Good Morning People of the Pool,

I had sent this email last night, but it somehow disappeared into the ether of Swimtopia, so I apologize for it being a bit late this week. Even with the holiday this week we still have a jam-packed schedule (when don't we, right?), so please make sure to read through everything and get your bearings for the week.

First, let me make a small PSA about some of our upcoming meets as we have a few that are a bit different than our normal dual meet fare. There are some meets (Relays/Divisionals/Champs) which require us to get our entries in earlier and the lineup process is a bit more involved. For this reason, please make sure to go in and mark your attendance status as soon as possible in order to save us from having to make too many last minute changes. We also have a couple meets (Squirt Gun/B Meet) in which you will be choosing events for your swimmer (as opposed to only marking their attendance), so please be aware of what they would like to swim. As always, Coach Beth (for Jr Team) and I are happy to help you with these decisions. As another reminder, please look through the FAQ section on the Swimtopia website where there are descriptions of each meet and can answer the plethora of questions I am sure you may have.

Now onto the agenda for the week:

Monday, July 2nd:

Relay Entries Due:

We have to get our relay entries in tonight so please make sure to look over the entry report attached. If your swimmer is listed on a relay and cannot make the meet on Thursday we need to know immediately. If we do not hear from you we will assume that we are good to go for Thursday.

12:30-1:00PM -- Stroke Clinic:

Come on down to the Olympic Pool deck to work on backstroke starts and finishes. All levels are welcome and will be accommodated.

4:00-4:30PM -- Jr Team Practice

This is a reminder of the email I sent out last week introducing an afternoon session for our Jr Team practices. The practice will take place in the shallow end of the Olympic Pool where the morning practices are held.

Wednesday, July 4th:

Squirt Gun Entries Due

All entries for Saturday's Squirt Gun Meet are due by 9:00PM. Obviously most of us will be doing other things at that time so please make sure to to get those entries in earlier instead of later. I would rather not spend my 4th of July evening manually doing entries if at all possible. 

No Practice -- Happy Independence Day!

There will be no practices on Wednesday so that everyone can sleep in and join us at 11:00AM for all the festivities the club has to offer. I will be on the main deck for games and relays, so make your way down to say hello and Happy 4th!

Thursday, July 5th:

Relay Practice:

So that no one has to worry about getting up too early after the 4th we will be holding a single practice on Thursday from 10:00-11:00AM. We will be working on relay starts and racing some relays in preparation for the Divisional Relay Meet at night. This practice is open to all Swim Team members whether they are entered in the Relay Meet or not. 

A Division Relay Championships

As noted above please make sure to check the attached lineup and let us know immediately if your swimmer is not able to participate on Thursday night. Even if your swimmer is not entered to swim, they are encouraged to join the team and cheer us on. Relays is a quick and very fun meet. So if you think you can make it to Manor, come on out.

Where: Manor Country Club

Warm Ups: 5:30-6:15pm

Meet Start: 6:30pm

Friday, July 6th:

Yellow Ribbon Fund Aquathon

On Friday we will be holding our annual YRF Aquathon event. You all should have received an email over the weekend with details and all the ways to participate and donate. The pool will be open during all practice times, 8:15-11:45am, for swimmers (and their parents) to hop in and swim their laps. We always encourage the swimmers to try and get their donations per lap. Most of them surprise themselves (and their donators) with how far they are able to make it. When you are finished swimming come up to the dive in deck to make a card for our brave service members which will be delivered next week at the YRF golf tournament held hear at Army Navy. 

Saturday, July 7th:

Squirt Gun Mini-Meet:

Where: Belle Haven CC

Warm Ups: 7:25-7:40am

Meet Start: 8:00am

Who: Open to all of our 10&U swimmers who have signed up (get it in before the 4th to be sure). Each swimmer may swim up to 3 events of their choosing as long as they have not placed in the top 3 for that event at any dual meet this season.

Sunday, July 8th:

Bethesda B Meet Entries Due:

Please have all of your entries in for the B meet on Tuesday, July 10th by 8:00pm on Sunday. This is another meet where you will be able to choose events for your swimmer. They may swim up to 3 individual events.

Here's to another great week on deck and in the pool. As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

From the Deck,

Coach Ian