SCF Sharks practice meet is here already! We have many new families with us this year, so I want to be sure and get out as much info as possible. I know many of you have been through this for many years, but please read through the entire email as some things have changed.

The purpose of the practice meet is to get times for swimmers, it helps us place our swimmers in the proper starting positions and events for the upcoming meets. The practice meet is also an opportunity for new (and old) swimmers to get an idea of how things will be run at the meets. Where they need to go, and what they need to listen for.

RSVP!

The RSVP function on our website is something everyone must do, in order for the coaches know you will be attending the meet! They do meet entries through the web site and your RSVP allows them to enter your swimmer. Please take a few minutes to RSVP for the meet by logging into our team site at www.scfsharks.org and clicking on calendar. From there, click on the "RSVP" button by the practice meet and enter yes or no by the swimmers names that will be attending.

Swimmer Check In:

Swimmers are asked to arrive the the pool by 7:00 am. They must check in by 7:25 am at the latest. Any swimmer checked in after 7:30 am runs the risk of being scratched for the entire meet. Swimmer check in is located in the area between the concessions and the pool gate in front of the bathrooms. Swimmers will receive a slip with the events they are swimming. Swimmers should check in with their coaches by 7:30 am for instructions for warm ups. Coaches will be set up on the far side of the pool deck closest to the starting blocks.

Volunteers and Volunteering:

Since this is a practice meet, we will have only one shift for this meet. Volunteers need to check in with Nora, the Volunteer Coordinator as soon as you check in your swimmer(s) for the meet. Volunteer Coordinator will be located in the area between the concessions, clubhouse area, next to the swimmer check in. If you are volunteering in a position you have never done before, you will be put in contact with the right person to get you situated in your duties.

If you are volunteering for setup on Friday night, we will be meeting in the pool area at 9 pm and will hopefully be done within 90 minutes or so. If you are volunteering for setup Saturday morning, please report to the concessions area by 6 am on Saturday

*** AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE NEED TO FILL 7 TIMER POSITIONS*** THE MEET CANNOT START UNTIL ALL POSITIONS HAVE BEEN FILLED. 

Family Tents and Team Tents:

SCF Team tents will not be used this season. Instead they will be set up in the ready bench area to shade the swimmers waiting on deck for their events.

Shark Families have plenty of room to set up tents in our designated area outside of the chain-link fence by the baseball fields. The gate will be open so we have easy access to the side of the pool closest to the grass. We have a few trees along side of the pool, but space is at a premium and fills up pretty early.

What to Bring:

The basics:

Suit / goggles

swim cap / towel

Extras:

Sunscreen, cover up clothing, and some sort of shoes are also needed. Many families bring their own pop up shade to sit under during the meet. It isn't required, but remember that you will be sitting out in the sun for the better part of the day. Meets usually run until 2 pm or later in the afternoon. You also want to bring chairs, money for concessions, snacks and drinks, and something to help occupy your kids while they wait for their next event. Many of the younger kids will bring books and crayons or even some toys to play with while under their tent while others bring cards or other small games.

Concessions:

Concessions is the perfect way to support our SCF Sharks! Breakfast items such as, donuts and coffee in the morning, to hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, candy and various other items. Such great options you don't need to think about bringing food! Our concessions area has a wide variety of grilled food, snacks and beverages to last from early morning till the end of the meet, so be sure to bring some cash to keep your swimmers appetites at bay!

General Rules:

Swimmers and parents are not allowed to question, interfere, or talk to the meet officials. Officials will be wearing white shirts and blue shorts/pants and will have NWAL name tags. This includes scorers and computer entry officials. Violation of these rules can cost our team points and can cause your swimmer to be disqualified from their last or next event. Any issues that may occur during the meet needs to be brought to the attention of either a SCF board member or coach.

** Nobody is allowed in the pool unless they are competing in the event that is in progress. This includes the shallow pool.

Doing so will delay the meet and cause swimmers to be disqualified.**

Swim caps MUST be worn by all girls as well as by boys with long hair.

Weather:

The general rule of thumb is if we can hear thunder or see lightning, everyone is out of the pool, off the deck and we don't swim until the weather clears. We usually swim in the rain unless it is heavy enough that the coaches cannot see the bottom of the pool. This goes for practice as well as swim meets. Practices will be delayed or called off at the discretion of the coaches and the SCF Board of Directors. Swim meets will be delayed or canceled by the meet referee. We will do our best to put out the word on the web site and by email as soon as possible.

** If you did not bring Gatorade or Quench to the kickoff picnic, we are asking families to bring one 6pk or 8pk of 12 ounce Gatorade or Quench sports drink to donate to the team. You may give your drink donations at the swimmer check in table. Make sure to have them write your name down.**

Please feel free to email the SCF board any questions or concerns @ [email protected]. We are excited and look forward to seeing everybody at the Shark Tank on Saturday Morning!!

- SCF Sharks Board

Items To Bring to Practice Meet

swimmer

cap

goggles

suit

towel

sunscreen

chair (recommended)

pop up tent (optional)

money for food and drinks

(Team Merchandise will also be available including swim caps)

snacks

Sharks Spirit!

Timeline -

Please arrive by 7 am

Swimmer check-in deadline - 7:25 am

Volunteers must check in by - 7:30 am (6 am for setup crew)

Swimmer warm ups begin - 7:30 am

Officials meeting - 8:10 am

Scribes and timers meeting - 8:20 am

National Anthem - 8:30 am

Meet starts immediately following the National Anthem

Please remember that this schedule is only for the practice meet.

Times may vary at regular season meets.