Hey there Gators!
Who’s ready for swim season? The purpose of this email is to welcome you to our team and to provide you with a few details about how our season will go. It is going to be lengthy, so bear with us. We will also post this information on our website, our Facebook group and on our bulletin board at the pool.
First and foremost, please review the pool rules with your swimmers:
• NO RUNNING on the pool deck. If swimmers are late, have them walk quickly to their lane and ask the coach if they can get in the pool.
• DO NOT enter the pool without your coach’s approval.
• No SWIMMING in the DEEP END or jumping off the diving boards.
Practice – Our practice will begin today, May 3rd. We will have three practices divided by age groups.
8 & Under: 5:30 – 6:15
9 -12: 6:15 – 7:00
13-18: 7:00 – 8:00
Please to arrive to your assigned practice times 5-10 minutes early. If possible, please have your swimmer use the restroom before practice begins. You may leave your swimmer at the pool or stay for the practice. If you choose to stay please, bring your own chair.
We understand that other sports are going on during the beginning and throughout the swim season. Although, practice is the best way to learn and improve, swimmers will not be penalized for missing practices or meets.
Equipment – For practice your swimmer will need goggles, a towel, and a swimsuit. Girls must wear one-piece suits. It is helpful for swimmers with long hair to wear a cap, but not mandatory. Each swimmer will receive a swim cap today at practice, along with a team shirt.
Bad Weather Days – We will post on the website, Facebook, Remind, and send a text if practice is cancelled due to bad weather. We will try to make a decision as soon as possible, but as weather is unpredictable, it may be a late call.
Remind – Along with other methods of communication, we will utilize the Remind app quite often in the season. To join our Remind group text: @gataswim to 81010 to sign up.
Fundraiser – This year we will be selling World’s Finest Chocolate Covered Almonds as our fundraiser. Each swimmer will be given one “case” of chocolate (families of two or more swimmers will be given two cases of chocolate). Each case consists of 2 boxes of 30 chocolates. These almonds will sell for $2 each.
Buy-out – If you opted to “buy-out” during registration, you will not be required to sell chocolate. There is still time to buy-out of the fundraiser if you choose not to sell chocolate. The buyout price is $70 per child ($140 for families of 2 or more). The buyout must be paid by May 13th.
Sales Competition – This season we will reward the individual swimmer that sells the most cases of chocolate, with a $25 Visa gift card. The top selling family of two or more swimmers will also be rewarded with a gift card!
Team Suit – Our team suit will be the same as last year. A fitting date is still To Be Determined.
Swim Meets – This season we will have five in person swim meets. Our meet schedule is posted on the team website under the Swim Meet tab, and in the Calendar section. More information will be provided about each specific meet as the dates get closer.
Meet Volunteers – Volunteers are essential for the success of our children’s swim team. Each swim meet requires everyone to step up and volunteer. There is a list of volunteer jobs on the website under “Meet FAQ’s”, then “Volunteer FAQ’s”. Read the available jobs and sign up early if you know what job you would like to have. We ask that at least one adult from each family take a shift at each meet.
Coaches – Our Head Coach this season will be Coach Jay Godfrey and our Assistant Coach will be Coach Jason Lind-Olson. During practice, the coaches need to be able to focus on the kids in the pool. Unless, it is an immediate safety emergency, we ask that you not approach the coaches during practice. You may contact a board member with your concern or meet with the coaches in between practices.
We are excited to get our season going and to provide a fun and safe environment for the kids! We promise to do our best to provide a constant flow of information regarding practices, meets, and the list goes on and on. You will find that information on our Facebook group, our website, and our pool bulletin board. There will also be board members at each practice to answer any questions you may have about the season. Please know that we will do everything in our power to provide a safe environment for our swimmers and their families.
We are excited to get this season started. See everyone tonight!
We can’t wait to see everyone!
The Dickinson Gator Swim Board