Dear Canterbury Swim Team,

On behalf of the entire coaching staff, we could not be more excited for this upcoming season! The team looked excellent in practice this week and thoroughly impressed all the coaches. While the coaching staff is still adjusting to its new roles, we’ve already begun to implement several key changes in practice to improve every swimmer’s skill level and overall swim team experience. Hopefully, your swimmers are reacting positively to the changes so far!

Looking forward to next week, I have a couple of reminders/announcements:

• There is NO practice today, or on any Friday until HCPS closes
• There is NO practice on Monday, May 27^th in observance of Memorial Day
• There IS practice on Tuesday, May 28^th as normal
• Our Team Pizza/Pool Party is on Wednesday May 29^th from 6:00-8:00 pm. Practices will be adjusted as follows:
  • 4:30-5:00 pm: First-Year Swimmers as normal
  • 5:00-6:00 pm: All Returning Swimmers, ages 5 to 18. Yes, we anticipate a crowded practice, but currently plan to play the swimming version Apples to Apples Junior.
  • 6:00-8:00 pm: Pizza/Pool Party! Please see Jennifer Dunn’s email for more information and the link to the SignUpGenius.
• “Evaluation” Day for our first-year swimmers is Thursday, May 30^th during 4:30 practice. The coaching staff will either recommend swimmers for the team or our Hatchlings swim lesson program, which is designed to prepare swimmers for the team. Swimmers will be evaluated on the following standards:
  • Swimmers must complete a 25 freestyle in under 70 seconds independently. Swimmers are expected to use full freestyle strokes and not “doggy paddle.” Breaks on the wall and lane line are permitted if swimmer isn’t using them to propel forward. This ensures all swimmers understand sufficient freestyle technique and will be able to legally swim a 25 freestyle in a meet.
  • Swimmers must complete a 25 backstroke or backstroke kick in under 90 seconds without flipping over or going vertical in the water. This ensures all swimmers know how to stay afloat on their backs, a necessary skill for backstroke.
  • Swimmers who do not meet these standards will be recommended for Hatchlings. Hatchlings is designed to prepare swimmers for the swim team and graduates an average of 5 swimmers per year to the team. As soon as a Hatchlings swimmer passes the “stroke” level, he or she may join the team.
  • This policy ensures the safety of all swimmers and allows the coaching staff to focus on improving swimmers’ technique during practice instead of teaching basic swim skills taught in Hatchlings.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at [email protected], thank you!

That is all from me, have a great holiday weekend!

Go Crocs!

Very Respectfully,

Coach Jack