Breakers-

Practice starts in less than a week (April 15th) and we cannot be more excited! I'm hoping the weather cooperates and we have a fun first week. Coach Anna will be there to start us off. My 6 and under group, please don't arrive before 4:20. Coaches are coming directly from school and need to get in to the parking lot, change into their suits, and put lane ropes in before practice begins at 4:30. Here comes the first novella of the season!

All parents are welcome to drop off their students for practice, but please be back to pick them up on time for dismissal. 

A few reminders: 

*If you elected to pay by check, please either drop it in my mailbox this week or bring it to the first practice you attend (I know there are still some sports going on that might interfere with practice days).

*DO NOT block traffic on the main road, circle back around if you cannot pull in 

*DO NOT park anywhere in the lot except lined parking spaces. If you do not have a handicap sticker/tag do not park/wait in the handicap spots. We do have people that need them. You may not wait by the curve (yellow painted curb) for your swimmer, this blocks traffic from those coming and going and makes a huge traffic mess that I have to get nasty about (I don't like to get nasty, but I will if we cannot control ourselves).

*Be respectful of our neighbors and park on one side of the street only, avoid blocking driveways, mailboxes, street/corners, etc. I have high expectations that our team is respectful of all who live in the neighborhood and use common sense when it comes to pick up, drop off, and parking. I do encourage our neighbors to call the police if you cannot follow simple rules of the road.

*Swimmers should arrive in their suits, bring a towel and goggles (coaches do not supply those), and use the bathroom before arrival. I know our littles have smaller bladders. Please try to empty those before they get here to avoid missing half of practice getting into and out of wet suits.

*I can guarantee you there will be tears. It's okay. We push through the tears and build their confidence to be independent swimmers. Yes, the heater is on but it is NOT sauna temp. We watch the weather and try to keep kids in the water and not in the cool breeze.

*MOST IMPORTANTLY - let the coaches coach! If your swimmer is in the water trying to listen to the coaches and you are undermining their position by coaching yourself then you will be asked to leave the pool deck. You've paid an arm and a leg to swim for us, let them do their job. I've asked our coaches to keep eyes on swimmers at all times so please don't distract them with conversations during practice. Wait until after or send me an email. Most days I will be on deck by 5:00 (coming straight from work) and am happy to have conversations with parents who have questions. I'm still in the middle of coaching middle school golf (for those who know me....don't laugh, it was my inability to say no that got me in this position too) so I will be in and out until April 29th.

*If you have not done it yet, please download the Swimtopia app to your phone. Log in is the same as when you registered. I send cancellations and important quick notifications via that app. Include any nannies, babysitters, relatives who might need to know about cancellations.

*We swim in rain as long as we can see the bottom of the pool. We do NOT swim in thunderstorms. This applies to practices and meets.

*****SPEAKING OF MEETS*******

Our schedule is on the website AND job positions are posted. If you are unsure what a job entails, click on it and read the description. Families are expected to work 5 half shifts....that's per family, not per swimmer. For those who do not work their shifts I've built in the $250 donation for making others do your job.

I'm sure there is more that I haven't thought of yet, but my returning parents do a great job of reminding me as the season goes on. Please also take note that picture day is on the calendar of events as well as the county meet. Drink donation signup will be coming shortly.

Thank you for reading through and not falling asleep (more than once at least). I miss my Breakers and can't wait to see you soon!!!!!

Jen