2024 Rep Report #2
Summary of Upcoming RSVP Deadlines:
- Wednesday, June 5: RSVP for Time Trials
- Wednesday, June 5: Sign up for volunteer points
- Friday, June 7: Declare availability for ALL A Meets
- Monday, June 10: Last chance to RSVP for June 15 A Meet
The Otters braved the cold water for a great first week of practice last week and we were thrilled to see so many new and returning swimmers in the pool! We are excited for a fun week ahead. We ask that you please take a minute to review the following important information for this week. As always, we recognize it’s a lot of information and we appreciate your review.
TIME TRIALS
Time Trials will take place this Saturday, June 8 at OSRC. Time trials is an opportunity for every swimmer (not Otter Pups) to swim every stroke to get an official time. These times are an important part of seeding the first A Meet of the season. This event is a must swim. All swimmers will swim every stroke they are able to; the coaches may not enter your swimmer in an event if they’re still learning that stroke.
Please review details sent by the B Meet Reps on June 1. They will send additional information as we get closer to Saturday. If you have questions about Time Trials, please email the B Meet Reps (Kristin Walsh & Erin Pfiffner).
Please click HERE to declare your swimmer(s) as "attending" time trials. If you have a compelling reason why your swimmer cannot attend, please mark them as "not attending." We ask that swimmers make every effort to stay for the duration of the meet so that they may swim all strokes for which the coaches have signed them up. If you do need to arrive late or leave early, please notify the B Meet Reps.
MEETS & EVENTS
Our calendar for the season is full of fun events. For planning purposes, we require swimmers to RSVP for all meets and events. Please log into SWIMTOPIA MEETS & EVENTS and let us know if your child will be joining the fun. (As a reminder, Thursday social event sign-ups took place during registration. Please contact us with any questions.)
Our first A Meet of the season is right around the corner! Please RSVP to this meet and ALL other Saturday A Meets no later than Friday, June 7. We ask that you please take the time to do this, regardless of whether or not you think your child will be selected. You can always go back and change your availability if your plans change. Remember - lack of declaration for A Meets will be an assumed “unavailable.” RSVPs for the June 15 A Meet will CLOSE at noon on Monday, June 10. We are unable to make exceptions due to league deadlines.
PRACTICE INFORMATION
Afternoon practices will continue through Wednesday, June 12 and then shift to mornings on Thursday, June 13. Please visit SwimTopia to see the full SCHEDULE. If you have them, please bring fins to practice. While not required, you may purchase a pair online or at a local swim shop. Click here for an example.
TEAM SUITS, GEAR, AND SPIRITWEAR
We will use the same team suit as last year. If you need to purchase one, please visit the online store or stop by SuitUp in Fairfax. If it is your swimmer’s first year wearing this suit, we do recommend trying on in person, as sizing and fit varies across styles and brands.
We will distribute team shirts, caps, and spiritwear purchases during practices at the end of this week and at Time Trials. We will also have magnets, car flags, and yard signs available for sale.
PEP RALLIES
Start planning your costumes; Friday night pep rallies start next week! First up, USA Theme on Friday, June 14 in honor of the upcoming Summer Olympic Games. Come in your red, white, and blue gear or dressed as your favorite Olympian. The events start at 5:30pm, dinner for swimmers will be at served around 6pm, and we will wrap up by 7pm. Parents are welcome to drop off or stay to chat with friends. (Otter Pups must be accompanied by an adult; please use parental discretion for dropping off 8U swimmers.) Please RSVP so that we have enough food for all swimmers!
NATIONAL ANTHEM
We have many talented musicians in the Otter community! If your swimmer is interested in performing the National Anthem at a home meet, please let us know.
FAMILY FOLDERS
In the entrance of the pool, there is a small filing cabinet. Each swim team family will have its own folder. Throughout the season, we will use these folders to store ribbons, etc.
PRIVATE LESSONS
Interested in extra instruction for your swimmer? Our talented coaching staff offers private lessons to all OSRC members and renters. All lessons should be arranged directly with your choice of coach. Please CLICK HERE to visit the Otters website where you can find the list of coaches and their contact information.
YEAR-ROUND/CLUB SWIMMING
Many of our Otters love summer swim so much that by the end of the season, they are eager to join club teams that swim during the school year. Please note that 2024-2025 registration is now open for many local club swim teams and it fills up fast. Many of our coaches and reps have experience with several local clubs. Please reach out to any of us if you’d like to learn more about the various options.
SWIMTOPIA APP & SOCIAL MEDIA
Did you know SwimTopia has an app for your phone? The SwimTopia mobile app is available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. You can declare and RSVP to events at your fingertips! When downloading the app, make sure to allow notifications - this way you will receive alerts for inclement weather, canceled practices, and meet delays!
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Thanks for reading,
Maggie, Andrea, and Liz
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