Greetings Gators,

This week marks the halfway point of the swim season. Yes, we are already halfway done with summer swim team.

NEW…

(1) Swim Meets 7/2 & 7/3: We will compete against Overlake this week; home on 7/2 (B Meet) and away on 7/3 (A Meet).

Tuesday, 7/2: For our home meet, all the info is on our website. Please review and plan accordingly. Check the team calendar for food truck info. Gator Pod Swimmers will swim their first home meet promptly at 5:45pm. Please RSVP on the website.

Wednesday, 7/3: We are in a bit of a due or die situation. Overlake is short on volunteers, specifically timers and officials. If you are willing and able, we need you. Email Lauren and Tyler at [email protected]. We will not be awarding any points for these shifts but you will get dinner. If you are already signed up to volunteer at this meet, your point will be honored. All volunteers will get dinner. Additionally, if you initially declared no for this meet but can make the meet, Coach Katie is allowing late declarations if the grown ups agree to help at the meet. Reply to us or coaches to be added to the meet. The goal is to get swimmers in the water. We know it is frustrating to pick up extra shifts but it is the trade off if we want swimmers to swim. We appreciate your help.

7/3 Meet Timeline: Coaches meet with the meet referee, meet director, and starter @ 4:40pm. Timers meeting with meet director and starter @ 5:15pm. Officials meeting (Stroke & Turn and relay take off) with meet referee @ 5:15pm. Overlake will warm up from 4:45pm - 5:15pm. Gators will warm up from 5:15pm – 5:45pm. Meet will begin at 6:00pm

Coach Reminders:

• Please check SwimminlyFan earlier in the day, and let your child know what events he/she is swimming before warm ups.
• Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled warm up time.
• Coaches will take attendance at warm ups. All swimmers please check in with the coaches when you arrive.
• If something has come up and you are unable to make any of next week’s meets, please email the coaches ASAP ([email protected]).

(2) Division & League Champs: Division Champs will be on Saturday, 7/20 at Rolling Hills. Declarations are open; please declare ASAP. The process for declaring is the same as regular meets. We hope you can make this meet! Fun Fact: this is Coach Katie’s absolute favorite meet.

League Champs: If your swimmer has received a white swim cap, that means he/she has qualified to swim that event at League Champs (aka A champs) on July 28th at KCAC. Please RSVP directly to the coaches with your availability to attend this meet. Swimmers can only swim events with a qualifying A time. Additional instructions will be provided as the date approaches.

Swimmers can swim up to three events between league AND division champs including a combination of no more than two individual or two relays.

ON REPEAT…

(1) Meet Declaration: How to Declare. Information and declaration for league champs (7/28) and division champs (7/20) will come at a later date.

(2) Meet Preparations: Items to bring, or consider, as you prepare for a meet

(3) Meet Q & A: Information for Swimmer Event Expectations; Relays; Meet Scratching; A Meet vs B Meet, Exhibition, how to write events on your arm with a sharpie.

(4) Buddies: Buddy matches and swimmer information are posted on the website and in the pool lobby. Pod buddies will be announced before their first meet on July 2. We will help match you up in person if you haven’t connected already. All buddies, review matches and expectations.

(5) National Anthem: If you are interested in performing the national anthem at our remaining home meets, please reach out to us.

(6) Awards: Ribbons, A Time Caps, Swimmer of the Week Information

(7) Parent Relay: Save the date for Thursday, July 11th before the meet starts to watch the most epic relay ever! Parents will swim against the coaches, lifeguards, and seniors. We welcome any parents interested! Reply and let us know if you are ready to jump into this adventure and we can provide more information and training opportunities.

(8) Reminders:

• Subscribe to the team calendar
• Check your practice time slot
• Join the Gators Swim Team 2024 chat on GroupMe to congratulate our swimmers of the week, meet other swimmers in your age group, share pictures, and connect with the team.

As always, reach out with questions. See you at the pool, and thank you for reading. Go Gators!

Donna and Ashley