What’s new with the team this year?

• We have bumped to a different division this summer. Most of the teams we will be swimming are smaller teams. We could get more wins- and ribbons- this season, which is always a morale booster for the kids!
• This year we are thrilled to implement a new program- the Mini Marlins!

Who are the coaches?

• We are super excited about our coaching staff: Tyler, Chloe, Ryann, Lilah, Brian, Hailey and Ethan. All have extensive experience as competition swimmers and many are returning coaches.
• Coach Tyler is returning this season as head coach. He has big plans for our swimmers and we are grateful for his guidance!
• Ryann will coach the Mini Marlins. Ryann has many years experience coaching and with young children. 

What if I can’t attend a meet?

• If you CAN NOT swim in a meet, you MUST let Coach Tyler know by RSVPing that you will not be there. If you do not RSVP, it will be assumed you are swimming. You can RSVP on Swimtopia under ‘Swim Meets.’ Make sure you are logged in. Find the meet you are wanting to RSVP for and enter your swimmers that will not attend. Please save your response.
• You must let Coach Tyler know by the Monday of the meet if you will not be there by RSVPing. For our last meet on a Monday, you will need to let him know by the Thursday before. If you swimmer gets sick or there’s an emergency after the RSVP deadline, contact Coach Tyler @ [email protected] and/or Jake Edwards @ [email protected] ASAP. Jake is our coach liaison this year.

What happens if my kid has camp or I work?

• Evening practices are available Monday and Wednesday from 6-7 p.m. for working parents or when kids have camp from 5/29-6/26. You must let the coaches know you will be attending, so they will know how many coaches to have. RECENT CHANGE—We are retiring the evening practice RSVP ‘notebook.’ You can now RSVP (in this instance, if you WILL be attending) online. Login, go to ‘swim meets’ and then click on the evening practice date and RSVP. You may do this now for the entire season, or up until the day before.

How does volunteering work?

• If you have not indicated your volunteer preference, please contact Tonya Oliver @ [email protected].
• Volunteering is required to make the meet run smoothly. You may leave the meet after your volunteer position and your swimmers are finished.
• If you are running late for your volunteer position or there is an emergency, contact Tonya Oliver ASAP @ 770-355-4026.
• We have two shifts for volunteering. 6&u swimmers finish early- typically around 8 p.m., so if you only have a 6&u, may want to work 1^st shift, so you can head home with your little one. If you prefer to watch your child, you could work 2^nd shift, but be forewarned, this can run quite late.

How do I get my swimsuit & team t-shirt/merchandise?

• Swimsuits will be available the first week of practice. You do not have to wear your team suit to practice (although jammers are recommended for boys), but they are mandatory for swim meets. Minis do not have to wear a team suit for meets unless they’d like to.
• Team t-shirts will be ready for pick up the first week of afternoon practice. Find Susan Pope & Lindsay Gerry (usually set up on the top deck) to grab your goods. Merchandise will also be for sale, so bring cash or check to the first practices- and to the meets- if you’re interested in purchasing.

What kind of fun things can we expect?

• Fun things…Fridays after meets will be hour-long fun Fridays with 30 minutes of practice, occasionally doughnuts, and some fun. Throughout the season we will have the Kona Ice Truck visit and the ice cream truck will stop by! We may have a few themed meets too!

What happens if it rains?

• Rain delay—If a meet is delayed, DO NOT GO HOME! Please sit in your cars or stay in a protected area by the pool. We will email via Swimtopia when it is safe to return to the pool or if the meet is rescheduled. We are working on a possibly sending a text alert, but for now, we only have email blast capabilities.
• Rain Make up- If it’s a home meet, our rain make up will be the next day (Friday) at the same time. If it’s an away meet, we are at the discretion of the opposing team. Many swim the next morning or night, and sometimes the following Monday. It just depends on the team.

When and what is the county meet?

• County Meet- If your child is in the top 100 swim times in the county for any stroke in his/her age group, he/she may qualify for the county meet at Georgia Tech in July. County swimmers will continue to practice beyond the last regular meet on the 1^st. Amy Gundry is the county meet coordinator and will reach out to you if your child looks like he/she may qualify.
• County Dates are July 13 & 14- please set these dates aside.

What’s up with the Mini Marlins?

• Minis will practice Monday-Fridays for the after school practice.
• Minis will practice ONLY Monday-Wednesdays for morning practice.
• Minis swim assisted by coaches @ 5:45 p.m. at home meets and at away meets if our opponents also have a mini program (we will let you know if this is the case on a weekly basis). Please arrive at the meets by 4:30. Swimming in meets is not mandatory for the Minis, but we encourage them to swim in as many home meets as possible. It’s so much fun and pretty adorable!
• Please arrive by 4:30, check in, and head to the bullpen area.
• Minis, make sure your kid has goggles.
• Please do not leave your Mini unattended or leave the pool area during practice.
• If your mini is doing really well and Coach Ryann feels he/she is ready to swim in a meet with the 6 & u, your child can swim in the meet as a 6&u. This decision will be up to the parent, child and coaches.
• If you’d like extra instruction outside practice, our coaches are available for private lessons.

What should my 6&u know?

• 6&u only swim backstroke and freestyle.
• Make sure they know they can stop and grab the lane ropes if necessary, but they will be disqualified if they pull on the lane ropes.

Can kids play in the baby pool during practice?

• No. We do not have a lifeguard. Kids can not use the baby pool during practice OR meets. Please monitor your children.

Where can I get more info on meets, etc.?

• We will send out weekly info with instructions and directions to meets, as well as arrival times, etc. Tonya will email weekly volunteer positions. You should also pick up our team 2019 handbook at practice. Finally, follow the team on Facebook and Instagram.