Thank you to everyone that was able to make the parent meeting on Sunday. For those that were not able to, here is a recap. Please read through as we covered a lot of information.

Volunteering:

During registration, you accepted the 2016 parent policy, if you did not read it, it’s on the website here. The biggest change this year is each family will be responsible for 35 volunteering points to remain in good standing with the team, this is the equivalent of approximately 4 full meets. If you do not meet your 35 points you will not be allow to register with returning swimmers next year and will need to go through new swimmer tryouts if you wish to remain on the team. In 2017, we will include a fee for not meeting your minimum. That said, there will be plenty of opportunity to get your 35 points. Job descriptions on all volunteering roles can be found here.

For those of you interested in being a Stroke and Turn judge, training will be held on Wednesday May 11th at 6:30 pm at our pool. If you are interested in becoming a stroke and turn judge, please plan to attend. Your certification is good for TWO years, so if you have an expired certification, you will also need to attend.

Volunteers make Seals HAPPEN! We love how quick our families are to step up and help and we want to continue to foster that while also sharing the load across the entire team. Thank you in advance for making this a successful year of volunteering!

Communication:

Please reference the website for information first and foremost. Countless hours have been spent on it during the offseason to make it our primary source of information. Facebook and Text Alerts are also great ways of getting information instantaneously…think early Saturday morning weather delays. Text alerts change yearly as the team roster changes so you will need to sign up again for 2016. Please sign up for one or both as soon as possible. All information on communication can be found here.

Sponsorships:

If you (or anyone you know!) owns a business and would like to sponsor our team, please click here or email Ashley Vavasour at [email protected] for more information.

Seals Merchandise:

Last chance to order merchandise is TONIGHT! Click here to go to the team store.

Practice Groups:

Following the first week of QuickStarts, the coaches will be forming practice groups. The groups will be based on age and ability. Your swimmer will be placed in the group that best suits them. You can expect an email with the group information by Wednesday April 27th. The goal of the practice placement is to ensure that your swimmer is in the group that is most appropriate for his/her skill level and age group.

The first week of practice is always a time of adjustments for everyone. Please be patient as we will be short on coaches as they are finishing college finals, traveling for graduation or still in high school hours. Former coach, Elliott, will be on deck the first week to fill in for some of the absences.

NEW THIS YEAR!!! Please write your child’s name on their back the first week of practice. This will help the coaches learn names.

Swimmers are required to attend at least ONE PRACTICE a week and TWO SWIM MEETS to stay part of the team.

“Swimmer of the Week” will be awarded weekly to one boy and one girl in each practice session. This will be given to the swimmer that shows sportsmanship, teamwork, improvement in the water and/or hard work!

Equipment and Safety:

Please send your swimmers to practice with fins, kickboard, goggles, swim cap (especially the girls) and a towel. It is important for you to LABEL EVERYTHING. Please no swim/sun shirts or board shorts (boys). These items interfere with the swimmer’s ability to move freely and properly in the water. Prepare for the cooler days when your swimmer exits the pool with a towel and warm clothes.

Orange Seal tags will be available at QuickStarts and the first week of practice. This will allow your swimmer to enter through the front swim office without having to scan their pool card. Please attach this to your swimmer’s bag.

Coaches and swimmers will meet over on the picnic tables by the volleyball court everyday prior to getting in the water. Please have your swimmer wear flip-flops/shoes over to the tree and have them leave their equipment by the gate or on the deck.

If your child has any medical condition that should require the coaches to have prior knowledge, please email Coach Colleen directly so she can communicate this with the other coaches. Any necessary medical equipment (epi-pens, inhalers, etc.) should be sent to practice in your child's swim bag where it can be easily accessed. Once your child is engaged in practice, please do not interfere with the coaches' ability to communicate with your kids. If there is anything you need to discuss with the coaches, you MUST do so outside of practice time.

All siblings that may be swimming in the open swim area must be within arms length of a caretaker, even if they can swim on their own - this is a rule of the pool/lifeguards.

Thanks for reading the entire way! :-) We appreciate your time and as always, let us know if you have any questions!

Colleen and Katie