Good Evening Crocs!

I hope you have had a great weekend! It is hard to believe but we are in the home stretch of the season at this point! Remember that the meet this week will take place on Wednesday at our home pool against Colonies and it is the week of July 4th! There will be no morning practice on Friday, July 4 this week due to the holiday. We will do fun practice/donuts on Thursday, July 3 in the morning before doing a fine tuning strokes/turns/starts swim clinic during afternoon practice times. As we prepare for another awesome meet, please read the announcements and reminders below! As always, reach out to me directly if you have any questions at [email protected] or (434)238-0284!

Events

• The events are attached below. It is our second to last meet of the season so yes there are so some swimmers trying new events or strokes- trust your coaches and know that we only put swimmers in events they are ready to rock!
• It is freestyle week so we have a lot more relays at the meet! Remember all relays are tentative and subject to change, please check the relay whiteboard at the meet to confirm the relays. I have made as many relays as I possibly can this week so please recognize that any last minute changes could result in a relay having to be scratched from swimming.
• For 9 and up swimmers, please double check with a coach that you are not on a relay before leaving the meet after individual races are done. It is really sad when I have to tell three swimmers that they won't be able to swim because a swimmer who was on their relay left before the meet was over.

Dive Rules

• GRAL follows the USA swimming dive certification rules for all 10 and under swimmers. Our coaching staff has been working at practice to document everyone’s dive level.
• Some swimmers are only certified to dive off the side, and some swimmers must start in the pool for forward strokes. This is due to safety concerns regarding diving.
• At check in, some swimmers will receive an “O” written on their LEFT ARM. This ensures the officials know the swimmer’s dive level. Those with an O will start from the side of the pool. If your swimmer does not receive an O at check in this is due to them having the ability to dive off the blocks.

Swim Meet Reminders/Announcements-- IMPORTANT!

• Theme: Sports Jerseys for Julia Budzinski 
• 4:30-5:00pm- plan to arrive to Canterbury for positive check in. 
• Check in needs to be completed by 5:30, so if running late and not going to make it by warm-up, please text Lauren at (434)238-0284 so your swimmer is not removed from the swim meet.

Warm-ups:

• 5:00- 5:10- 12 and under Canterbury swimmers warm-up
• 5:10-5:20- 13 and older Canterbury swimmers warm-up
• 5:45 - meet quickly for team cheer and to organize Event #1 Relay ***Don't forget your goggles, towel, water bottle, and cap too :)

Sportsmanship/Support

As a team, we would like to do our best to be positive, welcoming, and supportive to our own team and the Colonies swim team. If possible, please go over these quick reminders with all swimmers so we can show what a great team we have :)
• Cheer on our teammates and be supportive throughout the meet!
• Wait in the water at the end of each race for everyone to finish, as well as give a handshake or high five to at least one lane beside you waiting to get out of the pool.
• Do not write anything on the back or body at meets beyond the shoulder marking for dive rules, and the event numbers on hand/arm.
• Clean up trash throughout the meet even if it's not yours so that we can keep our pool looking nice and so there is less to clean up to do at the end of the meet!
• Help our new/returning swimmers feel comfortable and confident- we are one big family when it comes to swim meets! Get to know others regardless of age and help any swimmer when/if needed!

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns! Go Crocs!

Sincerely,
Coach Lauren