Dear Sharks Parents,

Our 2024 SCF Sharks practice meet is here already! We have many new families with us this year, so we want to be sure and get out as much info as possible. We know many of you have been through this for 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. This 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 be listening for during the meets.

RSVP for your swimmers!

The RSVP function on our website is something everyone must do in order for the coaches to know your swimmer(s) will be attending the meet! These are due the Wednesday before the meet by 5:00pm. Our coaches and officials 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 "MEET ENTRY" button by the practice meet and enter yes or no by the swimmers names that will be attending. (FYI, you can go ahead and RSVP for your swimmer for the season while you're there as all meets except invitationals are open now.)

Swimmer Check In:

Swimmers are asked to arrive at 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. Look for one of our Junior Coaches. Swimmers will receive a slip with the events they are swimming. Swimmers should then 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. Volunteers need to check in with Nora, our Volunteer Coordinator as soon as you check in your swimmer(s) for the meet. Our 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 on Saturday morning, please report to the concessions area by 6 am on Saturday morning.

What to Bring:

-Swimmer

-Cap 

-Goggles

-Suit 

-Towel 

-Sunscreen

-Sharpie

-Shoes

-Cover-up

-Chair 

-Pop-up tent (optional)

-Money for food and drinks

-Snacks

-Water

-Sharks Spirit!

**Team Merchandise will also be available including swim caps**

Swim caps MUST be worn by all girls as well as by boys with long hair. Only 1-piece suits are allowed for girls.

*Extras: Sunscreen, cover up clothing, and some sort of shoes are 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. Time Trials usually get done around lunch time. Dual meets can 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.

Family Set up:

We will have our team's family set up in the grass behind the concessions area. This is partially shaded.

Families are asked to help us clean up after themselves and after the meet is done. This will ensure we can all go home timely and keep things running smoothly. Your help is much appreciated and will get noticed and rewarded!!!

***No swimmers are allowed on the playground while the meet is in progress. There will be signs posted.***

Concessions:

Concessions are the perfect way to support our SCF Sharks! Breakfast items such as donuts and coffee in the morning. 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! We also take cards with Square or Venmo.

** If you did not bring Gatorade or sodas to the kickoff picnic, you may give your drink donations at the swimmer check in table or send your $16 donation via Venmo. Make sure to have them write your name down.**

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.

Swimmers need to follow the rules of conduct agreed to at team registration. No rough-housing, rude, dangerous or disrespectful behavior will be allowed. Violation of these rules can cause swimmers to be disqualified and asked to leave.

Any issues that may occur during the meet needs to be brought to the attention of our Team Rep, Katherine Henderson, another SCF board member or a 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.**

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. 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.

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.

Warm ups and meeting times differ at regular season meets and will be announced with those email reminders.

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

- SCF Sharks Board