Good evening, Cruisers!

It's time for our first home meet of the season against Burkwood!  As with the last few weeks, this email is packed full of meet information, so please give it a thorough read. 

Meet theme: Surfin' U.S.A.

1. Meet Timeline

4:30pm - 5:00pm: Check-In

If you are going to be late to check-in/the meet or you are suddenly unable to attend, please email me as soon as possible at [email protected]

All swimmers must arrive to check-in with their events (except relays) already written down or memorized.  I will not be able to pull up their events during check-in.  A pdf is attached to this email with all swimmers' events for this week.  Please reference this for event numbers. 

As with the past few weeks, I will be doing check-in and working on relays/adjusting event entries based off of changing attendance, so please save all non-emergency questions until check-in has ended!

5:00pm - 5:20pm: Colonies Warm-Ups

5:00 - 5:10: 10 and under

5:10 - 5:20: 11 and over

All swimmers must arrive behind the blocks for warm ups BEFORE their allotted time. We will start exactly at 5:00pm and 5:10pm. 

5:25pm - 5:35pm: Team cheer at the diving boards

5:40pm: Officials Meeting, including Runners, Starters, Strokes & Turns

5:50pm: Timers Meeting

5:55pm: National Anthem

6:00pm: Meet Start Time

2. Individual Entries and Clerk of Course

All swimmers must arrive to check-in with their events (except relays) already written down or memorized.  Their events will be listed on the attachment to this email. 

The Clerk of Course is located in the baby pool area.  Swimmers MUST go to the Clerk of Course as soon as their event is called.  Please make sure you are listening carefully to the announcer, checking the event board (it will be near the announcer's table!), or keeping track of who is in the pool at all times.  Individual names will not be called to the clerk if your swimmer is missing.  Particularly with relays, if we are missing someone, that means three other swimmers will not be able to participate either. 

Swimmers are not allowed to play in the baby pool while in the Clerk of Course. 

Heat and lane numbers will be given out upon arrival to the Clerk of Course.  Coaches will not have this information at check-in. 

Swimmers who are not participating in the event called to the clerk are not allowed to enter the clerk, nor are parents unless you are assisting with an 8 and under relay.  Only swimmers participating in the called event and coaches!

3. Relays

Relays for 8 and under swimmers will be posted before the beginning of the meet.  Relays for 9-18 year olds will be posted at the completion of 8 and under relays.  Please remember that because of the relay structure, not all swimmers will participate in relays. 

As always, relays are subject to change throughout the course of the meet.  Relays are not "set" until the swimmers are behind the block.  Please check back constantly for updates.  The relay board will be at the coaches table, which will be on the right hand side of the diving well behind the lifeguard stands.  DO NOT leave the meet until you or your swimmer have checked with a coach on whether or not they are participating in a relay.  In the case of an emergency where you have to leave the meet, please notify the coaches as soon as possible.

4. Important Notes

Swim Caps: Please remember that if you are not wearing a Colonies cap and it has the name of another team (ex. NOVA, school teams, etc.) it must be turned inside out so the name is not appearing. 

Body writing/markings: Swimmers are not allowed to have any other writing or tattoos (ex. the Cruiser tattoos) on them other than their events.  The referee has the discretion to disqualify for this rule, and it may be strongly enforced!

Swim shirts: No swim shirts are allowed during competition.

Sportsmanship: Please reiterate to your swimmers the importance of sportsmanship throughout the meet.  This is our first home meet, let's be great hosts!  They have done an amazing job the past few weeks, let's keep it up! :)

Pool Rules: Swimmers and families need to follow all of the pool rules during the meet.  Specifically for swim meets at The Colonies, this means that swimmers are not allowed to be in the pool (particularly the shallow end), on the diving boards, in the diving well or baby pool, or playing with the pool water before, during, or after the meet unless specifically directed by coaching staff or they are actively racing.

Poster Contest: All posters for the poster contest should be brought to Joy Laurence at the start of the swim meet.  Winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd) will be announced at the start of the second half.  Be sure to listen and claim your prize!

See you all tomorrow, and Go Cruisers!

Coach Julia