Riverside Meet June 22

     We are excited about our first home meet at Riverside tomorrow, June 22.  This will be a learning meet for a lot of swimmers (and their parents).  I will be there, along with my staff to try to help you with any questions that you have.  Please be patient as we help try to assist all the first timers.  For those of you who know the drill, bear with me as I try to help everyone understand what happens at a meet.
     Warm-ups will begin around 7:30 am.  Swimmers will be able to get in the water, practice a little, ask questions, and count their strokes for backstrokes with the flags (there are flags about 5 yds from the wall... when the kids see the flags they should count how many strokes it takes them to get to the wall so they don't roll over. Rolling over will disqualify them from the races).
     The meet will start at 8 am.  I will pass out order of event lists tomorrow when you check in.  If your child is interested in doing a relay, they should let me know when they check in and we will try to work a relay out for them.
     I anticipate the meet lasting until around 11:30.  You are free to leave when your child is done with their last event.  Ribbons will be passed out at practice on Monday.  We will ribbon to 6th place.  Please understand that even if your child wins their heat, it may not mean that they won the race, we will have multiple heats per event and the ribbon table official will order them according to times.  I will have participation ribbons on Monday for anyone who doesn't get a ribbon.  Please let me know if your child needs one and I'll get it to them.

Some helpful meet hints for first timers:
-Bring plenty of towels and blankets.  The kids get cold after their races.
-No one is allowed in the pool (even the baby pool) except for the swimmers who are racing.
-Pay attention to the order of events.  If your child misses their race, they miss their race.
-Ask any of the coaches for help if you need it.
-Find a good spot to hang out and then when it is time for your child's race, please come cheer for them near the pool.  It is important to stay out of the way of the officials while you do this so that they can do their job.
-Bring something to keep your kids entertained, they do get bored.  :)
   
We NEED some parent help tomorrow...
#1) Our Team Fundraiser-  At our home meets, we will have a little concessions stand.  The money we earn from doing this helps us to buy extra training equipment that is helpful to use to teach kids good technique.  We plan to buy some new pull bouys and paddles with whatever we earn this year. If you are able to donate things that we can sell at the meet that would be great.  Thing that sell best are donuts, muffins, fruit, fruit snacks, gatorades, water, caprisuns, candy, etc.  Anything is great.

#2) Parent timers- We will need parents to help time.  If you are willing to do this, we would very much appreciate it.  You'll even get a little shade and a drink for helping.  :)  If you are willing to do this, please let me know tomorrow when you check in.

Thanks for all your help!