Week 2 Dolphin News

🐬There are no practices tomorrow, Monday, May 27th for the Memorial Day Holiday.

🐬Tuesday, May 28th is our Team Picture and Potluck! Practices will be condensed: 9 & Ups will practice from 4:00-5:00 and 8 & Unders will practice from 5:00-5:45. Our team picture will be taken promptly at 6:00 followed by our potluck dinner. Be sure to RSVP to attend and bring a dish to share. We hope to have our new t-shirts to all of our swimmers prior to the Team picture!

🐬 Message from Coach Ben: With Time Trials being next week and us not having practice Monday or Friday this week, I recommend everyone getting in the water for tomorrow! General things to work on and talk to your kids about:

6 and unders: breathing to the side

7/8s: breathing to the side on freestyle and on breaststroke making sure they are only doing breaststroke kick and no freestyle kick

9/10s: making sure both arms come out of the water for butterfly

11 & ups: generally getting in the water and making sure they aren’t getting DQ’d. Most kids won’t get DQs but if there are any issues most notably on breaststroke and butterfly. On butterfly, making sure both arms get out of the water and on breastroke having a legal kick.

🐬Message from Coach Mindy: Hey all! Please tell your swimmers thanks for showing up, and doing their best for our first chilly week of practice!

Reminders: Please be sure they have gone to the bathroom. Have their goggles in hand. No candy or gum. No toys. No floaties.

Skills we worked on will be gone over many times! I want it to come natural for them. We do not run on deck. We tell our adult we are entering the pool. We do not go into water that is too deep. We blow air out slowly every time face is in water. We look at the bottom of the pool when our face is in water. This is the set up for freestyle side breathing/dives and turns. Our kick on back and front is done with straight legs and pointed toes. Our arms for freestyle come up with elbow, reach out and pull the water. Our fingers are together not cupped.

We did some jumping into deeper water, turning around and swimming to the side. I want them to know that if they get pushed, fall or jump into a pool, lake, or ocean, they know they can swim to side/boat/dock.

We will work on freestyle for another week, then do some floating/backstroke. Many needed reminders from last year, but really were tuned into instruction. Absolutely loved working with them.

My new Wees (non-swimmers): The biggest goal/task/challenge/skill toward progressing into stroke work, is the face in the water. It is a huge obstacle and scary for many. Once they do it a few times, then that’s it!

If you have any advice for me on dealing with your swimmer, I am game to hear it. I have dealt with all types of kids in the past 25 years, but I am open to knowing/hearing how I can motivate your new swimmer.

We have Team pictures on May 28th at 6:00pm and a potluck dinner so please bring a dish to share and RSVP on Swimtopia. I want all my JR Dolphins in the picture! I intend to have Tuesday practices prior to the picture, but if you don’t want your swimmer getting wet before the picture, I understand.

My cell is 919-417-1738, which is the best way to get in touch with me.

🐬We have new Dolphins swim caps available! If you would like one for your swimmer, they are $5. We will have some at all practices this week.

🐬Time Trials are next Tuesday, June 4th at 5:00pm.

• We will begin promptly at 5:00pm with warm ups, just like we would for a regular meet. All of our swimmers will swim all strokes (except butterfly for the 6 and unders). The goal is to get baseline times for each swimmer.
• We will run this just like a meet (except no relays), so no one is allowed in the pool (even in the shallow end after warm-ups) unless they are being timed for a stroke.
• Our Junior Dolphins are not expected to attend Time Trials, but you are more than welcome to come by and see how a meet runs without the large crowds.
• For our new families, Swim Meet 101 information can be found on SwimTopia under the “Meets and Events” tab. Andrea or I will be available during practices this week if you have any questions!
• Bring $ (credit cards accepted) for concessions!
• If your swimmer will be “gone” for time trials, please be sure to mark this in SwimTopia and talk to Coach Ben about having your child timed during a practice instead.
• Time Trials should take about 2 hours.
• We also currently have a few open volunteer positions still available for Time Trials. This would be a great time to sign up and try new and different volunteer positions, since it is low risk and not a formal meet. The following positions are open and available:
  • Timer
  • Stroke and Turn (Coach Mindy offered to guide anyone interested in trying this position out!)

🐬Please ALWAYS keep an eye on your children in the pool, even when they are with the coaches. Any children under 14 MUST be accompanied by an adult. If you cannot attend, please make arrangements with another family to be your child’s “parent” for that day at practice. Please note, swimmers under 16 years of age cannot be considered the “parent” of a sibling for practice.

🐬Upcoming Dates to Remember (also under “Upcoming Events” listed in SwimTopia)

• May 28 Potluck and Team Picture, immediately following condensed practices! Don’t be late for the picture at 6:00!
• June 4 Time Trials, BBW pool, 5:00pm
• June 11 FIRST MEET @ Home vs. Coachmans

Thanks and have a great week!

Jill and Andrea

🐬BBW/HL Dolphins🐬

[email protected]