The start of a new session.

This fall, one third of our team is composed of novice swimmers and parents. This is of course very exciting, but it requires a lot more work to get practice organized, particularly in Group 1. In order to make everyone’s experience on the team as best as can be, I will call on all of our more experienced parents to pitch in and help answer questions while on the pool deck at practice or at meets.

One of the challenges of our sport is the fact that the swimmers have to share a small space while practicing their skills. The skills needed to make this happen are a bit more complex than those needed to execute a good stroke. It always makes the beginning of a season a little more chaotic. But remind your little guys and girls that this is only temporary.

A few times a year, I remind everyone how important it is to be on time for swim practice. Other than the obvious, understand that it is very disruptive to organize the lanes for the first 15 minutes of practice, so please do your best to be on time. You can help improve your child’s experience in the water by making sure that your boy’s swimsuit is tied, long hair is tied in a pony tail or held in place with a swim cap and that goggles are properly fitted before swim practice.

So far the kids have been behaving in the locker rooms after practice, and that’s great news. But let’s not relax our vigilance too much. I have already reminded Group 1 and Group 2 to turn the water off once they are done showering! So please go in the locker room and check on your kids. Help them respect the club’s property and keep the showers to a minimum. Please encourage your boys to use the cubbyholes instead of the locker room benches to store their bags and towels.

Last, but not least, remind your kids to wait for you inside the club to be picked-up and not in the parking lot … or on the sidewalk in front of the club.