Happy Monday, everyone!

Well…Week 1 of practice started with less-than-stellar weather, but the kids powered through and we ended really strong! We had a great turnout all week despite so many late-spring activities clogging up the calendars.

We’ve got Week 2 ahead of us with plenty of more to come beyond that, so of course we wanted to make sure we sent some reminders and updates to keep you all up to speed!

Practice Reminders

The coaches have really appreciated how many of the kids have been on the deck and ready for practice each day. We understand that it can be tough at this time of the year to get the kids to the pool on time, so if you’re running a little late, it’s no issue at all!

During afternoon practices, parents may be on the deck since the pool is officially open; however, we ask that parents refrain from staying at the end of the lanes near the timing end of the pool (the far end by the woods). This allows the coaches to work with the kids without the potential for even more distraction for our swimmers!

Equipment

If you haven’t yet picked up googles, kickboard, or fins, you can find them on our SwimOutlet shop or Metro Swim Shop (with a discount) or any other online or local retailer) of your choice. Please label your equipment since it’s easily confused in the relative chaos of the deck. It also makes it easy to return should anything be left behind. Sharpies will hold up in the water for a good while. If you lost something, check the lost & found areas at the Swim Club. If you’re not sure what to buy, feel free to ask a Team Rep or another veteran parent.

Volunteers

Thank you to those who have attended NVSL officials clinics so far! We would love to have a few more officials available to us, so please consider attending any of the upcoming clinics to get certified. NOTE: If you have attended a new S&T, Starter, or Referee clinic at any time, you only need to attend recertification training, even if you missed recertification in the past.

We will be sending out a more detailed volunteer email a little later in the week.

Time Trials

Declarations and volunteer slots for Time Trials will open this week. For our new families, Time Trials is a meet-style event that we hold at BSSC where we get the swimmers’ first official times of the season. This year’s Time Trials will take place on Saturday, June 13 at BSSC and will be open to all Destroyers. Middies will not take part in Time Trials.

Each swimmer will swim each stroke. We will start with the 25m Freestyle for 8&unders, followed by 50 freestyle for 9-10s, 11-12s, 13-14s, finishing with 15-18s. We will then proceed to Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly. The coaches will determine if a swimmer will swim all the strokes (e.g., some swimmers may not be ready for the Butterfly).

The goal of Time Trials is to give everyone a chance to swim in racing conditions before our first meet on June 15, and it gives the coaches a starting data point for times for the season. We understand if you cannot attend Time Trials due to other commitments. We will get times for two events at our first B Meet on Monday, June 15. If needed, coaches will time swimmers at practices the following week.

Bowling Prep Rally, June 19

Reminder to sign up now for our first Pep Rally of the Season at Bowl America in Burke! This is open to everyone from Juniors to our oldest Destroyer swimmers. You can sign up on the website here: https://burkestation.swimtopia.com/shop/199090

We’re looking forward to the warmer weather and fewer blue lips during practice as the week goes on. See you on the deck!

- Deirdre, Mike, and Matt