Crocs!

Tomorrow
is our first official meet of the new season as we take on the Stonegators! Once again, trying to pass on a bunch of info that should be helpful. As always on these emails, please read all the way
through - it's long, but it's important!

PEP RALLY:
Our first Pep Rally is tonight at 6!  We'll have pizza, games, and hear from our coaches to get everyone ready for tomorrow.  Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

For the pep rally, if the weather turns bad, watch for email status updates.

SWIM MEET:

MORNING
SETUP/PARKING: This is pretty similar to last week, but please make sure you are familiar.

The gates will be unlocked at 6:15 am for you to come in and set up your tent. No one will be allowed in before 6:15
except the setup crew and board members - they need to get in and start
setting up the facility. Please note that the 'front row' area above
the
retaining wall on the non-block end of the pool is reserved for diamond
and platinum sponsor tents. Otherwise, you are welcome to set up on any
grassy areas inside and outside
the gate area. If you prefer, you can also set up in the west half of the parking lot on the pavement in the case of muddy conditions.  There is no set up allowed on any
paved area around the pool.  (The east half of the parking lot is reserved for the visiting team)

No
parking is allowed in the pool parking lot unless you are a sponsor with
a reserved spot or team computer personnel transporting equipment. The
lot will be
open for drop off of equipment until 6:30 - after that, it will be
closed to traffic for safety reasons. If you arrive after 6:30, please
plan to drop off your equipment at the end of the driveway on Coles
Crossing Drive.

Parking in
the Sampson back lot is easiest. Please observe all NO PARKING signs on
Coles Crossing Drive. We need to be courteous to our non-Croc
neighbors - we don't want visits from law enforcement or tow trucks - we
have especially had issues in the past with blocking Coles Crossing
Drive to thru traffic where it narrows down west of the pool. Also,
please remember it is illegal to park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
and there is one right in front of the pool...

CIRCLE IN BY 7:30 AM:
Each week, all swimmers MUST circle in by 7:30 at the pool to tell the
computer volunteers that they are there. If a
swimmer's name is not circled, the clerk of course assumes they are not
there and they may be scratched from the meet. If you're running late,
contact a friend and get them to circle in for you - you don't want to
show up and find out your swimmer has been scratched!

The circle-in boards will be hanging on the
fence by the bike racks. Swimmers can circle their name (bring a pen or
sharpie) or we can have a volunteer circle your name for you.

OTHER STUFF: If you go to the home
tab on the team website & click on 'meet entry' (even though it says
it's closed), it will have a list of the event #s that your child is
swimming, including relays. It is very helpful to write their event numbers on their arm
with a sharpie (and maybe yours too!) so they can listen for their
events and know when to go to the ready bench to line up.

RELAY ETIQUETTE:  VERY IMPORTANT!!!! If your swimmer is in a relay at the end of the meet, PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE EARLY.  If you do, you will be letting down the other 3 swimmers on the relay team who will have to scratch without you!  If you must leave early, TELL THE COACHES before you leave - if you will do that, they may be able to place a substitute on the relay team so they don't have to scratch.

WARM-UPS
will begin at 7:15 this week, and all future home meets, and they are required for all swimmers. The visiting team will warm up afterward, then we will
do team cheers and start the
meet.

WEATHER- There is a 50% chance of rain and a high of 87 forecast for tomorrow, so be prepared!  The meet will not be paused for rain (unless it's really a serious downpour).  If there is lightning or serious weather, we'll pause the meet to wait for it to pass.  In almost all cases, the meet will resume after any pause due to weather.  If it gets really bad and long, the meet may be paused and resumed another day.  Just listen for announcements and we'll keep everyone informed.  If there is a significant weather delay after event 60, the meet may be declared over due to weather - before event 60, we are required to schedule a continuation at a mutually agreeable time.  And as always, bring plenty of sunscreen and hydrate, hydrate,
hydrate!

VOLUNTEERS- There is no common volunteer check in area. The lead in your area will confirm you
are there for your shift and report back to make sure you get credit. Please listen for the announcer to announce
shift changes, timer/scribe meeting, officials meeting and ready bench
meeting. If you have questions, ask the lead in your area or look for Ashley Yoakem, or come by the announcers area.

CONCESSIONS-
We will be grilling burgers and hot dogs along with having pizza and an
array of snacks and candy along with water,
Gatorade and sodas. We will be accepting cash & credit cards ($5
minimum). We will have the Smart Drinks truck there in the morning with
coffee, tea & smoothies and Bahama Bucks will be there a little bit
later in the morning.

CHECKLIST
for what you should bring: swimmers!!, suits, goggles, caps, sunscreen,
water, a sharpie, towels, tent, chairs, food/snacks (or you can buy
them!) & LOTS of patience!! We have a lot of new families on the
team. PLEASE remember that we are all volunteers and want everything to
run as smoothly and quickly as possible but there will always be some hiccups
along the way.

TIMELINE:
There is an ESTIMATED timeline attached for your general information.
Please note that this is ESTIMATED only! The meet may progress faster
or slower than this estimate, but it should give you a general idea what
to expect.

There is also a Psych sheet showing entries for the meet in each event.  These files can also be found with the meet on the team website.

See you tomorrow, and Go Crocs!!!!