Lots of Action Items and Updates, Blue Fins!

May 23rd

It was so fun to see many of you during our first (and only) practice this week! And if you weren't able to join... trust us, the water feels wonderful. Can't wait to see you Tuesday morning!

There is a lot going on during our first full week together… thank you for reading through everything below!

Morning Practices

As a reminder here are our morning practice times:

May 26 - June 26 (Mon-Fri)

13 & Older: 7:00-7:55am
11 & 12: 7:55 - 8:50am
9 & 10: 8:50 - 9:30am
7 & 8: 9:30 - 10:10am
6 & Under: 10:10 - 10:45am
Guppies: 10:15 - 10:45am (Guppies- NO PRACTICE FRIDAYS!)

Optional Evening Practice: May 26-27

Due to the later release of Douglas County Schools, we will hold evening practices on Tuesday, May 26 and Wednesday, May 27. Registration required!! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E49AEAD2BA2FD0-63685185-evening#/

6:00-6:45pm - Age 10&Under
7:00-8:00pm - Age 11-18

Big Fish/Little Fish!

This is our swimmer “mentorship” program! We pair up a seasoned swimmer with a younger/newer swimmer to help cheer on, encourage, guide, and make some new connections and friendships on the team.

You MUST opt-in to participate! Please fill out this quick form indicating your swimmer(s) interest in being a Big or Little Fish:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe362B0-vmqDGpHV0y8DXIk1C2a16uuZuZjeJolnAFL6St_ug/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Meet Entry Signups (due WEDNESDAY at 5:00)

Mock Meet (Friday, May 29, 8:30-10:30am)

Mock Meet Signup Here: https://forestparkbluefins.swimtopia.com/swim_meets/824357/swim_meet_entries
2 Individual Events, 1 Relay (medley relays at the end)
If your swimmer needs a coach in the water with them for an event, please indicate this in the “notes for coaches” section.
Calling all parents/volunteers!! This is a GREAT way to get the hang of volunteer shifts. Especially important are stroke judges, timers, heaters. We don’t have signups for this event, please just come and help out and see how a real meet will operate!

Away Meet @ Hunters Hill (Saturday, May 30, 9:00am)

Hunters Hill Meet Signup: https://forestparkbluefins.swimtopia.com/swim_meets/809160/swim_meet_entries

Reminder this is a Sprint Meet format! This is a new pilot format for the league this year, and it will be our only sprint meet (all others will be regular length) Start time: 9:00am
Regular meet limits apply: 3 individual events, 2 relay events
Make sure to indicate if your swimmer is available for relays (“early relays” are the first events of the day, “late relays” are the final events of the day and are estimated to occur this Saturday between 11:00-12:00).
If your swimmer needs a coach in the water with them for an event (which is OK!) please indicate that in the “notes for coaches” section.

Swim Meet Survival Guide

Our first meet is coming up quick! Please read through the Swim Meet Survival Guide and let me (or other seasoned families) know if you have any questions.

Swim Meet Survival Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DKhqk4hwDA0mR6kIMIFvgGbx1unhn-3sWCQyxJg1jx4/edit?usp=sharing

The welcome information from Hunters Hill including location, parking, etc. will be available early in the week.

Stroke Clinics

Blue Fins coaches are offering four (4) Stroke Clinics this June, available to all Blue Fins team members. Stroke Clinics provide swimmers a chance to work more on their technique with dedicated instruction from our coaches. (Swimmers should be confident swimmers, who do not need support in the water).

REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Due to limited space, registration is required!
COST: $10 per swimmer, per Clinic. CASH ONLY, due to coaches at the time of the Clinic.
CLINIC DATES: Clinics occur June 3, 10, 17, 24, from 7:00-8:00pm. See the signup for each clinic’s focus: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E49AEAD2BA2FD0-64273762-blue

“Remind” App Codes!

Signup for the Remind App! This is how coaches will communicate with each age group, and you can send messages to them directly too.

Create a login, and use the following age group “Class Codes” to join your respective groups:

Guppies: @bluefinsg
6&Under: @bluefins6
7-8: @bluefins7
9-10: @bluefins91
11-12: @bluefins12
13-18: @bluefins13

Please also remember to download the Swimtopia app! You’ll login with the same information you use to login to our Swimtopia website. The $5.99/month subscription is recommended, and you can cancel anytime.

Ordered Suits, Merch, T-Shirts

Any suits or clothes ordered through MI Sports will be here during this upcoming week! We’ll have it available for pickup at practices, and/or porch pickup (text Sarah at 303-902-3150)

Free Team Shirts

Each family receives 1 team shirt. If you did not pick yours up at the Meet 'n Greet, I have each shirt labeled with your family name. They will be available during morning practices, and at the Mock Meet. They are carefully organized in alphabetical order… please keep them neat!

If you registered after May 1, you’re on my list to contact with extras and/or a new order.
I’m gauging interest for extra (purchased) shirts, at $12/each. If you’re interested, watch for a form this coming week.

SAVE the DATES!

Save these key dates as we get rolling this season! (Full event and meet schedule here)

Mock Meet, Friday May 29, 8:30-10:30am (warm-ups at 8:00)
Away Meet @ Hunters Hill, Saturday May 30 (warm-ups at 8:15, Start time 9:00)
Stroke Clinics, 7-8pm (June 3, 10, 17, 24). Registration required!!!
Team Dinner & Park Games! June 5, 6:30pm. Meet Setup following.
Home Meet! June 6
Away Meet @ Hampton Heights, June 13
Team Dinner, June 19, Meet setup following.
Home Meet! June 20
Team Photos: Wednesday, June 24, 8-10am
Team Dinner, June 26, Meet setup following.
Home Meet! June 27