Dear Swim Team Families,

Happy Mother’s Day to all of our Merrimack Moms!

We are excited for our first week of swim practice! Merrimack pool is heated and ready for our swimmers!

THIS WEEK:

MONDAY 5/11, TUESDAY 5/12, WEDNESDAY 5/13, and THURSDAY 5/14:

• This weeks schedule (Monday -Thursday) May 11th - May 14th
  • 12 and older 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
  • 8&U Team 5:30 pm - 6:15 pm
  • 9-11 year olds 6:15 pm - 7 pm
• Double check the PRACTICE SCHEDULE to get ready for next week
• Practices are still held in the rain, but will be cancelled for thunder!
• 6 and 7yos needing swim assessments should plan to come to any of the 5:30pm practices this week–please just let the coaches know that you’re there for a swim assessment!

SAVE THE DATE

SUNDAY 5/17 at 5:00 p.m.: SEASON OVERVIEW IN PERSON MEETING!

• Join us for a quick overview of the swim season Sunday, May 17th at 5PM on the pool deck!
• Learn what’s expected of parents and swimmers, when to send your swimmer to practice, and the difference between an A Meet and a B Meet.
• Find out how to make sure your swimmer is signed up for meets and how to plan and prepare for a summer of great swimming.
• Information about B Meet sign up procedure.
• Recommended for all swim families. Strongly encouraged (dare we say mandatory) for all new families.

SATURDAY 6/6 at 8am: TIME TRIALS!

• Time trials is a swim meet, but it’s just for Merrimack swimmers. Swimmers practice swimming in a meet setting and record a time for each event. This allows coaches to plan the first A meet. It also allows volunteers to learn on the job.

SATURDAY 7/19 at 1 p.m.: Merrimack Swim Team Banquet!

• The whole family is invited to help celebrate our swimmers after Divisionals Saturday, July 19th at 1PM at Maggianos in Friendship Heights!

REMINDERS

• SPORTFAIR will sell Merrimack team suits poolside during time trials on June 6.
• MERCH MERCH MERCH! Be on the lookout for a link to purchase Merrimack merch soon!
• At Merrimack we strive to create a community where every swimmer and family feels they belong. Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you have concerns.

FAQS

• WHO’S WHO?:
  • Head Coach: Elizabeth Sudassy
  • Team Reps: Matt Zimmerman (general team management)
  • A-Reps: Chris Pashby & Elena Renjel (A-Meets, All-Star Relay, Divisionals & team activities)
  • B-Reps: Anna Park & Anne Glass (B-Meets & team activities)
• WHAT DO WE NEED FOR PRACTICE?
  • Each swimmer should come with goggles, cap (hair tied back) and well-fitted swimsuit.
  • Here are some examples of goggle options on Amazon.
  • Sun shirts are great for playing in the pool, but slow down our swimmers! Choose a simple, one-piece (for girls) suit for swim practice. Here are a few examples.
• WHAT IF THE WEATHER LOOKS BAD?
  • Practice continues in light rain and cool temperatures (the pool water is heated), but will be delayed or canceled due to thunder or downpours. We’ll get messages out whenever possible, but the pool (X/ Twitter @Merrimack_Pool) account is a good resource for information on pool closures.
• IS THERE AN APP?
  • YES! Swimtopia has a great app: App Store or Google Play. (SKIP “Pro” upgrade. We won’t use it.) Once you download, log in with YOUR PERSONAL Swimtopia username & password (which you set up at registration).
• More questions? Please see the team handbook and volunteer requirements here. Everyone, that means you, needs to volunteer!

Looking forward to seeing you at the pool!

Your Swim Reps,

Chris & Elena (A Reps)

Anna & Anne (B Reps)