Let’s try this again.  PLEASE bear with me and read through to the end!!  Both new and seasoned parents.

A MEET this Saturday, June 23rd

• Where: Edsall Park Pool, 5505 Montgomery St, Springfield, VA 22151.
• Team Area: In the back grassy area, on the right side. It is not shaded, so we will bring the 2 team popup tents.
• Swimmer arrival: 8:00am
• Neptunes warmups: 8:20am sharp!
• Official start time:  9:00am
• End time: roughly 11:30am

Who is attending the swim meet?

**See the attached listing of swimmer entries. Also check the website, under the swim meet event, for an attachment.

What to bring?

• swimsuit & goggles: teamsuit or we recommend a solid black or blue suit. No other teams writing/name/logo on the swimsuits or swimcaps.
• chairs and towels (2?) to sit on in the grassy team area
• sunblock & bug spray
• small healthy snacks: preferably protein, fruit, crackers/cereal. We ask that kids don’t fill up on heavy foods and sweet treats BEFORE they swim. And remember to eat a healthy breakfast before you get to the pool!
• WATER!!
• new team tshirts!  Please wear your new team tshirts!!  But remember: label them so you don’t lose them!

Weather?

• Each pool has different rules. If we have storms, we will follow Edsall Park’s pool rules. Usually we try to wait out a passing storm if possible. Cancelations will be determined by both teams. So to receive timely updates ...
• PLEASE sign up for the new REMIND app (Twitter is not working well for us.) To sign up for text messages, text @nfneptunes to 81010. You will then be prompted to respond with your name, and you’ll be signed up! A Remind app is also available, but you do not need it to receive text message notifications.

Who swims when?

**You can find more detailed information in our Team Handbook, but at a quick glance, the swim events run in this order. Freestyle, Back, Breast, Butterfly, age specific relays, mixed age relays. From youngest to oldest, alternating boys then girls. Example: 8U boys freestyle, 8U girls freestyle, 9-10 boys free, 9-10 girls free, and so on …

Still need VOLUNTEERS:

• If your child is swimming in the A meet, PLEASE consider volunteering. We have the following spots still open. (2 Marshal shifts, 1 Timer, 2 Relay Take Off Judges) New families can work these. Job descriptions are attached to this email and also located on the website.  READ THE JOB DESCRIPTIONS!
• If volunteering on the deck, please wear WHITE top and NAVY BLUE bottoms. No words or team name on the shirts.
• Also please remember that it is important that volunteers remain IMPARTIAL, so (sadly) we discourage cheering for your kids (when working the positions of: Timers, Stroke & Turn, Clerk of Course, etc).

Etiquette:

• PARENTS – it is VERY important that once the kids arrive to the swimmers team area, they become part of the team and you allow the coaches to instruct them. Please enjoy the swim meet from the spectator area or from your volunteer position. It is frowned upon to enter any official deck area (For example:  Clerk of Course which is where they get all of the swimmers ready for each event – it is a very busy area, Timers – which requires focus and attention, areas near the Referee & Stroke & Turn judges, etc). 
• PLEASE do not approach your kids when they are prepping for their race or immediately after they exit the pool. We want each swimmer to finish their race and immediately report in with their coach on the swim deck. They then can see you and/or walk back to the team area.
• PLEASE do not remove your kids from the team area without checking with a coach. To ensure a timely meet, we need to know where the kids are at all times.
• Do not allow kids to go into parking lots and non-swim areas without an adult. This is for their safety!
• Parents are not allowed to sit with their children in the team area. We understand that you may need to visit your kids to supply snacks, reapply sunblock, etc. But we ask that the visits are short. We understand that kids will come and visit you in the spectator area, but we ask that you don’t let them linger. They really need to be with the team throughout the swim meet.
• CHEER AND SUPPORT EVERYONE on the team. This is the very first swim event for many kids, and old hat for others, but a very exciting time nonetheless.
• When the swim meet is underway, PLEASE make sure you are quiet when races are about to start. The Referee and Starter need to announce events, and prepare swimmers. And swimmers need to hear the starter bell. This is very important for our kids success in the pool.
• And lastly - REMEMBER:  WE ARE THE VISITING TEAM!!  We need to be respectful of each other and our opponents.  We need to speak kindly, pick up our trash, and leave things better than when we arrived at their pool.  "Please" and "thank you" go a long way.  Win or lose, we want to be remembered as a team with excellent sportsmanship!

Did you make it to the bottom of this email and still have questions?  Email me.

Excited for our first swim meet.  And SUPER excited for our first B meet at HOME on Monday, where we ALL swim TOGETHER!!  Minis too!!

Tyler Wyllie (Team Rep)