Welcome Waverunners to the 2019 Summer Season!

We are excited to welcome back Head Coach Scott McIntyre (Lead coach 11 and up) and Assistant Coach Abby Swain (lead coach for 10 and under/ non-swimmers).  (We will work on getting their pictures up on the website soon)

This email is going to pack in a lot of information! I’ll put information that returning families are most interested in at the top… for new families, hang in for the entire message as first timer key info will follow.

Practices will begin on Monday, May 13. Practices will run after school Monday- Friday until May 21. No practice will be held on Wednesday, May 22. Morning practices will begin on Thursday, May 23. We will have Friday practice on weeks where there are no meets on Thursday. Practice Times are below:

AFTERNOON PRACTICES

High School: 3:30pm-4:15pm

*Elementary School A: 4:15pm-5:00pm

Elementary School B- 5:00pm-5:45pm

Middle School 5:45pm-6:30pm

*For elementary school, attend the practice that best fits your schedule. Elementary A tends to be less crowded

MORNING PRACTICES (by age group)

7:30a-8:15 ages 13 and up

8:15a-9  ages 11-12

9a-9:45  ages 9-10

9:45a-10:30  ages 7-8

9:45a-10:15   ages 6 and under (stronger swimmers can stay until 10:30)

10:30-11 Non-swimmers/lessons

Communication: We have a NEW remind 101 group. Text the message @d77hh39 to 81010 to join or click www.remind.com/join/d77hh39 Please also LIKE us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/watertonwaverunners/

We use this for timely communications like last minute practice cancellations or communications during lighting delays.

I (Kari Scull) will be attempt to be all most of the practices the first week to help answer questions and welcome new families. I will be wearing previous seasons neon team shirts, so you can easily spot me 😊 Please come introduce yourself! (If any of the other key volunteers have their neon shirts available, please consider wearing it one day to help identify yourself to new families.)

For new families, WELCOME!! Summer swim can seem overwhelming, but we are filled with veteran families who are happy to answer your questions! Swimming is an individual sport with a team atmosphere. Summer league is recreational with a wide variety of skill sets. Everyone is welcome! We don’t concentrate on what place a swimmer finished but how they did compared to their previous best! It is all about developing swimmers who enjoy the sport and helping them becoming proficient in a necessary life skill. If they decide to pursue swimming beyond summer league GREAT! We’ll be happy to provide information on area programs.

Meet Schedule including County Championship is on our website. We will open RSVP and volunteer sign ups after practices begin (more on that below for new members.) Fun Fridays are also on the schedule. (also explained below)

Unaccompanied swimmers: per Waterton Pool regulations all children must be accompanied at the pool. Swimmers are not to be left unattended while waiting for practice. In the interest of safety, swimmers are only to practice with their specific group.

Attendance: We understand summer brings vacations! There is no attendance requirement. The more a swimmer practices the better they will perform. We ask that your RSVP when requested so that relays can be created.

Swimmer Ability: Not sure if your swimmer should be in lessons or team practice? If your swimmer can safely be in the water unaccompanied, swim about half a lap of freestyle (front crawl) they are welcome to come to afternoon practice so that Coach Scott can evaluate them. Swimmers progress very quickly with daily practice! Coaches have the final say if a swimmer will participate in lessons or team practice. Its possible to move up during the season. Swimmers in lessons will have the option to swim the “bubble” heat prior to our meets. This can be coach assisted swim, it’s a great way to build confidence! (This will be explained more once morning lessons begin.)

Equipment: Team swimmers need to have a quality pair of goggles. Coach likes Speedo Vanquisher (or Vanquisher Jr.)

Each team member will also receive a latex team swim cap for meets. Its good practice for swimmers to also wear a cap at practice. You may want to consider picking up an additional cap. Latex caps are the most inexpensive but also can tear easily. Silicone caps are sturdier but have less give and are more costly.

Team Suits are not required. Swimmers should have a competition style suit that fits snug. Suits will loosen when in the water. Most boys choose the knee length jammer suit but speedo style brief is also acceptable. Our team suit is black with blue/white wave, if possible, please try to complement.

Goggles, Caps and Suits can be purchased at local sporting goods stores (Dick’s, Academy) or at SwimAtlanta shop (Sugarloaf and 316).

Meet RSVP/Volunteers we will send out directions to respond about meet attendance and for volunteer duty sign ups. We ask that EVERY swimmer respond so that Coach can accurately create the meet entries. We are required to submit our entries about 4 days prior to the meet. Swimmers who don’t accurately respond on their attendance can cause relays to be canceled or prevent other swimmers from participating in a specific event.

If your swimmer will be participating in the meet it is expected your family will cover 1 volunteer shift (1/2 meet). We will provide job descriptions and directions for sign up once practices start. It takes about 40 volunteers to run each meet. We currently have right around 50 families total. Each family must work a minimum of 4 shifts per season.

Fun Fridays: from 10a-11am on Fridays after a Thursday meet, we will host FUN FRIDAY! Its a time for swimmers to come collect their ribbons from the meet the night before and have fun. All swimmers must be accompanied by adult. Coaches will not supervise.

Weather: we practice and hold meets in the rain unless lightning is present. Please consider joining our Remind text group and LIKE us on Facebook for last minute communications.

If you read this to the end… I wish I could offer you a prize 😉 I do offer my thanks!

Kari Scull

Waverunners Council Representative