GENERAL INFORMATION

●MAC is in the Gateway Swim Conference

●Swim practices begin on Monday, June 3, 2024

●The first meet (Time Trials) is Thursday, June 6^th.

●This summer we will have our end-of-year Swim Banquet at the Downtown MAC Monday July 15^th.

●All meets start at 5:30pm. Warm-ups begin at 4:30pm for home meets. Away meet warm-ups are at 5pm.

●Our goal is to keep all meets around 3 hours in length.

IMPORTANT DATES:

●Swim Meet Registration: May 23 – May 31, 2023

●Monday, June 3: Penguin Practice begins

●Tuesday, June 4: Puffins Practice begins (Tues/Wed/Thurs 11:30-12)

●Thursday, June 6: Penguin Time Trials

●Monday June 10: Meet at MAC vs. Cedarmill

●Monday June 17: Meet at MAC vs. Lake of the Woods

●Monday June 24: Meet at MAC vs. Cool Dell

●Thursday, June 27: Meet at Lifetime (Chesterfield) - AWAY 10 & under

●Wednesday July 1: Meet at Washington- AWAY

●July 4 and July 5: NO PRACTICE

●Monday July 8: Meet at Lake Chesterfield- AWAY

●Thursday, July 11: Puffin Meet followed by Spirit Night

●Friday, July 12(evening): Conference for qualifying 11 & up at Cool Dell

●Sat, July 13 (morning): Conference for qualifying 10 & under at Cedarmill

●Monday, July 15 (evening): Swim Banquet/Trophy Presentation at Downtown MAC

Age-Level Practices

8:00-9:00am: 9/10 year olds

9:00-10:00am: 11 & over

10:00-10:45am: 7/8 year olds

10:45-11:15am: 6 and under

PUFFINS (ages 4 and 5) Practice (begins June 4)

11:30am-12pm Tues/Wed/Thur

GOAL:

To allow each swimmer the opportunity to swim the minimum of 3 meets to qualify for conference, WHILE also keeping swim meets around 3 hours long.

DETAILS:

We have the largest swim team in the conference, with more than 200 swimmers. We plan to bring around 120 swimmers to each meet (to keep the meet length down). To ensure a fair opportunity and enjoyable experience, we are asking all families to commit to 3 meets, IN ADDITION TO Time Trials & Conference.

PARENT TASKS

1.Register for 3 swim meets

a.Registration will be open from May 23 9:00am– May 31. Register yes for 3 dual meets. Must register for 1 AWAY meet in July (everyone would love to have all 3 meets at home, but we are trying to be fair). Lifetime meet is a fun meet for 10&under and does not qualify as an AWAY meet.

b.Register Yes or No for Penguin Meet (time trials) – highly encouraged for all, especially new swimmers.

c.To RSVP through the Swimtopia website:

▪Log in & Go to the Schedule tab at the top

▪Click on the Meet for which you are RSVPing

▪Click on the Green Meet Entry button. You will then be able to RSVP for each of your swimmers.

▪*SAVE at the bottom of the page.

▪There is also a NOTES page -- use this to tell us if your swimmer needs to leave early or arrive late - mark the specific time!

d.If families are NOT registered for their 3 selected swim meets by May 31, 2024, they will be assigned to 3 meets based on available space.

e.Swimmers are entered into events based on their readiness to legally swim each stroke, as observed during practices. Please do not submit requests to swim particular events. If you have questions about your child’s progress, email Lauren.

f.Swimmers should get in the habit of checking in with a coach after each race. Please do not leave the meet without checking with Lauren or Tommy.

2.Register to work swim meets. We cannot have meets without parent volunteers. (There are NO buyouts this year.)

a.You must stay for the whole meet if you are working. Please check in at least 20 minutes prior to the meet, inside by the snack bar for home meets.

b.You may not consume alcoholic beverages if you are working.

c.If you are a timer, it is important that you pay attention to the swimmer in your lane. Your times determine places, rankings, and records.

d.All families must work 2 swim meets.

e.Worker sign-ups open May 23 and close 1 week prior to each meet

f.If you have someone to work for you, they must be at least 16 years old. We will not be responsible for finding workers for you.

g.Fines will be charged to your member statement if you no-show for your designated shifts or do not sign up to work shifts: $150 for first shift. $250 for the second shift.

PRACTICES:

●We will follow the schedule posted online/attached. Please be prompt - our practices run continuously, and we cannot allow late swimmers to swim past their scheduled time.

●Please attend practice as many times a week as possible. Swimmers improve the most with regular practice. Attendance will be taken.

●After the first week, lane assignments will be posted each Tuesday on a whiteboard. Please help your child find their lane (it stays the same for the whole week).

●All our coaches are experienced swimmers and very familiar with the MAC swim program. Coaches will change lanes daily. We cannot accommodate requests for particular coaches during practice.

●Please do not approach coaches during practice. Their focus needs to stay on the swimmers for everyone’s safety. Please email Lauren or ask your parent rep if you have any questions.

●Weather -- We WILL practice in the rain. Once thunder or lightning is heard/seen, practice will be paused for 30 minutes. We will not make up any lost practice time.

**HAVE FUN**

This is the theme of our swim program!! The meets run well, and the children have fun because of the awesome parents we have. Encourage your children, pump them up, encourage them to cheer on their teammates. Positive attitudes are contagious on the pool deck!

MISC. Ribbons will be distributed for the 10 and under swimmers this year.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

MAC Programs Manager: Joy Holdmeier: [email protected]

Swim Team Coach: Lauren Fonseca: [email protected]

Swim Team Volunteer Parent Reps: Sarah Wahl & Kayla Alexander: [email protected]