice Schedule for next week
Monday: Morning Practice/Afternoon Practice
Tuesday: NO Morning Practice/Swim Meet in afternoon
Wednesday: Game Day at 10 AM/Afternoon Practice
Thursday: Morning Practice/Time Trials
Friday: Morning Practice/No Friday Afternoon Practice
6. Swim Stroke Clinics (Saturdays)
A huge thank you to Coach Ian and Coach Kateleigh who have designed STROKE CLINICS for those swimmers who are interested in extra instruction! These clinics are great option for those swimmers looking to learn more strokes or improve their current technique. Sign up sheets are below. Please read through all the information before signing up!
June 8th: (Dives & Flip Turns) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uX7ZvsdNbrwBG-pkkjrKM6eHWZlY18T-xtvG1FR-Dqs/edit?usp=sharing
June 15th: (Freestyle & Breaststroke) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NZS1W-nC0D8jKSphzAI0XsLDvfQlWl4kxf-t1b1fOAw/edit?usp=sharing
June 22nd: (Backstroke & Butterfly) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MeQPUwlx3mpEbCMHS4nMugRsL8n83ZaEvVQ_JA2fXrA/edit?usp=sharing
July 13th: (Breathing and Endurance Stamina) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Af4tdFNgFKtpej9dBdVc5jfeVKg9cOeJ8TfjmSL2jPw/edit?usp=sharing
July 20th: (Kicking Endurance) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Mdbg3Sd5ISvEEfz_YhO40pBv5V_7yu-R-I674B5TC40/edit?usp=sharing
July 27th: (Dives and Turns Part 2) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nrQM2_T9h2xMxj48Vu7ZxNx9WQd8pwYtikUgol3Jri0/edit?usp=sharing
7. Important Information about Time Trials
Time Trials on Thursday afternoons is one of the most important practices of the week. We beg you to please please make every effort to be there! We had so many missing times from this past trial that it made it incredibly difficult to know where to place some swimmers. We cannot guarantee more than one race to swimmers who we have zero times for.... We would hate to place them in a race where they don't know the stroke and then become upset/overwhelmed at the meet (this has happened too many times before).
If you've been on the team forever, this is a little different because we (typically not always) know your swimmers' their abilities by heart. But for those of you with 3 years or less, it's hard for to remember by heart which of your swimmers strokes are legal/which ones they know/which are their favorite. Therefore, itf we don't have times from time trials it makes it really hard to give them the meet schedule possible. Hope this makes sense and we appreciate your support as we navigate these first couple of weeks!
8. Important Information about Meet Planning
Meet planning begins right after time trials on Thursday nights so we cannot emphasize enough the importance of turning in your meet absences before Thursday. It is so hard to right someone out of the giant puzzle - so the sooner the better for reporting ALL absences for this season. Thank you to all the families who have already written us about the whole schedule!
9. Swim Lesson Information
The BEST way to see extra growth in your swimmer this season is through private swim lessons! I cannot recommend them enough. Feel free to reach out to Coach Laney, Coach Ian, Coach James, Coach Kateleigh, or Coach Alyssa. Please note Coach Laney's schedule is almost completely full until the second week in June.
Coach Laney - [email protected]
Coach Ian - [email protected]
Coach James - [email protected]
Coach Kateleigh - [email protected]
Coach Alyssa - [email protected]
10. Swim Suit and Flipper Update
The update is that we will NOT be using this company next year. We are sorry for all the problems we have run into with them - they were great last year. We especially appreciate all those parents who reached out and were so understanding that this situation is out of our control. It has been a huge surprise to us and we are very disappointed/sorry about the situation! As always, thanks for being so supportive and kind as we navigate all details that it takes to run a swim team. It means the world to us!
11. SWIM MEET ABSENCES DOCUMENT
Each page includes our list of swimmers who are going to be absent for each swim meet. If you could be so kind and read through this document REALLY quick to check our work - we would be so grateful! You won't be able to edit it, but you can email us and we will edit it for you.
MEET ABSENCES DOCUMENT: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e_4sx2pj2qgTszIbEESDrEOkD1t8KKQjuchWdxtqBGw/edit?usp=sharing
12. Send in Meet Absences for Meet #2 ASAP!
Game Day is this Thursday morning for all age groups starting at 10 AM! There will be no regular morning practice - instead EVERYONE shows up at 10 AM. There will be free play and we will announce Swimmers of the Meet awards! Game Day ends for all age groups at 11AM. It's a great time to play and bond with our community/teammates! Junior Sharks are welcome to attend if they would like to do so!
Tuesday: First morning practice/Afternoon Practice/Junior Sharks practice
Wednesday: Morning Practice/Swim Meet in the afternoon/No Junior Sharks
Thursday: Game Day in the morning (Start time 10AM)/Time Trials in the afternoon/Junior Sharks Practice
Friday: Morning Practice/No Friday Afternoon Practices
5. Practice Schedule for next week
Monday: Morning Practice/Afternoon Practice
Tuesday: NO Morning Practice/Swim Meet in afternoon
Wednesday: Game Day at 10 AM/Afternoon Practice
Thursday: Morning Practice/Time Trials
Friday: Morning Practice/No Friday Afternoon Practice
6. Swim Stroke Clinics (Saturdays)
A huge thank you to Coach Ian and Coach Kateleigh who have designed STROKE CLINICS for those swimmers who are interested in extra instruction! These clinics are great option for those swimmers looking to learn more strokes or improve their current technique. Sign up sheets are below. Please read through all the information before signing up!
June 8th: (Dives & Flip Turns) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uX7ZvsdNbrwBG-pkkjrKM6eHWZlY18T-xtvG1FR-Dqs/edit?usp=sharing
June 15th: (Freestyle & Breaststroke) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NZS1W-nC0D8jKSphzAI0XsLDvfQlWl4kxf-t1b1fOAw/edit?usp=sharing
June 22nd: (Backstroke & Butterfly) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MeQPUwlx3mpEbCMHS4nMugRsL8n83ZaEvVQ_JA2fXrA/edit?usp=sharing
July 13th: (Breathing and Endurance Stamina) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Af4tdFNgFKtpej9dBdVc5jfeVKg9cOeJ8TfjmSL2jPw/edit?usp=sharing
July 20th: (Kicking Endurance) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Mdbg3Sd5ISvEEfz_YhO40pBv5V_7yu-R-I674B5TC40/edit?usp=sharing
July 27th: (Dives and Turns Part 2) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nrQM2_T9h2xMxj48Vu7ZxNx9WQd8pwYtikUgol3Jri0/edit?usp=sharing
7. Important Information about Time Trials
Time Trials on Thursday afternoons is one of the most important practices of the week. We beg you to please please make every effort to be there! We had so many missing times from this past trial that it made it incredibly difficult to know where to place some swimmers. We cannot guarantee more than one race to swimmers who we have zero times for.... We would hate to place them in a race where they don't know the stroke and then become upset/overwhelmed at the meet (this has happened too many times before).
If you've been on the team forever, this is a little different because we (typically not always) know your swimmers' their abilities by heart. But for those of you with 3 years or less, it's hard for to remember by heart which of your swimmers strokes are legal/which ones they know/which are their favorite. Therefore, itf we don't have times from time trials it makes it really hard to give them the meet schedule possible. Hope this makes sense and we appreciate your support as we navigate these first couple of weeks!
8. Important Information about Meet Planning
Meet planning begins right after time trials on Thursday nights so we cannot emphasize enough the importance of turning in your meet absences before Thursday. It is so hard to right someone out of the giant puzzle - so the sooner the better for reporting ALL absences for this season. Thank you to all the families who have already written us about the whole schedule!
9. Swim Lesson Information
The BEST way to see extra growth in your swimmer this season is through private swim lessons! I cannot recommend them enough. Feel free to reach out to Coach Laney, Coach Ian, Coach James, Coach Kateleigh, or Coach Alyssa. Please note Coach Laney's schedule is almost completely full until the second week in June.
Coach Laney - [email protected]
Coach Ian - [email protected]
Coach James - [email protected]
Coach Kateleigh - [email protected]
Coach Alyssa - [email protected]
10. Swim Suit and Flipper Update
The update is that we will NOT be using this company next year. We are sorry for all the problems we have run into with them - they were great last year. We especially appreciate all those parents who reached out and were so understanding that this situation is out of our control. It has been a huge surprise to us and we are very disappointed/sorry about the situation! As always, thanks for being so supportive and kind as we navigate all details that it takes to run a swim team. It means the world to us!
11. SWIM MEET ABSENCES DOCUMENT
Each page includes our list of swimmers who are going to be absent for each swim meet. If you could be so kind and read through this document REALLY quick to check our work - we would be so grateful! You won't be able to edit it, but you can email us and we will edit it for you.
MEET ABSENCES DOCUMENT: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e_4sx2pj2qgTszIbEESDrEOkD1t8KKQjuchWdxtqBGw/edit?usp=sharing
12. Send in Meet Absences for Meet #2 ASAP!
NEXT Swim Meet: TUESDAY, JUNE 4TH
Here is how to report swim meet absences:
1. Create email with the subject line saying the LAST NAME of your family.
Example: The Fry Family
2. For the text, please list the dates and swimmers who will be absent.
Example: These swimmers will be absent on the following days....
Wednesday, May 29th - Johnny and Robert
Tuesday, June 4 - Kelly
Tuesday, June 11 - Johnny
Tuesday, June 18 - Robert and Kelly
Monday, June 24 - Johnny
** Feel free to copy and paste these dates into the email.
3. Address the email to [email protected] and hit SEND!
13. GAME DAY this Thursday morningGame Day is this Thursday morning for all age groups starting at 10 AM! There will be no regular morning practice - instead EVERYONE shows up at 10 AM. There will be free play and we will announce Swimmers of the Meet awards! Game Day ends for all age groups at 11AM. It's a great time to play and bond with our community/teammates! Junior Sharks are welcome to attend if they would like to do so!
As always, if you need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out! We are here to help!
Wishing everyone a safe and fun holiday weekend!
Your 2019 Coaching Staff
Laney, Ian, James, Kateleigh, Alyssa
Kate, Olivia, Nina, Griffin, and Andy
Kate, Olivia, Nina, Griffin, and Andy
