Wyoming Seadragon Families,

Hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend! We’re excited to get things started this week with practices. From now on, you can expect an email each Sunday with all that you need for the week. Any other communication during the week will be timely announcements (weather and time related updates), messages about volunteering or messages from coaches. If you happen to delete the email, this will always show up as “News” each week on our website.

Here’s your checklist for the week with details below:

• SwimTopia – Check/update family contact information and download the app
• Practices
• Team Suits – available to pick up on Tuesday
• Sign up for Volunteer Slots in SwimTopia
• Picture Day
• Return Yard Signs
• Upcoming Swim Meets
• Jr. Seadragon Evaluations

SwimTopia – Team Website:

Bookmark our team website: https://wyomingseadragons.swimtopia.com/ and be sure to log in and check/update family contact information. All Swim Meets will be available for you to declare your swimmers to attend the meets for the season. You can also download the SwimTopia app to have what you need on your phone. Issues with weather will be sent out through the app and the email.

Practices:

What do your swimmers need for practices? A great attitude, suit, goggles, towel and sunscreen. A swim cap is optional. We ask that swimmers arrive 10 minutes before their practice slot and check in at the first patio table on their way to the pool with Coach Jen and the rest of the Coaching team. They should make a habit of doing this every day.

A couple of notes so that practice can run smoothly and effectively:

• We ask that parents keep to the upper level of the swimming pool deck and reserve the bottom deck for coaches and swimmers. This will help minimize distractions and allow the coaches to do what they do best, coach!
• If you do have questions for the coaches, either approach them before or after practice, but keep in mind that most are transitioning to the next practice. It is advisable that you send an email to [email protected]. When using email, please label the subject with your swimmer’s name and their age group. It is an expectation that coaches will respond in 48 hours, if not sooner. It’s helpful to notify coaches if you are planning on being away for vacation for an extended time, or ill. *Special note for this first week of practices, if you are away for vacation or other reasons, please let the coaches know.
• If your swimmer is also a camp participant through the Wyoming Rec Center, please be sure to check in with the Camp each time you bring your swimmer to the Rec Center. You can drop off at Camp and a Camp Counselor will take your swimmer to and from practice. They will have a Seadragon roster and will know which group your swimmer is in. You can also drop off at the pool, but you will still need to go around and notify camp that your swimmer is here that day. Make notes to camp when you check in for any special communication, i.e. your swimmer needs help getting on deck for the home swim meet, someone else will be picking up to transport to a swim meet.
• Learn more about our awesome coaches through our social media pages here and here. Follow us as we will tips for meets there as well. A few of the Seadragons Parent Board will be around to help answer questions on deck. Please ask your questions so we can assist you.
• Every Friday is a fun practice for the kids. Coaches will have skill building and fun challenges for all swim levels.
• Something fun - During these first two weeks of practices, swimmers will get a vote during each practice they attend for the upcoming swim meet themes.

Team Suits and Swim Caps

• If you ordered your Team Suits at kick-off they will be available to pick up at the first week of practice near the swimmer check-in. *Note purchasing a team suit is not required. We only ask that swimmers use a plain navy or black suit for swim meets.
• Every swimmer should have a Seadragon latex swim cap. We will provide a Seadragon swim cap to each swimmer. If you ordered a personalized silicone cap they will arrive in approximately 2 weeks.

Family volunteer requirements and opportunities

It takes many volunteers to run our swim meets and various events. Each family must sign up for 4 volunteer worker positions (3 during regular season and one at champs) at one of our home meets, away meets, or team events. Lisa Schmid will be at the practice from 6-7 on Tuesday and Wednesday to help families with signing up for volunteering. Volunteer slots will open on Wednesday morning at 7am online: https://wyomingseadragons.swimtopia.com/swim_meets

There are many kinds of volunteer spots available from working at the concession stand, timing, to helping the younger swimmers get to their events. We know the families with younger swimmers have their hands full so we’ve designated specific volunteer slots for Junior Seadragons only families. Thanks to those who signed up during our Kick-Off. Questions? Please contact Lisa Schmid.

Picture Day

Picture day is Friday, May 30th. Wear your team suit or any blue or black suit. Individual pictures will start at 8:30. At 9:15 we will take our large group photo and then do more individual and small group photos. So get your friends together and RSVP here. A shared album with all photos will be provided for all Seadragon families. Look for the link next week. Special thanks to our team photographer, Lindsay Holliday for lending us her time and talent!

Return Yard Signs

If you have a yard sign, please return it this week and we will store for next year.

Jr. Seadragons

We are excited to see you all this week for your evaluation. Please only come to practice on the day of your evaluation. If you haven’t signed up, do so here. Fill out the form here. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before and check in at the pool.

Then make your way with your swimmer to the main pool area. Check in with a parent volunteer to receive a lane assignment. Parents, you can watch from the kiddie pool area, but cannot remain on deck. Your swimmer will be assessed by the coaching staff.

Later that evening you will receive an email to let you know if your swimmer will stay in Jrs, move up to 8 and unders or that are not ready for swim team just yet.

If your swimmer stays in Juniors or moves to 8 and unders, there is nothing that you need to do. If your swimmer is not ready for swim team, we will notify the Rec Center to process your refund; however, it is always a good idea to follow-up with that. If you are unable to make it to your evaluation, please notify the coaches asap at [email protected] We will notify your via the app and email if there are any changes due to weather.

Upcoming Swim Meets

• Mark Your Family Calendar for all of the upcoming Swim Meets and declare your swimmer for the meets they can participate in.
• Our first exhibition/practice/Intersquad meet is on Saturday, June 7. This will be a fun and competitive meet and will help us get some idea of times to start the season. We will go slow and explain everything. The deadline to declare is Wednesday, June 4.
  • Swimmer arrival and check in 7:15 am
  • Warm-ups 7:30am
  • Meet Start: 8:15am
  • Appx end time: 11am
• Please be sure to declare your swimmer (attending OR not attending) for each of the swim meets by the deadline. It makes it difficult for the coaches if they have to follow up with families after the deadline to make their line up for the meet in a timely manner.

• If something comes up and you cannot make it to a swim meet that you have already declared your swimmer for, please let the coaches know ASAP. This is especially important because of relays. If one swimmer does not show up for a relay, there will be three other disappointed swimmers that can’t swim the relay.
• Special note for Junior Seadragon families – your swimmer will not participate in swim meets until they receive special instructions from Coach Jen when they are invited to start swimming in meets. You are always welcome to attend the meets to see what they are like and cheer on your teammates.

A look at the week – Week 1: May 27

Tuesday, May 27

• Practices begin!
  • 6-7pm: 8 and unders, 9-10;
  • 7-8pm: 11 and over
  • Jr. Seadragons: swim evaluations
• Ask the Parent Board your questions and get help signing up for volunteer slots.

Wednesday, May 28

• Practice
  • 6-7pm: 8 and unders, 9-10;
  • 7-8pm: 11 and over
  • Jr. Seadragons: swim evaluations
• Deadline to register for the Intersquad Meet
• Volunteer Sign Ups open on SwimTopia

Thursday, May 29

• Practice
  • 6-7pm: 8 and unders, 9-10;
  • 7-8pm: 11 and over
  • Jr. Seadragons: swim evaluations

Friday, May 30

• Modified Practice Schedule
  • 11-12 year olds: 7:30am - 8:30am
  • 13 & Over: 7:00am - 8:30am
  • No practice for 8 and unders, 9/10 and Jrs.

• Picture Day
  • Individual pictures start at 8:30
  • Big Group Picture at 9:15
  • More individual/small groups after as needed

On the Horizon

June 2nd: Morning practices start

June 4th: Officials training at Sharonville Rec Center RSVP here

June 5th: Sugar Shack by the Track Dine and Donate

June 6th: Officials Training @ Wyoming Police Station RSVP here

June 7th: Intersquad Meet

Date TBD: Parent Q&A Zoom Sessions