Greetings Piranhas parents,

Our first swim meet is tomorrow!

For volunteers

• Upon arrival at the swim meet, you will check in with the Malessa Paez and Dana Dojnik so we can keep track of who’s arrived. They will provide an overview of the volunteer duties and let you know where your station is located.

Swimmers and families swim meet details (general)

• Meet arrival is 5 PM. Meet begins at 6 PM. The pool address is 440 W. Trinity Pl; Decatur, GA 30030. Provide extra time to find parking.
• When you arrive, there will be parents and coaches available to mark up your swimmer. This involves recording their events on their arms (using a Sharpie) so everyone knows what events they will be swimming. See the attached pdf for more details.
• Coaches will decide what each swimmer will swim.. Swimmers ages 5-6 will swim 2 individual events and 1 relay. Swimmers 7 and up will do two individual events and two relays. There are some exceptions where kids will swim more or less than this, but this is generally what to expect.
• For the rest of the season, the deadline for the week’s swim meet will be on Saturday after practice (~12 PM).

Warm up and meet start time: Warm up start time is determined by the other team’s coach. Generally, arrive at 5:00 PM and you’ll be there in plenty of time for your child to warm up. The meet will begin at 6:00. All meets begin with relays: 5-6 year old free relays and 7 and up begin with medley relays. If this is your first meet, do not worry! We’ll teach everyone what to do including volunteers! 😀

What to bring: For your swimmers: (suit, goggles, at least 2 towels) and change of clothes. Some kids also appreciate a chair. Your swimmer will be getting wet and drying off frequently. Clothes are good to have around to stay warm/dry. Sunscreen and insect repellent are good to have on hand. Bring hats for children and adults who are sun-sensitive.

What to wear: Swimmers wear their racing suits and their white swim caps to represent Piranhas pride. If you have been unable to pick your suits and caps up, we will have them at the meet.

Home Team/Home Pool: This is an outdoor pool in the heart of the City of Decatur. It is a nice competition pool, 25 yards with good starting blocks, and the team is supportive and friendly. They usually run a concession stand, too!

Away Team (Glenwood Park Piranhas) Warm-up: TBA (after 5:00 PM!)

Bullpen: At this pool, we are usually asked to set up in the grassy area outside the pool entrance. We ask all our swimmers and bull pen groups to remain close together to make it easier to set up the events, especially the relays.

Concessions/ snacks: This team runs a concessions stand. However, if you have food restrictions, bring your own options.

Seating/Shade: The whole meet will be in full sun, and we are likely setting up in a grassy area. If you have a tent please consider bringing it to share with your child’s bullpen group. BRING SUNSCREEN AND INSECT REPELLENT. The mosquitos are here.

Swimmers: Swimmers will be grouped together by age (6&u boys/girls, 8&U boys/girls 10&U boys/girls etc.). This helps with organization and helps us (deck managers and coaches) find your swimmers when it is time to race. If you signed up to work a bullpen shift you will check in when you arrive and receive further information about where to set up and what to do.

*Note* When your swimmers are not racing, please help coaching staff by keeping your kids in their designated area and not wandering around in the pool deck, locker rooms, etc. We know some kids like to hang with parents when they are not swimming, and if this is the case with your swimmer, please come hang out with your swimmer’s bullpen so we know where your kids are!

Volunteers: Volunteers are what make the meets happen and without your help they cannot and will not run successfully. Each team is required to provide volunteers so if you have not signed up so far please lend a hand! We cannot start the meet without your help! Every job lasts half the meet. You will switch with another volunteer so everyone gets to enjoy the swim meet. Please don't hesitate to assist!

Meet Essentials: Please see the attached "Meet Essentials" document. This will get you meet-ready and understand how to mark up your swimmer for the events. If anything is unclear, ASK YOUR COACHES FOR HELP. We want to help you learn the process as well as the swimmers.

What to do: Enjoy the night and cheer your swimmer and our team on to a VICTORY!

If you have any questions or concerns, or you are running late, please email Coach Nate at [email protected] and Martha at [email protected].

See you tomorrow!

Coach Nate & YOUR GWP Piranhas Coaching Staff