June 3rd Mock Meet, Pre-Meet Information
June 2nd
Hi Porpoises!
We hope your children enjoyed their first week of practices despite the less-than-ideal weather!
Our Intrasquad Mock Meet will be held on Tuesday, June 3rd, at the Park Village Pool. The purpose of the mock meet is to test our systems before our first official meet, to train volunteers, to introduce kids to the meet format, and to get initial seed times that we will use for seeding future meets and as a baseline to improve upon this season. We will also be looking closely at stroke technique, including reasons for disqualification, which the coaches will incorporate into future practice drills. We understand that traditional schools have testing this week, and our goal will be to run this meet efficiently. We'll still have some fun on deck, but the future dual meets will bring more energy and enthusiasm.
Here's what you need to know!
Parking:
There is no parking on the north side of Park Village Drive. Once the lots fill up, please park on the pool side of Park Village Drive only - this makes it easier for emergency vehicles to get through.
Arrival:
All swimmers/parents/guests should enter through the main gate. Please plan to arrive by 4:45. We will begin swimmer check-in and t-shirt distribution at 4:30. When you arrive, please go to the RED tent, which will be located on the back deck at the base of the stairs to the clubhouse. Here, you'll get your team shirts, and we'll check in your swimmer. All swimmers will get their name & age written on their arms to make things easier for the Kid Pushers and the Clerks of Course.
Important: Swimmers who do not check-in by 5:30 will be removed from the meet and not permitted to swim - UNLESS we've heard from you by 5:30 (please include ETA). Coach Evan & I will both check our emails at 5:30 before we scratch a swimmer. Once they are scratched, they will not be re-added.
Swim Cap Delay:
There's been a delay at the printer for the custom PV swim caps, even though I ordered them over a month ago. The company has committed to delivering them before the first official meet. We plan to distribute them at the June 10th meet, or before if possible. I'm sorry for the delay. Any cap may be worn during the mock meet - we will not DQ swimmers for this at the mock meet.
Team Photo:
The team photo will be taken promptly at 5:00. Please make sure your swimmer is checked in before 5:00 so they can be in the picture! Warm-Ups: Warm-ups will be led by the assistant coaches. Warm-ups will begin right after the team photo, with 10 & under swimmers warming up first, and 11+ swimmers warming up second. Swimmers 12 & under should find their kid pusher as soon as warm-ups are over (the kid pushers will be looking for your kids too!). Swimmers 13 & up are responsible for getting themselves to the starting blocks.
Volunteers:
If you are volunteering, please check in at the gazebo just inside the main entrance to the pool. (Where the lifeguards often sit during breaks.) All volunteers (except meet cleanup) must check in before 5:30 or your spot will be given away. Please check in at or before the time listed for your position in SwimTopia. If we can get everyone and everything in place, we may try to start the mock meet at 5:45-5:50 (dual meets will always start at 6).
Order of Events:
The general order of events will be the same at every meet. Events will be in order of youngest to oldest with boys swimming before girls in each age group. Events will be run in this order:
* Medley Relay
* Freestyle
* Backstroke
* Breaststroke
* Butterfly
Here's what you need to know!
Parking:
There is no parking on the north side of Park Village Drive. Once the lots fill up, please park on the pool side of Park Village Drive only - this makes it easier for emergency vehicles to get through.
Arrival:
All swimmers/parents/guests should enter through the main gate. Please plan to arrive by 4:45. We will begin swimmer check-in and t-shirt distribution at 4:30. When you arrive, please go to the RED tent, which will be located on the back deck at the base of the stairs to the clubhouse. Here, you'll get your team shirts, and we'll check in your swimmer. All swimmers will get their name & age written on their arms to make things easier for the Kid Pushers and the Clerks of Course.
Important: Swimmers who do not check-in by 5:30 will be removed from the meet and not permitted to swim - UNLESS we've heard from you by 5:30 (please include ETA). Coach Evan & I will both check our emails at 5:30 before we scratch a swimmer. Once they are scratched, they will not be re-added.
Swim Cap Delay:
There's been a delay at the printer for the custom PV swim caps, even though I ordered them over a month ago. The company has committed to delivering them before the first official meet. We plan to distribute them at the June 10th meet, or before if possible. I'm sorry for the delay. Any cap may be worn during the mock meet - we will not DQ swimmers for this at the mock meet.
Team Photo:
The team photo will be taken promptly at 5:00. Please make sure your swimmer is checked in before 5:00 so they can be in the picture! Warm-Ups: Warm-ups will be led by the assistant coaches. Warm-ups will begin right after the team photo, with 10 & under swimmers warming up first, and 11+ swimmers warming up second. Swimmers 12 & under should find their kid pusher as soon as warm-ups are over (the kid pushers will be looking for your kids too!). Swimmers 13 & up are responsible for getting themselves to the starting blocks.
Volunteers:
If you are volunteering, please check in at the gazebo just inside the main entrance to the pool. (Where the lifeguards often sit during breaks.) All volunteers (except meet cleanup) must check in before 5:30 or your spot will be given away. Please check in at or before the time listed for your position in SwimTopia. If we can get everyone and everything in place, we may try to start the mock meet at 5:45-5:50 (dual meets will always start at 6).
Order of Events:
The general order of events will be the same at every meet. Events will be in order of youngest to oldest with boys swimming before girls in each age group. Events will be run in this order:
* Medley Relay
* Freestyle
* Backstroke
* Breaststroke
* Butterfly
* Medley Relay
Announcements will be made when it's time for each group to get to the blocks. Swimmers 12 & under should find their kid pushers who will help them get into the right lanes. If we can't find your swimmer, they may miss their event. Missed events will not be made up.
Please check in with a coach before leaving for the evening.
TSA Meet Rules:
* All pool rules apply - lifeguards will be on deck to help enforce the rules. This includes NO GLASS on the pool deck.
* ALL TSA events are alcohol-free. Thank you for your cooperation.
* No logos from other teams may be worn at an official TSA event. Please do not wear a cap or suit from TAC/RSA/YOTA/MOR or from another team. We will waive this rule at the mock meet, but at the dual meets your swimmer will be DQed.
* No one may be in the pool during meets except the swimmers - no exceptions, not even for the baby pool, and not even to dangle their legs in the deep end. Swimmers may not be in the water unless they are actively warming up or racing. This allows the lifeguards to focus on the active races.
Sportsmanship:
An important part of any sport is learning to be a good sport. We expect all swimmers to cheer for and support their teammates, regardless of speed or ability. Bad sportsmanship will not be tolerated at the mock meet or the dual meets. We'd appreciate the parents' support of these expectations.
Announcements will be made when it's time for each group to get to the blocks. Swimmers 12 & under should find their kid pushers who will help them get into the right lanes. If we can't find your swimmer, they may miss their event. Missed events will not be made up.
Please check in with a coach before leaving for the evening.
TSA Meet Rules:
* All pool rules apply - lifeguards will be on deck to help enforce the rules. This includes NO GLASS on the pool deck.
* ALL TSA events are alcohol-free. Thank you for your cooperation.
* No logos from other teams may be worn at an official TSA event. Please do not wear a cap or suit from TAC/RSA/YOTA/MOR or from another team. We will waive this rule at the mock meet, but at the dual meets your swimmer will be DQed.
* No one may be in the pool during meets except the swimmers - no exceptions, not even for the baby pool, and not even to dangle their legs in the deep end. Swimmers may not be in the water unless they are actively warming up or racing. This allows the lifeguards to focus on the active races.
Sportsmanship:
An important part of any sport is learning to be a good sport. We expect all swimmers to cheer for and support their teammates, regardless of speed or ability. Bad sportsmanship will not be tolerated at the mock meet or the dual meets. We'd appreciate the parents' support of these expectations.
Coaches & Board Members:
If you need help before or during the meet, the Coaches will be wearing PINK Porpoise shirts with COACH on the back. Before the meet, please address your questions to an assistant coach, as Coach Evan will be working through time-critical pre-meet duties. I will be wearing a BLUE Porpoise shirt. I do not plan to take an official job at the mock meet so I can float around and help where needed. April will be acting as TSA rep - the TSA rep is responsible for making sure we follow all TSA rules. Between the coaches, April, and me, we should be able to answer any questions that arise. Ask around if you haven't met us yet - someone will be able to point us out.
Mock Meet Differences:
There are a few differences between Mock Meets and Dual Meets. * No ribbons will be distributed at or after the Mock Meet. (I promise there are lots of ribbons at the dual meets!)
* All mock meet events are considered exhibition events - no points will be earned.
* We will utilize all 6 lanes. We will combine relays wherever possible (i.e. the 7/8 girls/boys relays may be run concurrently).
* We get the whole deck to ourselves - feel free to spread out, but leave a path around the pool so meet personnel can get through!
* Since a lot of kids have testing, we won't do coach relays.
* There is no official photographer for the mock meet.
* If we can get everyone warmed up and get all of our volunteers in place, we might try to start 10-15 minutes before 6pm.
What to Bring:
* Deck chairs will be unavailable due to limited deck space, we recommend bringing your own chairs, or a towel/blanket for your swimmers.
If you need help before or during the meet, the Coaches will be wearing PINK Porpoise shirts with COACH on the back. Before the meet, please address your questions to an assistant coach, as Coach Evan will be working through time-critical pre-meet duties. I will be wearing a BLUE Porpoise shirt. I do not plan to take an official job at the mock meet so I can float around and help where needed. April will be acting as TSA rep - the TSA rep is responsible for making sure we follow all TSA rules. Between the coaches, April, and me, we should be able to answer any questions that arise. Ask around if you haven't met us yet - someone will be able to point us out.
Mock Meet Differences:
There are a few differences between Mock Meets and Dual Meets. * No ribbons will be distributed at or after the Mock Meet. (I promise there are lots of ribbons at the dual meets!)
* All mock meet events are considered exhibition events - no points will be earned.
* We will utilize all 6 lanes. We will combine relays wherever possible (i.e. the 7/8 girls/boys relays may be run concurrently).
* We get the whole deck to ourselves - feel free to spread out, but leave a path around the pool so meet personnel can get through!
* Since a lot of kids have testing, we won't do coach relays.
* There is no official photographer for the mock meet.
* If we can get everyone warmed up and get all of our volunteers in place, we might try to start 10-15 minutes before 6pm.
What to Bring:
* Deck chairs will be unavailable due to limited deck space, we recommend bringing your own chairs, or a towel/blanket for your swimmers.
* Sunscreen
* Towel (s)
* Goggles
* Swim cap (if not using a swim cap, please make sure long hair is tied back securely) * Card games, journals/coloring books, or other non-electronic activities to keep your swimmer entertained between races.
* Water/snacks - concessions will also open (see below).
Please have your swimmer drink extra water today and tomorrow to prepare for the heat! (It's a really good idea for parents/volunteers too!)
Concessions:
Concessions will be operating at the mock meet inside the clubhouse (enter from the back deck) and will offer pizza, cold drinks, ice cream, snow cones, and other snacks. Cash is strongly preferred, but a Venmo option is also available. Due to price increases, pizza this year will be $3 a slice, and whole pizzas will be $20. All profits from concessions are reinvested into the team.
DJ Requests:
Ryan Stumpe will be our announcer/DJ for home meets again this season. If your swimmer would like to request a song, submit a joke, etc, please use the following link: https://forms.gle/rhRmsgVgmefyHYMq7 . Ryan will try to get through the requests if he has time, but they might roll over into future meets if he gets too many requests. All song requests must have a clean version, and joke requests must be appropriate for all ages. He will also have a small tablet available for requests at the meets.
If Something Comes Up:
If something comes up and your swimmer cannot participate, please let Coach Evan or I know ASAP. If something comes up and you cannot volunteer, please let me know ASAP. Please, please don't be a no-show, as it creates a lot of extra chaos in the minutes before the meet, and can delay the start. The sooner you let us know, the better, as it gives us more time to revise lane assignments/relays and update paperwork.
Shout Out:
Special thanks to our sponsor this season, Shutter + Spoke Photography, shutterandspoke.com !
Questions?
I'm sure there are things I've forgotten. Please don't hesitate to ask me or a coach if you have any questions.
I'll send out another brief email tomorrow with the timeline and heat sheet. We're excited to kick things off! Go PORPOISES!
Kara
* Towel (s)
* Goggles
* Swim cap (if not using a swim cap, please make sure long hair is tied back securely) * Card games, journals/coloring books, or other non-electronic activities to keep your swimmer entertained between races.
* Water/snacks - concessions will also open (see below).
Please have your swimmer drink extra water today and tomorrow to prepare for the heat! (It's a really good idea for parents/volunteers too!)
Concessions:
Concessions will be operating at the mock meet inside the clubhouse (enter from the back deck) and will offer pizza, cold drinks, ice cream, snow cones, and other snacks. Cash is strongly preferred, but a Venmo option is also available. Due to price increases, pizza this year will be $3 a slice, and whole pizzas will be $20. All profits from concessions are reinvested into the team.
DJ Requests:
Ryan Stumpe will be our announcer/DJ for home meets again this season. If your swimmer would like to request a song, submit a joke, etc, please use the following link: https://forms.gle/
If Something Comes Up:
If something comes up and your swimmer cannot participate, please let Coach Evan or I know ASAP. If something comes up and you cannot volunteer, please let me know ASAP. Please, please don't be a no-show, as it creates a lot of extra chaos in the minutes before the meet, and can delay the start. The sooner you let us know, the better, as it gives us more time to revise lane assignments/relays and update paperwork.
Shout Out:
Special thanks to our sponsor this season, Shutter + Spoke Photography, shutterandspoke.
Questions?
I'm sure there are things I've forgotten. Please don't hesitate to ask me or a coach if you have any questions.
I'll send out another brief email tomorrow with the timeline and heat sheet. We're excited to kick things off! Go PORPOISES!
Kara