Hey, guys! I can't believe it's almost here!! I know some of you are starting to get anxious about getting all of your ducks in a row, so I thought I'd check in with some extra information for you!

Team practices will start next Wednesday, May 6 for most ages, but the 5/6 and 7/8 years olds will get a special introduction day first. This will be a great chance for the swimmers and coaches to get to know each other and ease their way into a smaller practice group. We're going to split them up and let the girls go first on Monday, May 4 at 4:30 for the 5/6 year olds and at 5:15 for the 7/8 year olds. The boys will be up next on Tuesday, May 5 at 4:30 for the 5/6 year olds and at 5:15 for the 7/8 year olds. You guys will revert to the normal practice schedule on Wednesday.

Please remember that there is no parking on Saddlebrook Way. If the parking lot is full, we can park on any side street (on outbound lanes only).

I have important dates on the calendar for you along with the practice schedule posted on the website. (Note that older age groups take turns on who has be at the pool first thing in for morning practices after school gets out. Changes for Memorial Day week are also posted on that page.) The important dates and meets are on the team-wide subscribe-able calendar!

Calendar Subscription Links

• Team Event Calendar: Google Calendar Apple Format
• 5/6 Practice Calendar: Google Calendar Apple Format
• 7/8 Practice Calendar: Google Calendar Apple Format
• 9/10 Practice Calendar: Google Calendar Apple Format
• 11/12 Practice Calendar:Google Calendar Apple Format
• 13/18 Practice Calendar:Google Calendar Apple Format

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We do have a few spots left, so if you have friends who are interested in joining, have them contact me at [email protected].

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New last year: we'll have a drawing for a prime parking spot for each home meet and the banquet. For every shift you volunteer at the snack bar, you'll get an entry into the drawing! Be sure to sign up for spots during your swimmers' practice times on our Signup Genius! It's also available on the main page of our website if you lose this email! It's an easy job and a great way to get to know the team while watching your swimmers practice. 

We are running short a few families for this season, so we'll need to pitch in a little stronger than usual on volunteer positions...but we want to reward our over-achievers! For every additional shift worked by your family (four are required), we'll add an additional entry into a drawing for a free swimmer for next season!! Congratulations to the Crossley family who won last year's drawing!! Not only does Julie work then entire meet for all five meets in the computer area, her husband is also always on call to fill in anywhere we fall short. There are so many families who do whatever it takes to help the Saddlebrook Seahorses succeed behind the scenes, and I can't wait to see who gets recognized at the end of this season!

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For all you new-to-summer-swim families, we've been working to put together Swim Team 101 on our website! I'll also be sending out bits and pieces when they apply. Here's the first segment:

What Gear Do I Need?

There is very little gear you will need to purchase, as Saddlebrook provides most of what's needed (i.e., swim caps, kickboards, swim buoys, etc), but there are a few things you'll want to pick up:

• Good competition goggles are a must, especially for swimmers who are actually diving off the dive blocks. These are not the ones you'll find at the local store. While they do run a little more than play goggles, they are key to not wearing the goggles around your neck once you dive in! Most of the kids prefer Speedo or Nike or something similar - a silicone seal around the eye sockets and an adjustable nose are preferable. Many swimmers love to replace their goggle straps with bungee straps. Mirrored lenses are a good option for sunny practices but do limit visibility when swimming after dark. New this year: pick up a pair at the snack bar! No more running all over town to find a replacement when your go missing!
• You have hopefully already purchased a team swimsuit (find links to the manufacturer on our website if you're in need of a team suit), but some people like to have an additional suit for practice. Swim Outlet has some nice but fairly cheap options, especially for boys' jammers which are harder to find locally. Girls can typically get away with most any one-piece suit. Additional suits are a luxury, not a requirement, but they may extend the life of your team suit, especially if your swimmer is unlikely to outgrow it for next season.
• Every swimmer will be provided with a latex swim cap, but many swimmers prefer the fit of a silicone cap. Long hair especially seems to work better with silicone. We will have a silicone team caps (along with replacement latex caps) available for sale throughout the season at the snack bar. Reminder: any swimmer competing with a year-round or high school team cap will be disqualified at summer league meets, so make sure you either have a Saddlebrook cap or a plain one at every meet!
• You'll want to bring a towel to practice and two to meets.
• You'll want a bag to carry all of your gear, especially to meets. I can't tell you how many swimmers end up bringing home someone else's gear because it wasn't stowed away! While any bag will do, there are a few styles made especially for swim gear. Take a look at these on Swim Outlet.

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Hopefully you all made it to the end of this email - I don't want to give too much at once, but I'd rather give you too much information than not enough!

As always, feel free to reach out to me or to any of the board members including age group reps if you have questions - contact information is being updated on the website for all of us including coaches as is the team directory (only viewable for team members who are logged in). 

Go Seahorses!