Good Evening Crocs!

We couldn't be more excited for our first meet this week at home against Ashland! As we get ready for Wednesday, I have a few announcements and reminders. Please read below and reach out to me directly if you have any questions!

Events

• The events are attached below. Please let me know ASAP if you have any questions or concerns.
• NEW this year Meet 1, 3, and 5 will be the freestyle relays and 100 Individual Medley swims per league decision.
• All relays are tentative and subject to change, please check the relay whiteboard on deck at the meet to confirm the relays.
• For 9 and up swimmers, please double check with a coach that you are not on a relay if you plan to leave the meet early.

League Rules

• The league requires us to submit a request for any swimmer who is going to wear a rash guard/swim shirt or anything beyond a normal swimsuit at meets. Please email me at [email protected] or text me at (434)238-0284 ASAP if this is something that you would like for me to have documented with the league for your swimmer. 
• The same goes with any other special requests due to swimmer flexibility, development, etc. If you have any concerns, please reach out to me directly so I can support and file any paperwork with the league as needed. 

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, one of our awesome coaches will be stationed outside to help provide some swimmers with either an “X” or an “O” written on the top of their LEFT shoulder. This ensures the officials know the swimmer’s dive level. Those with an X will start from inside the pool, and those with an O will start from the side of the pool. If your swimmer does not receive an X or an O at check in this is due to them having the ability to dive off the blocks.

Reminder of new Practice Schedule for this Week

Starting tomorrow morning, we will be offering two practice time options! Please don't feel like you have to do double up, but swimmers are always welcome to come swim each week as much as they would like :)

Morning Practice (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday) 

THURSDAY morning practice (DONUTS AND FUN TIME after swim meets!)

• 9:00 – 10:00am 11 & Older Crocs
• 10:00 – 11:00am 10 & Under Crocs

Afternoon Practice (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday). NO Wednesday or Friday Afternoons!

**Note: Thursday will be a Strokes, Turns, and Technique Clinic- our first one on June 4th will be focused on all things breastroke!

Swim Meet Reminders/Announcements

• The meet theme will be Hawaiian themed!
• 4:30 - CRA swimmers and volunteers please begin to arrive for positive check in. There will be a table set up out front where you will check in to let us know you are at the pool. Check in needs to be completed by 5:30 at the absolute latest, so if you are running late and miss warm-up, please text Lauren at (434)238-0284 so your swimmer is not removed from the swim meet.
  5:00- 5:20- Canterbury Warm Ups
  5:45 - meet for a quick team meeting/cheer then get ready for 8 and under relays!
• Please be sure to bring all necessary items as plenty of water to keep your swimmer (and yourself) hydrated.

Sportsmanship/Support

As a team, we would like to do our best to be positive, welcoming, and supportive to our own team and the Ashland 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 while waiting in the pool.
• Do not write or put anything on the back or body at meets beyond the shoulder marking for dive rules, and the event numbers on hand/arm. (this means NO body glitter!)
• Clean up trash throughout the meet even if it's not yours so that we can keep our pool looking nice and have less work 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 and have lots of new swimmers! 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