Note from Coach Susan:
Hello Hammerhead swimmers and families!
Well our first meet is less than a week away and I am getting soooo excited! I know some of you might be nervous but just remember your goal is to swim YOUR best time, not worrying about what place you come in. Each week, try to get a new PR (personal record). Here are some reminders / tips for swim meets:
1. Missing a Meet: Each week, I have to submit the line up to the computer operators so they can make the heat sheets no later than Wednesday evenings. It is
VERY important for you to let me know if your swimmer is going to miss a meet! Relays are tons of fun and I try to place as many swimmers as possible in relays. Because we have to have a team of 4, I need to know if anyone is going to miss the meet so I can set the line up.
Please email me at [email protected] at least one week ahead of time if your swimmer is going to miss a meet. For the upcoming meet, please let me know ASAP!
2. Saturday illnesses: I understand there are last minute emergencies (Sat. morning wake ups when swimmers are sick). If you can call or text me asap if this happens, 904-945-6564, it will make things easier so I can substitute swimmers on the relays.
3. Swim meet snacks: The coaches would prefer that you hold the sugary snacks, pixie sticks, etc. until after the meet. We'd rather the swimmers snacked on fruit, nuts, and healthy snacks during the meet. The meets last several hours and the crash from sugar highs don't make for good times.
4. Equipment: Please make sure you bring a back up pair of goggles for your swimmer to each meet. For some reason, when goggles decide to break it's always right before a race! I also suggest a spare cap, just in case your team cap decides to act up.
5. Towels: Your swimmer will be in and out of the water several times: warm ups & their races (2 individual events & 2 relays or 3 individual events and 1 relay) so they may want to dry off in between each one. Therefore an extra towel is always a good idea.
6. Team suits: When the meet is done, I suggest washing your team suit (or any Lycra suits) in cold water only, no soap. Most Lycra suits will hold up much longer if you just throw it in the wash on delicate cycle and plain, cold water.
7. Things to keep busy: Because there can be quite a bit of time in between some events, you may want to bring items to keep your swimmer busy (books, card games, etc.). Just keep an eye on the flip chart for the events being called to the ready bench so they are not late.
8. 9-10 age group relays: The 9-10 age group swims 50 yards (2 laps) for individual races but their relays are only 25 yards (1 lap) per swimmer. I will be following the other teams in the league in setting up the 9-10 age group relays. I'll use the times from their individual 50 yard races to establish the relays. This will give them all additional incentive to get new personal records in their individual events!
9. Relays: If your swimmer is 10 or under, they will only be swimming one lap on the relay. When you see the heat sheet, the relay swimmers will be listed in order #1-4. Number 1 & 3 swimmers will dive off the starting blocks and #2 & 4 swimmers will dive off the other end of the pool. If you are trying to get pictures of your swimmer, this may help you find them a little quicker.
10. *** Sportsmanship *** This is a BIG deal to me and please talk to you swimmer about this. The Hammerheads are known for having great sportsmanship and I want to continue this. Please remind your swimmer (we'll be talking about this in practice this week) to shake the hand of the swimmer in the next lane..... even if that swimmer came in ahead of you! Everyone in the pool is trying their very best so whether you won your heat or missed it by a hair, we want to congratulate everyone for their hard work.
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2026 CHAMPS Meet: Friday: 11 & Up
The Bolles School. 7400 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32217
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