Helllllooooo Hammerheads!
Well, registration is closed, practices are going great (huge shout out to our amazing Jr. Coaches for all their help!), and we're less than 2 weeks from our first swim meet!! Whoo hoo!!! Several items to note here so please read through. 

Swimsuits: if you haven't yet, please visit the team website and order your Hammerhead suits through the swim outlet site. They arrive pretty quickly but need to jump on it. Black suits are acceptable if you can't get a team suit. 
Caps: have been ordered for new swimmers. For some returning swimmers ordering personalized caps, there was an error and while we will have new caps for, they won't be personalized. We're very sorry and we'll make it up to you.  I still have a few pairs of goggles for sale if anyone still needs to get them. 
RSVP'ing for Meets: I can't tell you how important this is as it allows me to set the relays for meets AND allows me to focus on the swimmers instead of changes on meet morning. 
I have to turn entries in several days ahead of time.  Remember all of our computer operators are volunteers and are juggling home/family/work.   ***I need RSVP's for each regular meet no later than Tuesday morning so I can work on entries (I work at school during the summer so need time)!  If you know you have summer travel plans, you can RSVP now.  If you think you might miss but aren't sure, respond and select "no relays".  Your swimmer will be entered in individuals only and those are easier to "scratch" if you miss.  It's difficult to shift around relays!  RSVP'ING IS A BIG DEAL! It's really important.  (*Keep reading, more important info!)

After logging onto Hammerhead site:

https://heritagelandinghammerheads.swimtopia.com/

1. Select Swim Meets from the Schedule tab pull down menu. (“Meet Entry”can also be found on the home page for upcoming meets
2. Select Meet Entry for the desired meet.
3. Below the name(s) of your swimmer select Edit.
4. Select Not Attending from the pull down beside each swimmer.
5. Select Save

Please complete this process by 8:00 am on the Tuesday prior to each scheduled meet.

Meet Morning Absences: Things happen and if your swimmer wakes up sick a day or the night before a meet, please send me a text.   904-945-6564 (save this in your phone Coach Susan or Susan Lucas)  Text me anytime and I'll get it when I wake up.  Our computer operators have a PILE of heat sheets, lane timer sheets, and other things to print so as soon as you know, let us know.
Weather: this week looks good but remember if there is lightning in the area (I use WeatherBug - if you go to the lightning alerts, you can see how close it is). Storms usually pass and if we can get 1/2 of practice in, we'll wait it out. If we won't get 1/2 of practice, I'll call it.  I will never let a swimmer bike/walk home in a storm... they can stay with me until they get a ride home/storm passes.  (*Are you still reading?  I'm not done yet! LOL)

Mock Meet: is Monday, May 13th during regular practice times.  Your swimmer only needs to come at their regular time.  This lets the coaches see who is legal in what strokes, get times for new swimmers or swimmers who have aged up to 50 yards, and lets our volunteers make sure everything is working correctly for home meets.  PLEASE RSVP FOR THE MOCK MEET ASAP (if you will miss) before Thursday night !!!!  Follow directions above.  On Monday, please be sure to attend the practice for YOUR age group (whatever age you will be on June 1) even if the coaches have asked you to practice with a different group. 
Volunteer Sign Ups: Our swim meets, and team, can't run without you!  Peggy will send a volunteer reminder update so you can mark your days.  Please, please, please make sure you attend your sign up spot or find a replacement and let the board know ( [email protected] ) so you do not get charged.  (*I promise I'm almost done, keep reading)

Practices: We have limited pool time so coaches are working with swimmers on learning the strokes, correct technique, and starts and turns.  That means distance, endurance, and stamina need to be practiced at other times.  You can almost always find a teammate at the pool and swim some extra laps together! (you can practice your swim parent duties also by yelling "flip turns" and "get off that wall" while they practice!  You need to build stamina, too!) 

Sportsmanship & Dedication: Please read this to your swimmers...  Hi Hammerheads, I'm super impressed with how our sportsmanship has been showing through this season!  Already many of you are learning to adjust your lanes, who goes first, welcome new swimmers, and high five lanemates when you finish a set! Way to go! Keep it up and remember we are ALL Hammerheads and part of a big, happy family in the pool!  When you come to practice, remember your family paid a lot of money to join the team.  They will be coming to 4 hour swim meets and want to see you swim for just a few seconds!  (Yes, in swimming the less time you see your child swim, the better it is... it means they were FAST!)  Please use practice time to listen to coaches and give it your BEST effort!

OK, I think that's it for now... thank you for reading ALL of it!!!  Save my number in your phone and we'll send more information about Monday's mock meet this weekend!  

Goooooooooooo Hammerheads!

Coach Susan

904-945-6564