Alrighty, our 2^nd home meet! Here we go!

Arrive by:    6:15am

Warm-Ups:  6:30am

Meet Starts: 7:30am

Meet Prep: Be prepared for this meet to run until 12:00pm. (It will probably finish earlier but don’t plan on it just in case we have any unforeseen delays such as weather.) If you’re wondering what to bring you can use the Meet Preparation page for most of Saturday's information. Be sure to remember extra towels and goggles and plenty of warm clothing.

Weather: We are HOPING that Mother Nature will give us a break and at least hold off on the rain until we finish but don’t count on it! As she has continued to prove this week - Be prepared for rain! Bring your umbrellas, tents, raincoats, ponchos, tarps, etc. And be prepared for the grass and tables to be wet. I’ve just talked with the other parent rep and we are planning on rolling with it unless there is lightning or a torrential downpour that would cause us to pause.

Extra Tents: I’m thinking about our Scoring Table with the computers and our Heating Area. If anyone has any spare tents, we could use them in these areas. I’m not sure that we can get a tent over the Scribes and DJ because of the tree so if you are volunteering for these positions, please bring your umbrellas and raincoats! We will bring plastic and whatever else we can think of to cover this area up!

Warm-Ups: Because of the weather, warm-ups are optional! Coach Emilie will call for them at 6:30am but please know that they are optional and you are welcome to keep your swimmer(s) warm and dry. BUT PLEASE STILL BE ON TIME SO THAT WE CAN GET RELAYS SET-UP! And have your swimmer join the team for the team chant and to touch the Dolphin Sign for Good Luck! (We forgot to do this last week!  Oops!)

Parking: The 3 spots in the SE corner of the lot (closest to the playground) are reserved so please leave those open if you arrive early. If the parking lot is full, you can park anywhere in the neighborhood but please be courteous to our neighbors and don’t block any driveways. Also, do not park around the island entrance at Nome. You can also park at Polton Elementary and walk thru the greenbelt. I am attaching a map so that you can see where Polton is in relation to the pool. It’s just a quick walk through the greenbelt. If you live in the Dam West and can walk, please do so that we can leave as much available parking as possible.

Dam West Seating Area: We will sit in the grassy area on the north side of the pool. It can get pretty crowded so please feel free to sit on the outside of the fence as well -wherever you are comfortable - although please stay on the north side of the pool – we need to be able to find your swimmer(s)! There is a tree there with a little shade but please bring your own tents or umbrellas for shade because the rest of that area is straight up sun! The lounge chairs will be put away so please bring your own chairs. Also, FYI, where the grass meets the concrete will become a marsh so you will definitely want a chair to sit there!

Come prepared with your swimmer's events on their arm and their last name on their back written in sharpie. They will be checking it at the front gate upon entry. If you need help, they can help there.

If you are new to our team you can check out the “Meet Information” and “For Parents” tabs on the website. There is tons of information there designed to help new families.

The “Meet Preparation” page on the website will tell you how to prepare, what to bring, "Marking Your Swimmer", etc. Another useful link is the "FAQs".

IMPORTANT MEET INSTRUCTIONS:

VOLUNTEERS: We’ve had one change and need ONE more Heating Area volunteer for Shift 2. You can either sign-up on the Sign-Up Calendar or contact Candace at [email protected] or 303-947-5363. THANK YOU, EVERYONE! (Also, if you need to change something at this point, please contact Candace directly so she can make the change.)

Timers: You will be asked to double check the swimmer’s name in your lane. Please be sure you have the correct time for the correct swimmer. (This is especially critical when there are a lot of combined events!) You can also help get swimmers to the blocks and remind them to put their goggles on.

Shift Break: The shift change will be after Event 48 – the end of backstroke. There will be an announcement for 2^nd shift so listen for that.

Information Meetings: All information meetings will be held at 7:10 am- please listen for announcements for exact locations and times in case they change. All meetings are for BOTH SHIFTS so regardless of your shift, please show up.

S&T meeting at the Lifeguard stand in the Officials Area.

ALL Timers (1^st and 2^nd shift) grassy area behind the officials

Heating meeting in the heating area (the baby pool area.)

Flyovers: Please remind your swimmer(s) that we will be doing flyovers. What is a flyover? It means at the end of the Freestyle, Butterfly, Breast and IM’s, the swimmers will stay in the water, close to the wall and to the side of the dive block. They should remain quiet and still while the next event begins. Once the next event has entered the pool the Referee will instruct them to exit the pool quickly. (Flyovers are not used for Backstroke or Relays.) TIMERS – this is another place you can help out – reminding them to wait quietly to the side and then making sure they get out quickly when it’s time.

Concessions: There will be breakfast burritos, pop tarts and mini packs of donuts for breakfast choices. There will be hot dogs and hamburgers available for lunch as well as lots of drinks and snacks. Cash is easiest but we do have the means to accept a credit card. If your swimmer has Dolphin Dollars from this season, or past seasons, they can use them here. They are worth 25 cents each.

Watch and Listen for your swimmer's events so they are in heating on time. To figure out which events are in the pool and which are in heating please see the FAQs page under the "For Parents" tab. The Announcer will also be announcing the event numbers every few events so listen carefully!

Meet Programs: Attached are the Meet Program, Individual Entry List and List of the Combined Events. I recommend printing out a copy of the Meet Program, highlighting your swimmers and marking it up with the combinations so you can follow along and see where we are and what’s coming up next.

A copy of the Meet Program will be posted on a giant white board hanging on the fence near our seating area. It will be facing inward towards the pool. It will not be marked up with the combinations.

Event Results: Results will be posted on a white board hanging on the north fence outside of the pool facing the parking lot.  Please check the results periodically and if you notice any discrepancies or problems, please report them to Coach Emilie right away.

Playground: Children should never be there unattended.

Baby Pool: We know it is super tempting to play in the baby pool but please remind your swimmers and younger siblings that the baby pool is closed during meets.

DO NOT leave earlybefore the end of the meet unless you first notify Coach Emilie. You must tell HER. Do not rely on someone else to pass along the message.

Contact Coach Emilie ASAP if for any reason your swimmer cannot make the meet! [email protected] or (970) 376-5362.

Swim Caps: Will be sold at the concession stand. The silicone caps are $15.

Theme: Dolphins in Disguise!

Alright, I think that's all for now.  Everybody think happy, dry thoughts for tomorrow morning and we'll see you bright and early!

Toni

303-579-8667