It's here! Our first meet is today! 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.
• After many, many changes over the last 24 hours, we have finalized the heat sheet! I'm attaching it along with the volunteer assignments. We will had to plug a few people into crucial volunteer roles who had not signed up, so please double check that to see what your role is for tonight!
• Parking will be on the cul-de-sacs, outbound lanes only! The DOT is planning to pave Heritage Oaks tomorrow, so don't be surprised if you see don't signs to not park on the street. All of the parking lot spaces will be reserved for meet officials. Feel free to drop off swimmers at the pool before you park! 

See the map below to see our seating arrangements. 

• Be sure to mark your swimmers' races on their arm (or leg) before they arrive at the meet, and put names on their shoulder blades so volunteers can help get them where they need to go! There's 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 4:45. We'll have warmups before the meet begins 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 - we all depend on concessions to help keep keep our teams running! Please support our fellow teams whenever possible by buying from the concession stand. Tonight, Heritage Oaks will be offering Zaxbys, Jet's Pizza and hot dogs along with chips, candy and drinks. Cash or credit card are accepted.
• 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 the inside of it!)
  • goggles
  • if you aren't wearing a Saddlebrook suit or cap, 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
• We'd love to meet up with everyone for ice cream at Bruster's on Due West Road after the meet to celebrate our first meet!

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