It's here! Our first meet is on Thursday! It's been a while since we've all done this and is totally new for some of you, so we wanted to review some basics for our meets.

• Let's do weather first! We swim rain or shine unless there is thunder/lightning. If you have not already done so, please download the SwimTopia app, log in, and enable notifications. We will use it communicate small items that need a quick response, most especially weather delays. If we do have to clear the deck for lightning, DO NOT leave the pool! Most of the time, we'll have a short delay and start again.
  • If you are not getting notifications from SwimTopia, an email will be sent to the address on file, and it will also be posted to the front page of the website.
• Coaches will be running through the lineups at practice in the morning, so please get your swimmer to practice tomorrow if at all possible. Once they're sure the assignments are right, we'll publish the heat sheet that tells you when your swimmers are up (probably on Thursday after practice). Also be sure to watch for volunteer assignments. We will likely plug a few people into crucial volunteer roles who had not signed up, so please double check that on Thursday afternoon!
• Parking will be on the cul-de-sacs, outbound lanes only! All of the parking lot spaces will be reserved for meet officials and sponosrs. We will have a few people running shuttles before the meet, but feel free to drop off swimmers at the pool before you park!
• Tomorrow at practice we will have a demonstration on how to write your swimmers' races on their arms. Be sure to mark their races before they arrive at the meet, and put names on the younger swimmers' shoulder blades! There's also a tutorial on the website. While you're there, there's a little more in depth information on what to expect if you've never been to a swim meet before!
• Swimmers should arrive at the pool at 4:30. We'll have warmups first then a little down time (great time for snacks!) while the other team warms up. Competition itself should start at 6:00. Once your swimmer is done (check with a bullpen parent in case we made a mid-meet change!) and your volunteer shift is over, feel free to head out if you need to or hang with us to cheer on the older kids! Those last few events are some of the most exciting of the night!!
• Swimmers will be spending most of the meet in a "bullpen" with the rest of their age group. A few brave souls have volunteered to sit with them and help them get to their races on time. It's important that they be in their bullpens where those adults can find them, so other than grabbing food, running to the restroom, or swimming, they should be in the bullpen for their age group.
• Concessions is a huge deal for every swim team - it allows us to do lots of fun things like popcicle Fridays! and replacing damaged or aging equipment. Please support our team by buying from our concession stand.
• Please, no alcohol at the meet. We can be disqualified if the county finds out, so let's save that for the after party!
• Things to bring:
  • swim cap (with your name on it!)
  • goggles
  • if you aren't wearing a Saddlebrook suit, make sure it doesn't have another team logo on it!
  • 2 towels
  • jacket/hoodie for after the sun goes down
  • backpack to keep your stuff in
• If we finish early enough, we'd love to meet up for ice cream at Bruster's on Due West Road to celebrate our first meet!

Did I forget anything? Don't hesitate to ask! Go Seahorses!!