Good evening everyone!

It’s really almost here…. Piranhas practices begin next Monday, May 8.

Please read all of this stuff. Hopefully it’ll help you feel really prepared to bring your swimmers and get this season going! See Entrance/exit section for a call for volunteers.

Practice details- general

The swim team swimmers and families must stay on good terms with pool members. To do this, we must adhere to practice structures and pool board rules and requests, which are outlined in this message.

Pool use rules (members and non-members)

• We will always share the pool with members. There will always be at least one lane and the shallow play area available for member use.
• Non-member swimmers may use the facilities for their practices, but when practices are over, it is expected that non-members will leave. If a pool member wishes to have a non-member swimmer stay as their guest, members must list guests in the sign-in book in the pool entrance.

Practice Schedule

4:15-5:00 PM, M-W-Th and Saturday 9:30-10:15 AM. Swimmers ages 5-8 ONLY*.

• We have two lanes for this practice. This practice is for our youngest and newest swimmers. With fewer swimmers in the pool, this will be a good opportunity for the littlest and newest to get used to the water and the routines with fewer distractions.

5:00-5:45 PM, M-W-Th and Saturday 9:30-10:15 AM. Swimmers ages 5-10.

• We have four lanes for this practice organized by age and skill level.

5:45- 6:45 PM, M-W-Th and Saturday 8:30-9:30 AM. Swimmers ages 11 and up.**

• There are four lanes for this practice organized by age and skill level.

*Note 1: The age-up date is May 31. Your child’s age group is their age on May 31. For example, a child who turns 9 on June 1 will still be considered 8 for the swim season.

**Note 2: Swimmers who are 10 and under practice for races that are 1 lap of the pool (1 length, 25 yards or 25 meters). Ages 11 and up, swimmers practice for 2-lap races (2 lengths, 50 yards or 50 meters).

Practice Rules

• Swimmers must follow the coaches’ instructions at all times.
• Practice lanes will be decided by coaches. Lane decisions will be made based on swimmers’ ages and skill level.
• Parents must refrain from discussing individual swimmer concerns with parents during practice, as this will hinder coaches’ ability to keep all swimmers safe.
• Parents must supervise any other children at all times.
• Swimmers who are at the pool before or after their practice must not disturb the practices.

Coaches

Coach Nathan Jones is the Piranhas’ head coach. He started the team in 2013 and we are excited he is returning for 9th year. Coach Nate will be assisted by a crew of young adult coaches, all of whom are current or former team swimmers. Assistant coaches: a coaching schedule will be provided for you by May 3.

Parking

Unless you are a pool member or condo resident, you cannot park in the spaces in front of the pool entrance, which are marked for pool members or condo residents. Parking is available on Glenwood Place/Faith Ave. There’s a convenient public walkway from 956 Glenwood place to the pool. Better yet, drop off your older swimmers or bike or walk if you can!

If you are new to the pool, the entrance is on the north side of the building, which is a white, 4-story stucco building on the corner of N. Ormewood Park Drive and Newhall Lane.

Walking path at 956 Glenwood Place to the pool building:

Entrance/exit

Entrance to the pool is controlled with key fobs. Members, please bring yours for access! We need folks to volunteer to hang out in the pool office and provide swimmer access. If we do not get volunteers to do this, it will be critical for those without fobs to be on time for practice, as this will guarantee pool entrance. This is not typically a huge problem, but it can be a challenge to get in if you forget or don’t have a fob and practices have already started. We cannot rely on coaches to provide pool access, as they have to watch swimmers at all times. Parent/family volunteers are needed for this. It's a good opportunity to meet other parents and get to know people and a simple way to help.

To exit the pool area, go to one of the bathroom doors and enter the ZIP code 30316 on the key pad.

Swim Meets

Swim meets are the soul of summer league. There are 5 of them on the following dates. We encourage our families to come to as many as they can. Mark your calendars!

Tuesday, May 30, 5:30 PM. Dual Meet (two teams). location TBA

Tuesday, June 6, 5:30 PM. Dual Meet (two teams). location TBA

Tuesday, June 13, 5:30 PM. Dual Meet (two teams). location TBA

Tuesday, June 20, 5:30 PM. Dual Meet (two teams). location TBA

Monday, June 26, 5:30 PM. Dual Meet (two teams). location TBA

Thursday, June 29. Divisional Meet (season finale), approx. 3:00 PM, GA Tech Aquatics Center

Post-season Celebration

Tentatively scheduled for Friday, June 30. 5:30 PM. Location TBA

More to come!

Meanwhile please ask your questions.

All the best,

Martha Donovan

404-643-7002