Hello Again Swim Fam,

I hope everyone is staying cool as the sun slowly tries to melt all of us. It was wonderful to see all of our swim team peeps on deck for the 4th of July festivities. If you weren't there, you missed out. The zenith of the events came during the always competitive Lifeguard Challenge Relay.  The swim team challengers of Haley Lehman, Kate Douglas, Charlie Greenwood, and Henry Levi won both the free and medley relays over some parent relays, an assortment of ringers, and, of course, the best the lifeguards had to offer. So congrats to them and to all the parents who proved to their kids that they still got it. 

Now it's time to move out of holiday mode and into a very full week of events. There is a lot to get through so please make sure to take the time to read through everything so you know the deal. I am getting this out a little early to give you a head start on your reading assignment. So pop this open over your breakfast tomorrow like the Sunday edition of The Washington Post. It may not have quite the breadth of news, but I can guarantee that it will have far less angst over the viability of our democratic institutions, which is a plus. 

And away we go...

Tuesday, July 9th -- A Division Relay Championships @ Kenwood CC

Warm Up: 5:15PM          Start: 6:30PM          Theme: USA!

Tuesday evening we will travel to Kenwood CC for the A Division Relay Championships (aka Divisional Relays). Relays is the smallest team we have compete in any meet during the season (entry report attached). With only a free relay and medley relay for each age group there are only 45-50 swimmers who will swim. That doesn't mean that we will be a small group on deck at Kenwood though. We usually have the largest cheering section for Relays and I don't see why this year would be any different. All swimmers are welcome, nay encouraged, to join their Army Navy compatriots who are competing in the meet and come to cheer and enjoy the post meet festivities. As referenced above, in honor of the impending Olympics our theme will be USA! So put on your best red, white, and blue and come ready to cheer for the starts and stripes. 

Relays is one of the most exciting meets of the year and also the shortest (likely done by 8PM). So it makes it an easier choice to join us on deck even if you are not swimming. The meet will be followed by a buffet dinner and DJ dance party held in the Kenwood clubhouse. Fun will be had.

In addition to a coaches relay, Kenwood has announced that there will be a parent relay following the meet as well. I would love to put together a a squad to compete against parents from the rest of the clubs. You do not need to be a parent of a swimmer who is competing to be involved. In the past we have had a dads relay as well as a moms relay. Please reach out if you are interested and we can start to put together a crew. 

Thursday, July 11th -- A Meet vs. Norbeck @ Army Navy

Warm Up: 5:15PM          Start: 6:10PM           Theme: Country Western

The team from Norbeck CC will cross the river to our hood on Thursday. This is Norbeck's first year in A Division since they joined the league in the late 90s and this will be their first trip to Army Navy for a dual meet. It is an A meet so everyone will swim at least Freestyle and we will work with Norbeck to provide as many opportunities as we can for our swimmers without keeping everyone past bedtime. Please make sure you have marked your swimmer's availability for the Norbeck meet by Tuesday evening. We will have the lineup finished for everyone on Thursday morning. 

Our theme for Thursday will be country western. So dress as your favorite cowboy or your Swiftie Era (as long as that era is Debut or Fearless). Hopefully Norbeck take the long ride home singing the blues. As always, there will be a buffet during and after the meet open to all.

Friday, July 12th -- Fun Friday Practice and Tie Dye

As we do every week there will be an all-team practice from 8:45-10:00AM. Following practice there will be tie dye stations set up for the swimmers. So bring your favorite Army Navy gear to get groovy. The club will have ice cream sandwiches with homemade cookies to add to the festivities. 

Saturday, July 13th -- Duckies & Donuts 10&U Meet @ Army Navy Fairfax

Warm Up: 8:15AM          Start: 9:00AM

Saturday morning Belle Haven will join us for the Duckies & Donuts meet out at the Fairfax pool. This meet is a great opportunity for some of our largest age groups to get swims in events they may not have the chance to at our main dual meets. The sign ups for the meet are open (previously there were no events loaded for you to choose from, so even if you had marked your swimmer's availability, you can go back in and choose events now). Please make sure to have your entries in for the meet by Thursday evening at 11:00PM. No new entries will be accommodated after that point. 

After the meet there will be house-made donuts for the swimmers (and volunteers of course) and the swimmers will have free reign of the pool for a little splash party. Swimmers may bring one float to play in the pool with after the meet. 

One final note on next week before I leave you: the sign ups for Washington Golf's meet will close on Friday night so that the coaches can work on the lineups over the weekend. Please make sure to have your swimmer's availability marked by Friday night or they may not be entered in the meet for next Tuesday. As we run down to the end of the season, make sure you have gotten your volunteer credit in. Once we get into our championship meets, swimmers whose families have not yet volunteered will not be eligible to swim. Knocking those requirements out earlier will save a lot of angst at a later date. 

That's all for now. See you all at the pool.

From the Deck,

Coach Ian