Mansion House Club

The NVSL has set the dates for training for officials! We need as many officials as we can get. You do not need to have been a swimmer to become an official! Please see the dates below and mark your calendar. The NVSL Officials committee has worked very hard to add more dates and locations for training. Please note that to remain qualified as an official, you need to attend training at least every other year. Questions? Email the NVSL or ask us!  

Sat, May 17th - 8-10AM • New Referee* @ Hunt Valley 

Sat, May 17th – 8-10AM • New/Recertification Stroke and Turn Clinic @ Cottontail 

Sun, May 18th - 8-10AM • New Starter* @ Parklawn 

Weds, May 21st - 7-9PM • Ref/Starter Recertification @ Little Hunting Park 

Saturday, May 31st – 8AM-1PM NVSLU @ Fairfax County Govt Center 12000 Government Center Parkway Fairfax, VA 22035. 

**We will have volunteers in the lobby to direct you to the correct rooms for your clinics.

• NEW Referee Only* @ 8AM 

• NEW Starter Only* @ 8AM 

• Ref/Starter Recertification @ 8AM 

• Stroke and Turn (New and Recert) @ 10:30AM 

• Chief Timer Clinic @ 8:30AM 

• Hy-Tek @ 8AM 

• Table Admin @ 10:30AM 

Wednesday, June 4th - 7PM • Referee/Starter Recertification (Virtual)** 

Sun, Jun 8 8-10AM:

• New Referee/New Starter* (Participants choose either New Ref or New Starter) @ Orange Hunt 

• New/Recertification Stroke and Turn Clinic @ Fox Mill Woods 

• New/Recertification Stroke and Turn Clinic @ Virginia Run 

• New/Recertification Stroke and Turn Clinic @ Tuckahoe 

Tuesday, June 10th - 7PM • Stroke and Turn Recertification (Virtual)**

Wednesday, June 11th - 7PM 

• New/Recertification Stroke and Turn @ High Point Pool 

• New/Recertification Stroke and Turn @ Sully Station 

*New Referee and New Starter clinics are only for those new to the position and cannot be used to recertify. 

**Virtual recertification clinics are for officials who have been certified in the position for a minimum of 5 years. Registration links will be sent to Team Reps and posted on MyNVSL.com by May 1st. Please contact [email protected] with questions.

Calling all junior coaches! MHC Swim Team is hiring for the 2025 Summer Swim Season! We are seeking applicants for Junior Coaches for the 2025 season.

Applications are due NO LATER than 11:59pm on March 23, 2025. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS to this deadline.

REQUIREMENTS:

Age 15+ by 5/27/25

Lifeguard Certified by 5/27/25 (if you are registered for a class this Spring, please include date of class in your application)

Member of the Swim Team by 5/27/25.

Please note: We might be conducting interviews this year to help us form our coaching team. They will likely be conducted over Zoom.

The application form is posted below. Please return it to [email protected].

Come spend your summer at the pool! We can't wait to work with you!

All information below THIS POINT refers to the 2024 summer and 2024-25 Polar Piranhas season.

We want to congratulate our individual All-Stars who competed at the 2024 NVSL Individual All-Star Meet on Saturday, July 27, 2024. Harper Dresch (11-12 girls 50 free), Parker Canfield (11-12 girls 50 back, 11-12 girls 50 fly), Marco Perez (9-10 boys 50 breast), and Logan Dresch (9-10 boys 25 fly) we are so proud of you!

High resolution photos from our team photographer, Karen Lant, are still available for download HERE. They will remain available until August 31 so don’t wait! Also! If you missed the slideshow this year at the banquet you can view it HERE.

In other news, Polar Piranha registration for the 2024-25 winter season is open! Polar Piranhas will meet from 6:00pm-7:00pm at the GW Rec Center starting on September 8, 2024. Registration will remain open until we reach 50 swimmers and then we will move to a waitlist. We are happy to report that both Coach Joel and Coach Morgan will be coaching winter swim! In your email you will find an application for Junior Coaches. If you have an older swimmer (15+) who is interested, please encourage them to apply. We will also consider volunteer coaching spots for swimmers who are currently 14 but will be 15 by next summer and are hoping to get some coaching experience. The following dates will be “no swim” dates: 12/1, 12/22, 12/29, 2/9, 4/20, and 5/11. Questions? You know where to find us!

We still have some spirit wear that has not been picked up. If you ordered some and haven’t gotten it, please let us know. We also have a lot of paper plate awards that were not picked up. The coaches worked very hard on these and they are special! Please make sure to coordinate to get your swimmer(s)’ plates.

Thank you all for a wonderful season! We look forward to seeing you at Polar Piranhas and next summer!

Hard to believe we are in the home stretch of the season - but here's how you know it's true: there is really, Really, REALLY a lot going on this week and next! Keep checking emails and verifying availability, please and thanks. Congrats Piranhas on another great A meet this weekend! It was a really close one. 

This is a particularly big week for our Little Piranhas since it is your final week of practice! See below for kickboard races on Monday before the B meet and for details about the Lollipop Meet on Thursday. Please note that Thursday is the last practice for Little Piranhas. If you want to join in the pancake breakfast next Tuesday (7/16) you are welcome to come! But there will be no practice for LPs that day. 

Reminder for the B Meet: Please park at the far end of the lot or in the neighborhood to leave space for our guests. Also we will start with IM followed by the regular stroke order. 

Please mark your swimmer(s) availability for the final A Meet, the IM meet, and Divisionals NOW. For IM and Divisionals we have to bid in swimmers for open lanes and need to know who can swim ASAP.

WEEK 7: July 8 – July 14

B Meet

• July 8: B Meet #5 vs. Waynewood @ MHC: 6:00pm. Swimmers arrive NLT 4:45. Warmups @ 5:00. Set up volunteers arrive 4:30 (if possible) Other volunteers arrive NLT 5:30 (first shift) or 6:45 (second shift).
• PLEASE REMEMBER TO LEAVE THE CLOSER PARKING FOR OUR GUESTS! Please park beyond the tennis courts unless you have reserved parking so our guests don’t have to hunt for parking in the neighborhood.
• At this meet we will offer kickboard races for our Little Piranhas! If your LP wants to swim, please come to the pool NLT 5:00 ready to go! Please have your swimmer(s) wear whatever suit they are most comfortable swimming in (one piece suits for girls and jammer style for boys preferred), bring a towel and goggles. If you have a kickboard, you can bring it, or use one of ours! Kickboard racers will go to clerk of course at 5:20 and races start at 5:40. You are welcome to stay after and watch the meet, or head home. Questions? Let us know!
• For the main team parents, lucky you - still a few volunteer slots left! Thanks to those who have already signed up. We still need: OPEN SLOTS GO HERE Sign up HERE!
• NOTE: We are starting with IM this week! So if your swimmer is not swimming IM, they will likely have time for a snack between warmups and individual events. Please plan accordingly. After IM we will follow the regular order of free, back, breast, and fly (if we get there).

• July 9: Ice Cream for Breakfast! Team breakfast after each age-group practice. We also have a special fun day activity this week, so make sure to come!
• Swim Team will supply ice cream
• Swimmers, plan to bring a favorite topping. Unopened packaging vastly preferred, unless it's fresh fruit.
• Volunteers, of course, are needed. Check out SwimTopia, or just show up 15-20 minutes before the end of your swimmer's age group.

• July 10: All-Star Relay Carnival, Rutherford (qualified swimmers only)
• All-star relay swimmers – Big CONGRATULATIONS to our 11-12 girls medley relay on their qualification for All Stars! We are so proud! Stay in touch, we will coordinate warmups and carpools.
• July 11: Lollipop Invitational Mini Meet, 8 & under and Little Piranhas vs. MVYC, 9:00 am.
• This is your meet, Little Piranhas and 8 and unders! Don’t miss the culminating event of the LP season. We are welcoming our neighborhood friends from the Mount Vernon Yacht Club.
• This is also the final day of practice for Little Piranhas!
• Parents of all LP swimmers, plan to stay for the meet and cheer on your swimmer. LPs and 8 and unders should come to the pool by 8:15 am
• 8 and Unders are also eligible to participate in this meet! Freestyle and Backstroke only. There is no regular 8 and under practice on Thursday, so plan to come a bit early and swim in the meet!
• The meet will be staffed by swimmers ages 9+up. Official uniform (blue shorts/skirt, white top) encouraged! Swimmers will need to find a coach when they arrive to sign up for a job.
• Arrive: 8:15am, ALL AGE GROUPS (13+ should come at their regular practice time of 7:30 and plan to stay and help with the meet).
• July 12: Pep Rally: Olympics@ 6pm.
• Pot Luck Dinner! Bring a dish to share. Bring water or Gatorade for your swimmer(s). Please no soda.
• Last Name A-H (Dessert – cookies, brownies, etc)
• Last Name I-O (Main – meat, pasta, etc)
• Last Name P-Z (Side – veggies, fruit, etc)
• Details about the pep rally to come from coaches during practice! Come eat, play games, participate in the costume contest, and bond with the team. This will be a fun one! This is also our LAST PEP RALLY of the 2024 season. Everyone (including LPs) welcome! This is not just for A meet swimmers!
• Please note that this is NOT a drop off event for swimmers 10 and under. Stick around and meet/mingle with other parents. It makes swim team way more fun.
• July 13: A Meet #5 vs. Camelot Community Club Knights @ Camelot: Caravan from MHC exact time tbd but around 7:00am. Selected swimmers only; more information to come as to who is swimming and what you need to know. Watch your email! If your swimmer cannot attend (no matter their age group or level, excluding Little Piranhas), please mark that in SwimTopia TODAY.
• July 14: Swim Team Prom, ages 13+ only (Swimmers must be swimming as a 13-14 or 15-18 this summer to attend), 5:00 – 9:00, Dinner at the Mount Vernon on the Potomac marina, dessert at MHC. No date or corsage needed! Dinner and dessert will be served. Attire: think summer garden party. Accessories: Swimsuit & towel. Details: To come! Please check Swimtopia for volunteer slots.

WEEK 8: July 15 – July 20

Practice:

Morning Practices July 15, 16 for everyone; July 17-19 Divisionals swimmers only. Regular practice times (even for Divisionals swimmers)

No Afternoon Practices this week

• July 15: Fort Hunt IM Invitational @ Waynewood, 5:00. Select swimmers only; please mark availability and choose a volunteer spot! email to come.
• July 16: Fun Day and Pancake Breakfast, Volunteers: we need griddles and parents/caregivers to cook up some hot cakes for hungry kids!
• July 16: Last day of practice for non-Divisionals swimmers. Divisionals swimmers meet with Coaches to choose strokes.
• July 17-19 Divisionals swimmers' practice. Practice continues for those swimmers who have qualified for Divisionals. Regular age group practice times.
• July 20: Divisionals @ Arlington Forest, 8:00 – 3:00 (approx). Select swimmers only; VERY IMPORTANT that we know your swimmer(s) availability now.
• July 20: End of Season Awards Banquet @ MHC, 6:00 – 9:00.
• All swimmers, siblings, and families welcome!
• A kid-friendly buffet dinner & dessert will be provided.
• Please RSVP via SwimTopiaand indicate number of attendees, so we can accurately estimate food.
• Join us for awards, camaraderie, and the legendary MHC Swim Slide Show! We promise to give you the happy cries.
• Please post your *high-res* pictures of your amazing swimmers or swim team events to the shared Google drive here:
  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KRq3NhXsNBPM-kY5pu8Iv0K-nLLZPXzQ?usp=sharing
• Attire: Beachy casual / picnic chic

UPDATES and REMINDERS

• Post-Event Clean-Up: Whether it's an A Meet, a B Meet, a Pep Rally, or a team breakfast and whether you stay till the end or leave as your swimmer is finished, PLEASE REMEMBER:
• How we leave our team area is a direct reflection of who we are. ALL SWIMMERS should leave their immediate areas free of trash and looking orderly.
• Clean up is our responsibility and not that of the lifeguards. This goes for all swim team events. Please be respectful.
• PiranhaThon: Congratulations and THANK YOU, Piranha Nation! Your generosity allowed us to raise over $2,200 for Cure Search. We are closing out with 99 Pledges later this week but there is still time to donate if you would like. Even if you didn’t participate in the swim. Click HERE to donate.

• Team Photos: Are here! If you had photos taken of your swimmer and have not received an email from Briar Creek Photography, first check your spam folder. Next, reach out to Georgi at [email protected].
• Mark SWIMMER and VOLUNTEER availability please and thanks! It’s summer & plans shift — if yours have, please update on SwimTopia!
• Pool use before 11am when the pool opens: Nope! No kids or adults in the main pool outside of practice until the pool opens at 11am. This includes lap swimming for adults. No exceptions. Kids 6 and under can swim in the baby pool ONLY with direct parent supervision.

I don’t want to alarm anyone but we are officially more than halfway through our season! Congrats on another great A meet! It was a tough loss but we were very proud of all of our swimmers efforts and more importantly of their excellent sportsmanship. 

**Also! A parent misplaced a black and red mastercard at the meet on Saturday. If you happened to pick it up, please return it to the swim reps or to the owner. Thank you!

The next two weeks have lots of fun in store for the entire Piranha nation. Here’s an overview of what we have lined up for you – corresponding details below:

• Monday, June 24: B Meet vs. Little Hunting Park @ LHP
• Tuesday, June 25: Team breakfast & Penny Dive
• Wednesday, June 26: Divisional Relay Carnival @ Sully Station
• Friday, June 28: Red Carpet Pep Rally
• Saturday, June 29: A Meet #3 vs. Sully Station @ MHC
• Monday, July 1: B Meet vs. Highland Park @ HP
• Tuesday, July 2: Team breakfast
• Thursday, July 4.Piranhathon fundraiser 8-10am.
• Friday, July 5: Winter Holiday in July Pep Rally
• Saturday, July 6: A Meet #4 vs. Arlington Forest @ MHC Senior Day

WEEK 5: June 24 – June 29

Practice:

Morning Practices (preferred)

• 13+: 7:30am-9:00am
• 9-12: 8:45-10:00am
• 8 and under: 9:45-10:30
• Little Piranhas: 10:00-10:30 OR 10:30-11:00 (you should already have your assigned groups)

• Please remember that 8 and under and Little Piranha swimmers may not be dropped off for practice without a caregiver. Older siblings must be 13+ to qualify as a supervisor for younger siblings. This is for your swimmer(s) safety. For older swimmer(s) please use your judgment about whether you should drop off or stay.

Afternoon Practices (Not an extra practice! Please only use these if you have a conflict with morning practice (a desire to sleep in does not constitute a conflict. We only have 2 lanes for this practice, so please be considerate)).

• Tuesday & Thursday: All ages EXCEPT LPs. 5:00-6:00pm (NOTE: No afternoon practice on Wednesday due to Divisional Relays)
• Sign-up on Swimtopia and update there if you cannot come. Please do not just no-show
• No coaches in the water at these practices, so plan accordingly based on your swimmer(s) skill level.
• Please remember that 8 and under swimmers may not be dropped off for practice without a caregiver. Older siblings must be 13+ to qualify as a supervisor for younger siblings. This is for your swimmer(s) safety. For older swimmer(s) please use your judgment about whether you should drop off or stay.

B Meet

• June 24: B Meet #3 vs. Little Hunting Park @ LHP 7000 Canterbury Lane, Alexandria, VA 22307: 6:00pm. Swimmers arrive NLT 5:00. Warmups @ 5:20. Volunteers arrive NLT 5:20 (first shift) or 6:45 (second shift).

June 25: Team Breakfast and Penny Dive

Divisional Relay Carnival!

June 26: Divisional Relay Carnival, 6:30pm, Sully Station, selected swimmers only

• MARK SWIMMER AVAILABILITY, this is especially important for this meet. It is the only chance for relays to qualify for All Star Relays and it is a scored meet. So we want to put our best foot forward!

Friday June 28: Important reminder: If your swimmer(s) is in the A meet, please please please keep them out of the sun and heat on the Friday before the meet. This is a great time for indoor play, movies, etc to rest up. We saw a lot of kids really tired this past Saturday and our next two meets will be close ones! Rest up to swim fast!

June 28: Pep Rally: Red Carpet, 6pm, potluck. Please have food and swimmers there AT 6:00 so we can start promptly and get everyone home promptly

• Pot Luck Dinner! Bring a dish to share. Bring water or Gatorade for your swimmer(s). Please no soda.
• Last Name A-H (Main – meat, pasta, etc)
• Last Name I-O (Side – veggies, fruit, etc)
• Last Name P-Z (Dessert – cookies, brownies, etc)

June 29: A Meet #3 vs. Sully Station Supersonic Transporters @ Mansion House: MHC warmups at 8am, setup volunteers at 7am, concessions volunteers at 7:30, other volunteers NLT 8am. Selected swimmers only; more information to come as to who is swimming and what you need to know. Watch your email! If your swimmer cannot attend (no matter their age group or level, excluding Little Piranhas), please mark that in SwimTopia TODAY.

WEEK 6: July 1 – July 6

July 1: B Meet vs. Highland Park @ HP 6406 Telegraph Road, Alexandria VA 22310: 5:20 warm ups. Info to come but please mark availability and pick a volunteer job now!

July 2: Team Breakfast HELP! Volunteers needed to set up, supervise, and clean up breakfast. Donations to share are welcome! You guessed it – sign up via SwimTopia

July 4: The Annual Piranha-Thon! 8:00 – 10:00am. Each year, the Piranha Nation takes a day to give back to our community by swimming for donations to a local charity.

• This is an optional, all-family event that is geared toward fun & fitness along with community support.
• We select a meaningful (to our team) charity to support each year (and are still deciding).
• It’s simple: Show up, swim a few laps or a lot, that’s all! (Parents & caregivers too.)
• A donation of any amount (online, cash, or check) is required to participate. Ask friends, family, and neighbors for a flat or fee-per-lap donation.
• Additional details about online donations to come.

July 5: Pep Rally: Winter Holiday in July @ 6pm. Information to come.

July 6: Senior Day A Meet #4 vs. Arlington Forest Gators @ MHC: 8am warmups. Update your swimmer & volunteer availability please and thanks! Information to come.

UPCOMING EXTRA VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Note that all sign-up times in SwimTopia are approximate or placeholders. Much of this work can be done in advance, on your own time.

SENIOR DAY: Saturday, July 6, during the A meet We need 1-2 volunteers to help coordinate the Seniors and their families for their senior day celebration near the end of the meet (before the relays). No experience necessary!

LOLLIPOP MEET: Sweetest meet of the year! Got an 8 and under or LP? Help us make it fun! The social committee would love your help.

SWIM PROM: Sunday, July 14, 6–9pm.This is a social event for swimmers age 13+up, location TBD. Our social committee would love extra hands!

DIVISIONAL FAIRIES: NLT Friday, July 19

• Item purchase and prep for delivery to all Divisionals swimmers.
• Our social committee is working on this but are happy for help!

END OF SEASON BANQUET: Saturday, July 20, 6–9pm, MHC pavilion.

• Social committee can always use more hands!
• Contact a rep if you’re interested in helping, and for more info. Slots available for on SwimTopia!!

REMINDERS

Pool use before 11amwhen the pool opens: Kids are NOT ALLOWED in the main pool outside of practice until the pool opens at 11am. No kids or adults in the main pool outside of practice until the pool opens at 11am. This includes lap swimming for adults and swim lessons. No exceptions. There are no lifeguards and we could be significantly fined by the county. Kids 6 and under can swim in the baby pool ONLY with direct parent supervision.

If your swimmer will be attending afternoon practices:

• Signups must be made in advance via SwimTopia to indicate attendance. Practices will be held only if one or more swimmer signs up.
• Please don’t no-show. If you are not coming to the afternoon practice you signed up for, please update your sign-up as soon as you know.
• This is not an additional practice. If your swimmer was already at morning practice we will send them home 😊

Post-Event Clean-Up: Whether it's an A Meet, a B Meet, a Pep Rally, or a team breakfast and whether you stay till the end or leave as your swimmer is finished, PLEASE REMEMBER:

• How we leave our team area is a direct reflection of who we are. ALL SWIMMERS should leave their immediate areas free of trash and looking orderly.
• Clean up is our responsibility and not that of the lifeguards. This goes for all swim team events. Please be respectful.

So, SO *SO* much going on the next few weeks. We are endlessly grateful, dear citizens of this Piranha Nation, for your volunteer help thus far, and to come. We depend on YOU to make the season run smoothly – many, MANY, *MANY* thanks!!

Happy Sunday, Piranha Nation!!

Congrats on an excellent Time Trials meet! Results and our first ladder are attached! On the results you will see some swimmers with a DQ. Please don’t be discouraged! It is very, very, early in the season and everyone is rusty. Our beloved coaches were watching and taking notes (and will check DQ slips) so they can work with swimmers on specific issues. Most are super easy to fix! That said, we had fun, and we hope swimmers & their families did too 🙂 Lots of info to cover for this week and next, but a couple important things first!

• Starting with the B meet tomorrow, and for the remainder of the season referees will start enforcing some important rules at meets:

• Swimmers may not wear athletic tape while they are swimming. If you have questions let us know.
  
  • Swimmers may not wear caps with logos from other teams. We know that we haven’t gotten this year’s caps out yet (coming this week!). If your swimmer has to wear a cap from another team please turn it inside out.
  • Swimmers may not wear suits that tie, zip, etc.
  • Swimmers generally may not wear shirts (including rash guards) while racing. This applies to boys and girls. If you have a modesty concern, or otherwise, please let us know and we can talk about how to handle that with the NVSL.
  • All of the above are part of the USA Swimming and NVSL rules. We would never want a swimmer to have a great race only to be DQed for a gear violation. We also don’t want swimmers to be shaken or embarrassed by having to change at a meet!
• WE NEED MORE HELP!! Our concessions team needs more help! We have added extra slots for the B meet tomorrow, but we need people to grill, to take orders, and to take money. This will make the process faster and much more efficient for everyone. We also need more hands to help clean up at concessions. We were there a solid 2 hours after the meet yesterday. Many hands make light work and we need some of yours!
• On Saturday June 22, we are in need of someone to run the computer at the home A meet. You do not need formal training. But both of our experienced data people are unavailable and we need help! We will teach you what to do. It would be extremely helpful if you can come to the B meet tomorrow and the A meet next Saturday to learn from our experts.
• Okay now the fun stuff. Please keep reading!

WEEK 3: June 10 – June 15

Practice:

AFTER SCHOOL PRACTICES continue Tuesday – Wednesday, same schedule (no practice Monday due to B meet.)

• 13+up: 4:00 – 5:00pm
• 9–12: 5:00 – 6:00pm
• 8+under: 5:45 – 6:30pm
• Please remember that 8 and under swimmers may not be dropped off for practice without a caregiver. Older siblings must be 13+ to qualify as a supervisor for younger siblings. This is for your swimmer(s) safety. For older swimmer(s) please use your judgment about whether you should drop off or stay.

Morning Practices and LPs start Thursday June 13

• 13+: 7:30am-9:00am
• 9-12: 8:45-10:00am
• 8 and under: 9:45-10:30
• Little Piranhas: 10:00-10:30 OR 10:30-11:00 (we will assign to groups)

• Please remember that 8 and under and Little Piranha swimmers may not be dropped off for practice without a caregiver. Older siblings must be 13+ to qualify as a supervisor for younger siblings. This is for your swimmer(s) safety. For older swimmer(s) please use your judgment about whether you should drop off or stay.

B MEET

• June 10: B Meet #1 vs Hollin Meadows @ MHC: 6:00pm. Swimmers arrive NLT 4:45. Warmups @ 5:00. Set up volunteers arrive 4:30 (if possible) Other volunteers arrive NLT 5:30 (first shift) or 6:45 (second shift).
  • SO MANY volunteer slots left! We know it is hard on Mondays (especially with school still in session) Thanks to those who have already signed up. We still need: 1 Stroke and Turn judge for B shift (must be NVSL trained last year or this year), 1 Marshal for B shift, Assistant Clerk of Course for both shifts, LOTS MORE Concessions help (like lots), 2 more people for Data (no experience necessary), 2 more runners for B shift (more runners=faster meet, no actual running necessary), and at least 2 more people to help with set up. Sign up HERE!
  • Swimmers: NOTE that although SwimTopia might indicate meet entries are closed, this is just for data management. Undeclared/un-entered swimmers may absolutely still swim! Let a rep know, or just arrive & coaches can write you in.
  • Suggested pack list: team suit, or green or black suit; team cap (NO caps with other team logos allowed); 2 towels; healthy snacks & lots of water; sunscreen, optional hat/sunglasses; card games or travel activities; spirit wear & green accessories.
  • Once the meet begins, swimmers must stick to the team area so they don't miss an event or slow the meet down. This is a safety issue. Parents if your kid comes to find you, make sure they told a coach where they are and then return them to the team area ASAP. Oh hey, this one’s important so we’ll say it again: Swimmers, stick to the team area! Let a coach know if you leave!
  • Swimmers can leave the meet when they are finished swimming. HOWEVER, please let a coach know you are leaving before you go.
  • Leave cell phones/electronics/valuables at home, or keep them secured inside your bags. We cannot be responsible for any valuables in the team area.
  • Concessions will be open! Please visit and eat. Please be sure that your swimmers save candy or soda for AFTER they finish swimming. Please also be sure to send your swimmer back to the team area to eat.
  • One more note about the team area: Parents must NOT be in the team area unless they have signed up on the volunteer slot for a “team parent” if you want to help out! Otherwise please keep your kids in and yourself out! (It is a crowd control and safety issue).
  • Safety note: Photos and videos are NOT ALLOWED behind the start (so behind the timers or at the far end of the pool in the 25m events). Please move to the side to take photos and videos. It’s a better view anyway!

Pep Rally

• June 14: Pep Rally: Wild West!, 6-8pm.

• Pot Luck Dinner! Bring a dish to share. Bring water or Gatorade for your swimmer(s). Please no soda.
• Last Name A-H (Side – veggies, fruit, etc)
• Last Name I-O (Dessert – cookies, brownies, etc)
• Last Name P-Z (Main – meat, pasta, etc)
• Dress in your finest western wear! Come eat, play games, participate in the costume contest, and bond with the team! Everyone (including LPs) welcome! This is not just for A meet swimmers!
• We will also be decorating cars for the caravan to the A meet!
• Please note that this is NOT a drop off event for swimmers 10 and under. Stick around and meet/mingle with other parents. It makes swim team way more fun.
• Clean up!! Please be sure that your swimmers clean up after themselves and that you do as well. It is not the lifeguards’ job to clean up after us. If you don’t clean up we will not be able to continue to have these fun events!

A Meet

• June 15: A Meet #1 vs. Villa Gorillas @ Villa Aquatic: Caravan from MHC exact time tbd but around 7:00am. Selected swimmers only; more information to come as to who is swimming and what you need to know. Please mark availability now and no later than Tuesday. Watch your email on Thursday for a notice of whether/what your swimmer may be swimming! If your swimmer cannot attend (no matter their age group or level, excluding Little Piranhas), please mark that in SwimTopia TODAY.

WEEK 4: June 17 – June 22

Practice:

Morning Practices

• 13+: 7:30am-9:00am
• 9-12: 8:45-10:00am
• 8 and under: 9:45-10:30
• Little Piranhas: 10:00-10:30 OR 10:30-11:00 (we will assign to groups)

• Please remember that 8 and under and Little Piranha swimmers may not be dropped off for practice without a caregiver. Older siblings must be 13+ to qualify as a supervisor for younger siblings. This is for your swimmer(s) safety. For older swimmer(s) please use your judgment about whether you should drop off or stay.

Afternoon Practices

• Tuesday-Thursday: All ages EXCEPT LPs. 5:00-6:00pm
• Sign-up on Swimtopia and update there if you cannot come. Please do not just no-show
• No coaches in the water at these practices, so plan accordingly based on your swimmer(s) skill level.
• Please remember that 8 and under swimmers may not be dropped off for practice without a caregiver. Older siblings must be 13+ to qualify as a supervisor for younger siblings. This is for your swimmer(s) safety. For older swimmer(s) please use your judgment about whether you should drop off or stay.

B MEET

• June 17 -B Meet #2 vs Riverside Gardens @MHC: 5pm warmups. Information to come. Mark availability HERE.
  • Wear green and white and come ready to cheer and help.
  • Warm-ups at 5:00pm, meet starts at 6:00pm
  • MARK SWIMMER AVAILABILITY and select swimmer events as soon as possible! Same link, different meet, super easy. This is the single most significant thing you can do to support reps & coaches – thanks in advance! 😊
  • MARK VOLUNTEER AVAILABILITY while you’re there. Basically, ditto. Meets don’t happen without volunteers.
  • Not sure what to bring or what your swimmer needs? Check Meets 101 on SwimTopia! Lots of great info there.
• June 18- Team Pictures! Brush your teeth and comb your hair! We will need a few parents to assist the photographer. She typically offers a discount so sign up early on Swimtopia to help! No practice after photos.
• June 21 - Pep Rally: Disney! @ 6pm. Potluck. Information to come.
• June 22 - A Meet #2 vs. Lakeview @ MHC: 8am warmups. Select swimmers only. Please mark availability now! Details next week.

REMINDERS AND YOUR TO-DO LIST! Lucky you, we make it easy. All you have to do is…

• MARK SWIMMER AVAILABILITY if you haven’t already. Help us out and click here now to mark swimmer availability for future meets. No answer = not available = not swimming. (For A meets and relays. B meets can just show up!)
• MARK VOLUNTEER AVAILABILITY while you’re there. Like what you did at Time Trials? Awesome, do it again! Want to try a different volunteer post? Also awesome – check out descriptions right here.
• Pool use before 11am when the pool opens: Kids are NOT ALLOWED in the main pool outside of practice until the pool opens at 11am. No kids or adults in the main pool outside of practice until the pool opens at 11am. This includes lap swimming for adults. No exceptions. There are no lifeguards and we could be significantly fined by the county. Kids 6 and under can swim in the baby pool ONLY with direct parent supervision.
• Get familiar with the SwimTopia website! Chances are, answers and clarifications can be found there—swim meets 101, volunteer job descriptions, pep rally descriptions, full season calendar, team handbook. Don’t see it there? Let us know – we’re always revising.

This is important so we will say it again: Post-Event Clean-Up: Whether it's an A Meet, a B Meet, a Pep Rally, or a team breakfast and whether you stay till the end or leave as your swimmer is finished, PLEASE REMEMBER:

• How we leave our team area/the pavilion is a direct reflection of who we are. ALL SWIMMERS should leave their immediate areas free of trash and looking orderly.
• Clean up is our responsibility and not that of the lifeguards. This goes for all swim team events. Please be respectful.

We’re loving the chance to get to know new families and reconnect with returning swimmers. Thanks for making it fun so far! 

THIS WEEK ON THE

MANSION HOUSE SWIM TEAM

2024 SWIM SCHEDULE

Week #1

May 27 - 3-5pm Meet the Coaches and purchase team swimsuits and gear (Sport Fair will be at the pool with suits, goggles, and fins for sale)

5pm – Parent Meeting on back deck (behind the tetherball)

May 28 - After School Practices Begin: Tuesday-Friday

13&Up: 4-5pm

9-12yo:5-6pm

8&Under: 5:45-6:30pm

May 28-30 – Gear swap (free!) and vintage t-shirt sale ($5 each cash only) – during practices 4:30-6:30 (approx.)

June 1 – Officials training: NVSLU Fairfax County Government Center 12000 Government Center Parkway Fairfax, VA 22035. The NVSL will be holding a whole slew of officials training clinics. If you are willing and available, you can get trained as an on-deck official, data coordinator, etc. All details are available at https://www.mynvsl.com/.

Week #2 -

June 3-7 - After School Practices Continue: Monday-Friday

13&Up: 4-5pm

9-12yo:5-6pm

8&Under: 5:45-6:30pm

June 7 – Green Out Pep Rally: @ 6:30pm

June 8 - Time Trials @ Mansion House at 8:30am

2024 NVSL Clinic Schedule (Note that training is required a minimum of every 2 years for Ref, Starter, and Stroke and Turn. Other trainings (Hytek, Chief Timer, Table Admin might be helpful and are encouraged but are NOT required!)

ALL CLINICS START ON TIME, RAIN OR SHINE. NO COST FOR THE CLINICS AND NO REGISTRATION FOR THE IN-PERSON CLINICS IS NECESSARY. IF YOU ARRIVE MORE THAN 10 MINUTES LATE FOR A CERTIFICATION CLINIC OR DEPART BEFORE ITS CONCLUSION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT FOR ATTENDING. 

New Referee, Referee/Starter, New Starter, and Stroke & Turn Clinics are 2 hours in length. 

Please check mynvsl.com for any changes in schedule 

Sat, May 18th - 8-10AM 

• New Referee* @ Village West – new location

• New Starter* @ Great Falls 

*New Referee and New Starter clinics are only for those new to the position and cannot be used to recertify. 

Sun, May 19th - 8-10AM 

• New/Recertification Stroke and Turn Clinic @ High Point Pool 

• New/Recertification Stroke and Turn Clinic @ Hayfield Farm 

Weds, May 22nd - 7-9PM 

• Ref/Starter Recertification @ Rolling Valley 

• Ref/Starter Recertification @ Stratford 

Saturday, June 1st – 8AM-1PM 

NVSLU @ Fairfax County Govt Center 12000 Government Center Parkway Fairfax, VA 22035. 

**We will have volunteers in the lobby to direct you to the correct rooms for your clinics. 

• NEW Referee Only* @ 8AM 

• NEW Starter Only* @ 8AM 

• Ref/Starter Recertification @ 8AM 

• Stroke and Turn (New and Recert) @ 10:30AM 

• Chief Timer Clinic @ 8:30AM 

• Hy-Tek @ 8AM 

• Table Admin @ 10:30AM 

*New Referee and New Starter clinics are only for those new to the position and cannot be used to recertify. 

Wednesday, June 5th - 7PM 

• Referee/Starter Recertification (Virtual)** 

Sun, Jun 9 

S&T Clinics 8-10AM • New/Recertification Stroke and Turn Clinic @ Little Hunting Park 

• New/Recertification Stroke and Turn Clinic @ Kings Ridge 

• New/Recertification Stroke and Turn Clinic @ Sully Station II 

• New/Recertification Stroke and Turn Clinic @ Wakefield Chapel Tuesday, June 11th - 7PM 

• Stroke and Turn Recertification (Virtual)** Wednesday, June 12th - 7PM 

• New/Recertification Stroke and Turn @ Sully Station 

**Virtual recertification clinics are for officials who have been certified in the position for a minimum of 5 years. 

Registration links will be sent to Team Reps and posted on MyNVSL.com by May 1st. Please contact [email protected] with questions.

It’s time Piranha People!! Registration for the MHC Swim Team 2024 season is OPEN! Register your swimmers HERE no later than 11:59 pm on April 30 to save $25 and get a personalized cap. Please use the discount code EARLY to save $25. (Good until 11:59 pm April 30, 2024.) (Any swimmers registered after April 30 will get a non-personalized cap while supplies last.) Registration for MHC Swim Team is on our SwimTopia site NOT the main MHC site.

Please note that you must be MHC members (or lessors) in good standing in order to register your child(ren) for swim team. This is an NVSL requirement and cannot be waived.

FAQs:

Age: swimmers must be between the ages of 4 and 18 as of June 1, 2024. (PLEASE NOTE: swim team is not a learn-to-swim program. If you have a young swimmer/little piranha we will conduct an evaluation to be sure they can be safe in the water. Evaluations will be held Sunday, May 19 during Polar Piranha Practice (details to come).)

Practice: After-school practices begin on 5/28/24 (see times on SwimTopia website); Morning practices begin on 6/13/24. (Start dates and times for LPs are TBD. Likely to begin on 6/13/24 in the morning.)

Cost: Please note that these are the costs as of 5/1/24. Register HERE before that (with code EARLY entered at checkout) to get $25 off your first swimmer!

First swimmer: $205

Second swimmer: $105

Third swimmer: $80

Fourth (and subsequent) swimmer: $55

Family maximum: $450

Summer’s coming. Can’t wait to see you on deck! Eat ’em up Piranhas!

Questions? Contact the Mansion House Swim Reps at

[email protected]

NVSLU Officials Training will be on Saturday June 1 from 8am-1pm (sessions will generally be only 1 hour each. You won't need to be there the whole day!). More information about exact sessions and times to come.

We especially need more starters and stroke and turn judges. Please consider getting certified! We cannot run meets without officials! 

Hey there! Any posts below here are from a PREVIOUS SEASON and are out of date! Please look above or to the right for up to date information. Thanks!

Polar Piranha registration for the 2023-24 winter season is open! Polar Piranhas will meet from 7:00pm-8:00pm at the GW Rec Center starting on September 10, 2023. (We know this is not everyone's first choice of time, but it is what we were assigned). Registration will remain open until we reach 50 swimmers and then we will move to a waitlist. We will begin accepting coach applications in about a week and a half. If you have an older swimmer (15+) who is interested, please encourage them to apply. We will also consider volunteer coaching spots for swimmers who are currently 14 but will be 15 by next summer and are hoping to get some coaching experience. Information about no swim dates to come. Questions? You know where to find us!

WEEK 8 July 17: Fort Hunt IM Invitational, 5:00, Hayfield Farm Swim Club. Select swimmers see targeted email July 18: Fun Day and Pancake Breakfast Send your swimmer with their favorite pancake topping, we supply the rest!  As always, volunteers needed and welcome!  July 18: Last day of practice for non-Divisionals swimmers  July 19: Last day for photos for swim banquet slide show. July 19: Applications for NCAP partial scholarships due. July 19-20: Divisionals notifications. July 22: Divisionals!! Truro Homes Association Pool, 4146 Elizabeth Lane, Annandale, 8:00 – 3:00. July 22: Swim Team Banquet and Awards, 6:00 – 10:00.  Bring or wear swimsuit & towel — the pool will be open for night swimming after the conclusion of the slide show. NOTE that there are no afternoon practices this week

Week 6: July 3 - July 9

• July 3: B Meet vs. Highland Park @ MHC
  • Swimmers arrive 4:30
  • Set-up volunteers at 4:30; all other A shift workers 5:00; B shift workers 7:15
  • Little Piranha Kickboard Races! Swimmers arrive NLT 5:15, races start 5:40

• July 4: The Annual PiranhaThon! 9:00 –11:00.
  • This is an optional, all-family event that is geared toward fun & fitness along with charitable support.
  • See PiranhaThon email or talk to a rep for details and more information.
  • A donation of any amount (online preferred; cash or check accepted) is required to participate.
• July 4: Mansion House Family Celebration, 12:00 – 4:00. Live music, obstacle course, food & ice cream trucks, beer and hot dogs, belly flop contest, and more.
• July 5 & 6: Optional/make-up Afternoon Practice, 5:00 – 6:00.
• July 7: Pep Rally: TROPICAL!!@ 6pm. Potluck by last name:
  • A - I: Dessert
  • J - P: Main dish
  • Q - Z: Side dish

• July 8: A Meet vs. Waynewood @ MHC, 9am.
  • Senior recognition day!

WEEK 7: July 10 – July 16

• July 10: B Meet @ Waynewood.
• July 11: Ice Cream for Breakfast! Team supplies the ice cream, you bring your favorite toppings!
• July 11 & 13: Optional/make-up Afternoon Practice, 5:00 – 6:00.
• July 12: NVSL All-Star Relay Carnival.
• July 13: Lollipop Meet, 9:00.
• July 13: Last Day for Little Piranhas!
• July 14: Pep Rally: DECADES! @ 6pm.
• July 15: A Meet @ Holmes Run Acres, 9am.
• July 16: Swim Prom, 6:00. Ages 13+ exclusively. Detailed info for eligible swimmers to come via targeted email.

WEEK 4: June 19 – 25

MORNING PRACTICES and LITTLE PIRANHAS begin:

• 13+up: 7:30 –9:00
• 9–12: 8:45 –10:00
• 8+under: 9:45 – 10:45
• Little Piranhas: 10:45 –11:30

June 19:B Meet #2 @ Riverside Gardens: 8633 Buckboard Dr.

• 6pm. Warm-ups: 5:25. Swimmers and Volunteers arrive no later than 5:10

June 20-Team Breakfast #1 (donuts) & Penny Dive after each age group practice

• Feel free to bring fruit or juice/sports drink to share per age group

June 20 and 22: Potomac Marlins Technique Clinic, 11:00: for swimmers ages 9&up

June 20, 22: Optional/Make-up afternoon practice, 5:00-6:00. For swimmers who are in 8 and under practice groups and up. No LPs please!

June 21: Fort Hunt Sportsman Relay Carnival: 6pm, Stratford Landing pool, 2300 Brinitzer Way

• Swimmers & volunteers arrive 5:00. Warm-ups 5:20
• Carpool if you can! This is a big event with multiple teams attending, and street parking is the plan.

June 23: Pep Rally: PIRATES, aaaargh!! Potluck as usual

• 6pm. All swimmers & families encouraged to attend and dress up.
• Last names A-I: Side dish
• Last names J-P: Dessert
• Last names: Q-Z: Main dish

June 24: A Meet #2 @ Fox Hunt: 9am. Info to come

WEEK 5: June 26 – July 1

June 26: B Meet #3 vs. Hayfield Farm @ MHC: 6pm

• Little Piranhas: It’s time for KICKBOARD RACES! Held before the meet start. More info to come.

June 28: Divisional Relay Carnivals: 4pm. Selected swimmers only. Please mark availability ASAP. 

June 29: Team Picture Day! 7am-8am. Team suits preferred! 

June 30: Pep Rally #3: D I S N E Y: 6pm

July 1: A Meet #3 vs. Truro @ MHC: 9am

WIth a heavy heart, we announce that
PRACTICE IS CANCELLED
due to potentially unsafe air quality conditions.

Registration for summer swim 2023 is still open! Registered swimmers will get non-personalized caps while supplies last. Don't forget that you must be a shareholder or leaseholder in good standing in order to register for the team. Got questions? Email us at [email protected]

Can't wait to see you on deck!

P.S. If you already registered, thanks and see you soon!

Calling all coaches! MHC Swim Team is hiring for the 2023 Summer Swim Season! We are still seeking applications for a Little Piranha Coach (must be 16+ by 5/29/23 and lifeguard certified), and an Assistant Head Coach. Adults and teenagers are eligible for the jobs so reach out if you are interested!

Applicants are welcome to apply for multiple positions. Check your email for application forms. Didn't get one? Email us!

The Little Piranha Coach and Assistant Head Coach do not need to be members if they are over 18 years of age, but preference may be given to members. Come spend your summer at the pool! We can’t wait to work with you!

Watch this space! Coming in the next few weeks we will have:

Applications for Junior Coaches (will be due no later than 11:59 pm 3/31/23 no exceptions!!)

Applications for our NEW position Little Piranhas Assistant Coach (open to those ages 16+; MUST have lifeguard cert and meet other requirements)

Registration for Summer Swim 2023 Opening in March!!

Calling all aspiring club swimmers! Turn in an application by the end of Friday, 7/15, for a chance at the prestigious Jim Shlesinger Scholarship, which funds one swimmer for a full year of NCAP club swimming. 

Pro tip: Check your emails for the application & details. 

Applications can be turned in by hand to reps at the Grammys Pep Rally, or simple emailed to [email protected]. We can't wait to hear from your swimmer!

WEEK 5: June 27 – July 3

• MORNING PRACTICES, same schedule:
  • 13+up: 7:30 –9:00
  • 9–12: 8:45 –10:00
  • 8+under: 9:45 – 10:45
  • Little Piranhas: 10:45 –11:30

• June 27: B Meet @ Hayfield Farm: 7820 Hayfield Road, Alexandria VA 22305. Arrive @ Hayfield team area: 5:00. Volunteers arrive 5:00. Warm-ups: 5:20. Kickboard races 5:45.
• June 28: Relay Fun Day & Team Breakfast.
  • 13+up swimmers: Practice at the usual time, then plan to stay till 10:45 if possible.
  • All swimmers ages 12 and younger: Please arrive by 8:45 if possible, stay till 10:45 if you can. If you can’t make it till your regular practice time, we’ll fit you in then!
• June 28: Potomac Marlins FREE Swim Clinic #2: 11:00. For swimmers ages 9+up. Focus: Breakouts & finishes.
• June 30: Nation’s Capital (NCAP) FREE Swim Clinic #1: 11:00. For swimmers ages 9+up. Focus: Relays, starts, finishes, dives.
• July 1: Pep Rally: A M E R I C A N A !! 6pm.
• July 2: A Meet vs. Shouse Village @ Mansion House: 8am. Selected swimmers.

WEEK 6: July 4 – July 10

• July 4: Annual Piranha-Thon! 9:00 – 11:00.
• July 6: Divisional Relay Carnival @ Fox Mill Estates: 5:30.
• July 8: Pep Rally: DISNEY!!: 6pm.
• July 9: A Meet @ Rolling Valley: 8am. 

Calling all Undeclared Swimmers: Please set availability by NOON Thursday, 6/9, thanks :-)

TIME TRIALS: Saturday

SWIMMERS

• Arrival Time for Swimmers: 7:45 am.
• Events Start: 8:30 am.
• Projected Finish Time: Between 11:30 and 12:00 (hopefully). If they NOTIFY A COACH, swimmers may leave after their last event.
• Events: All swimmers ages 11+ will swim all events: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly. Swimmers 10+under will swim as assigned by coaches. No IMS or relays will be held.
• Team Area: Swimmers should stay in the team area! All coaches will be there to help get swimmers in place. Please encourage your kids to stay in the team area until they are finished swimming for the day (except for snacks & bathroom etc.). Parents: please stay out of the team area as much as possible to reduce crowding & simplify team management
• Bring: 2 pair of goggles, 1–2 towels, extra dry clothes, healthy snacks (there will be concessions for sale also), full water bottle, swim cap (x2), sunscreen. Recommended: hat, sunglasses.
• Phones & electronics: None of these in the team area. If a swimmer needs to text/call for a ride etc. after the meet, keep all phones etc. in their bag while in the team area.  Remember, this is a WET event.
• Label: ALL clothes and gear with your last name.

PARENTS/FAMILIES

• Set-up: Come early! 7:00 or 7:15/ 
• Uniform: On-deck volunteers (timers, stroke and turn, clerks of course, marshall, runners, starter, ref) please wear white shirt/tee/tank and navy shorts/skort. No logos or graphics except for NVSL official logo. Hat and sunglasses recommended
• Still need: Concessions!! Timers!! No training required, both are perfect for parents new to swim team or with younger kids. Sign up here.
• New to the team? Check the website for meet tips under Parent Resources and Meets.
• Swimmer attendance: Please indicate right here if your swimmer is coming or not so we can print event cards. LPs are not expected to participate in Time Trials or the B Meet, but please help us out by noting that they won’t come.
• Deadline: Please sign up for Time Trials by NOON on Thursday. Adjustments can be made if needed.

B Meet: Monday
Hollin Meadows @ MHC (home)

• Arrival Time for Swimmers: 4:45 @ MHC.
• Meet Starts: 6:00.
• Set-Up: 4:15.
• See above regarding team area. Even more important when another team is here! Help the coaches keep track of your kid by enforcing that kids should stay in the team area or tell a coach when they are leaving.
• See above for what to bring and what not to bring.
• Still need lots of volunteers! Please help – sign up here! B meet signups are by first shift and second shift. Have questions? Just ask!
• Mark your swimmers as available or not – you guessed it, here!! Don’t know how? Ask! We can help!
• At practice on Friday, the kids and coaches will choose what they will swim on Monday so please try to come to Friday practice!
• You can leave when your child is finished swimming but LET A COACH KNOW you are leaving so we aren’t panicking when your child is gone!
• Please park in the farther spots and leave the close by spots for our guests.

Friday Pep Rally

Calling ALL swimmers & families: Come dressed in your best Piranha/Green Gear! Get crazy - wigs, body paint, costumes, props, tattoos - anything goes! Start time 6pm. Bring a picnic dinner and come bond with the team. Learn those legendary team cheers and get psyched for Time Trials - Go House!!

WEEK ONE PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Tues - Friday, May 31 - June 3:

• 13+up: 4:00 - 5:00
• 9-12: 5:00 - 6:00
• 8&under: 5:45 - 6:30

REMINDERS & NEWS

• Registration fees due ASAP
• Set your swimmer's availability: sign in to SwimTopia, then under the Schedule tab, click Sign-Up Calendar -> Meet Entry
• Select your volunteer shifts: under the Schedule tab, click Sign-Up Calendar -> Job Signup
• If you've got 'em, bring 'em: Please have swimmers (of all ages) bring fins and kickboards to practice to help streamline time & equipment management
• Order your team spirit gear soon for early season arrival: Shop Piranha gear here!
• Have fun and be awesome!!

Does your swimmer want a swim cap personalized with their last name this season? Register by APRIL 30 to make it happen! All swimmers are guaranteed a team cap, but the cut-off for personalized caps is SOON. 

Happy Sunday, Piranha Nation!!

Congrats on an excellent Time Trials meet! Results and our first ladder are attached! On the results you will see some swimmers with a DQ. Please don’t be discouraged! It is very, very, early in the season and everyone is rusty. Our beloved coaches were watching and taking notes (and will check DQ slips) so they can work with swimmers on specific issues. Most are super easy to fix! That said, we had fun, and we hope swimmers & their families did too 🙂 Lots of info to cover for this week and next, but a couple important things first!

• Starting with the B meet tomorrow, and for the remainder of the season referees will start enforcing some important rules at meets:

• Swimmers may not wear athletic tape while they are swimming. If you have questions let us know.
  
  • Swimmers may not wear caps with logos from other teams. We know that we haven’t gotten this year’s caps out yet (coming this week!). If your swimmer has to wear a cap from another team please turn it inside out.
  • Swimmers may not wear suits that tie, zip, etc.
  • Swimmers generally may not wear shirts (including rash guards) while racing. This applies to boys and girls. If you have a modesty concern, or otherwise, please let us know and we can talk about how to handle that with the NVSL.
  • All of the above are part of the USA Swimming and NVSL rules. We would never want a swimmer to have a great race only to be DQed for a gear violation. We also don’t want swimmers to be shaken or embarrassed by having to change at a meet!
• WE NEED MORE HELP!! Our concessions team needs more help! We have added extra slots for the B meet tomorrow, but we need people to grill, to take orders, and to take money. This will make the process faster and much more efficient for everyone. We also need more hands to help clean up at concessions. We were there a solid 2 hours after the meet yesterday. Many hands make light work and we need some of yours!
• On Saturday June 22, we are in need of someone to run the computer at the home A meet. You do not need formal training. But both of our experienced data people are unavailable and we need help! We will teach you what to do. It would be extremely helpful if you can come to the B meet tomorrow and the A meet next Saturday to learn from our experts.
• Okay now the fun stuff. Please keep reading!

WEEK 3: June 10 – June 15

Practice:

AFTER SCHOOL PRACTICES continue Tuesday – Wednesday, same schedule (no practice Monday due to B meet.)

• 13+up: 4:00 – 5:00pm
• 9–12: 5:00 – 6:00pm
• 8+under: 5:45 – 6:30pm
• Please remember that 8 and under swimmers may not be dropped off for practice without a caregiver. Older siblings must be 13+ to qualify as a supervisor for younger siblings. This is for your swimmer(s) safety. For older swimmer(s) please use your judgment about whether you should drop off or stay.

Morning Practices and LPs start Thursday June 13

• 13+: 7:30am-9:00am
• 9-12: 8:45-10:00am
• 8 and under: 9:45-10:30
• Little Piranhas: 10:00-10:30 OR 10:30-11:00 (we will assign to groups)

• Please remember that 8 and under and Little Piranha swimmers may not be dropped off for practice without a caregiver. Older siblings must be 13+ to qualify as a supervisor for younger siblings. This is for your swimmer(s) safety. For older swimmer(s) please use your judgment about whether you should drop off or stay.

B MEET

• June 10: B Meet #1 vs Hollin Meadows @ MHC: 6:00pm. Swimmers arrive NLT 4:45. Warmups @ 5:00. Set up volunteers arrive 4:30 (if possible) Other volunteers arrive NLT 5:30 (first shift) or 6:45 (second shift).
  • SO MANY volunteer slots left! We know it is hard on Mondays (especially with school still in session) Thanks to those who have already signed up. We still need: 1 Stroke and Turn judge for B shift (must be NVSL trained last year or this year), 1 Marshal for B shift, Assistant Clerk of Course for both shifts, LOTS MORE Concessions help (like lots), 2 more people for Data (no experience necessary), 2 more runners for B shift (more runners=faster meet, no actual running necessary), and at least 2 more people to help with set up. Sign up HERE!
  • Swimmers: NOTE that although SwimTopia might indicate meet entries are closed, this is just for data management. Undeclared/un-entered swimmers may absolutely still swim! Let a rep know, or just arrive & coaches can write you in.
  • Suggested pack list: team suit, or green or black suit; team cap (NO caps with other team logos allowed); 2 towels; healthy snacks & lots of water; sunscreen, optional hat/sunglasses; card games or travel activities; spirit wear & green accessories.
  • Once the meet begins, swimmers must stick to the team area so they don't miss an event or slow the meet down. This is a safety issue. Parents if your kid comes to find you, make sure they told a coach where they are and then return them to the team area ASAP. Oh hey, this one’s important so we’ll say it again: Swimmers, stick to the team area! Let a coach know if you leave!
  • Swimmers can leave the meet when they are finished swimming. HOWEVER, please let a coach know you are leaving before you go.
  • Leave cell phones/electronics/valuables at home, or keep them secured inside your bags. We cannot be responsible for any valuables in the team area.
  • Concessions will be open! Please visit and eat. Please be sure that your swimmers save candy or soda for AFTER they finish swimming. Please also be sure to send your swimmer back to the team area to eat.
  • One more note about the team area: Parents must NOT be in the team area unless they have signed up on the volunteer slot for a “team parent” if you want to help out! Otherwise please keep your kids in and yourself out! (It is a crowd control and safety issue).
  • Safety note: Photos and videos are NOT ALLOWED behind the start (so behind the timers or at the far end of the pool in the 25m events). Please move to the side to take photos and videos. It’s a better view anyway!

Pep Rally

• June 14: Pep Rally: Wild West!, 6-8pm.

• Pot Luck Dinner! Bring a dish to share. Bring water or Gatorade for your swimmer(s). Please no soda.
• Last Name A-H (Side – veggies, fruit, etc)
• Last Name I-O (Dessert – cookies, brownies, etc)
• Last Name P-Z (Main – meat, pasta, etc)
• Dress in your finest western wear! Come eat, play games, participate in the costume contest, and bond with the team! Everyone (including LPs) welcome! This is not just for A meet swimmers!
• We will also be decorating cars for the caravan to the A meet!
• Please note that this is NOT a drop off event for swimmers 10 and under. Stick around and meet/mingle with other parents. It makes swim team way more fun.
• Clean up!! Please be sure that your swimmers clean up after themselves and that you do as well. It is not the lifeguards’ job to clean up after us. If you don’t clean up we will not be able to continue to have these fun events!

A Meet

• June 15: A Meet #1 vs. Villa Gorillas @ Villa Aquatic: Caravan from MHC exact time tbd but around 7:00am. Selected swimmers only; more information to come as to who is swimming and what you need to know. Please mark availability now and no later than Tuesday. Watch your email on Thursday for a notice of whether/what your swimmer may be swimming! If your swimmer cannot attend (no matter their age group or level, excluding Little Piranhas), please mark that in SwimTopia TODAY.

WEEK 4: June 17 – June 22

Practice:

Morning Practices

• 13+: 7:30am-9:00am
• 9-12: 8:45-10:00am
• 8 and under: 9:45-10:30
• Little Piranhas: 10:00-10:30 OR 10:30-11:00 (we will assign to groups)

• Please remember that 8 and under and Little Piranha swimmers may not be dropped off for practice without a caregiver. Older siblings must be 13+ to qualify as a supervisor for younger siblings. This is for your swimmer(s) safety. For older swimmer(s) please use your judgment about whether you should drop off or stay.

Afternoon Practices

• Tuesday-Thursday: All ages EXCEPT LPs. 5:00-6:00pm
• Sign-up on Swimtopia and update there if you cannot come. Please do not just no-show
• No coaches in the water at these practices, so plan accordingly based on your swimmer(s) skill level.
• Please remember that 8 and under swimmers may not be dropped off for practice without a caregiver. Older siblings must be 13+ to qualify as a supervisor for younger siblings. This is for your swimmer(s) safety. For older swimmer(s) please use your judgment about whether you should drop off or stay.

B MEET

• June 17 -B Meet #2 vs Riverside Gardens @MHC: 5pm warmups. Information to come. Mark availability HERE.
  • Wear green and white and come ready to cheer and help.
  • Warm-ups at 5:00pm, meet starts at 6:00pm
  • MARK SWIMMER AVAILABILITY and select swimmer events as soon as possible! Same link, different meet, super easy. This is the single most significant thing you can do to support reps & coaches – thanks in advance! 😊
  • MARK VOLUNTEER AVAILABILITY while you’re there. Basically, ditto. Meets don’t happen without volunteers.
  • Not sure what to bring or what your swimmer needs? Check Meets 101 on SwimTopia! Lots of great info there.
• June 18- Team Pictures! Brush your teeth and comb your hair! We will need a few parents to assist the photographer. She typically offers a discount so sign up early on Swimtopia to help! No practice after photos.
• June 21 - Pep Rally: Disney! @ 6pm. Potluck. Information to come.
• June 22 - A Meet #2 vs. Lakeview @ MHC: 8am warmups. Select swimmers only. Please mark availability now! Details next week.

REMINDERS AND YOUR TO-DO LIST! Lucky you, we make it easy. All you have to do is…

• MARK SWIMMER AVAILABILITY if you haven’t already. Help us out and click here now to mark swimmer availability for future meets. No answer = not available = not swimming. (For A meets and relays. B meets can just show up!)
• MARK VOLUNTEER AVAILABILITY while you’re there. Like what you did at Time Trials? Awesome, do it again! Want to try a different volunteer post? Also awesome – check out descriptions right here.
• Pool use before 11am when the pool opens: Kids are NOT ALLOWED in the main pool outside of practice until the pool opens at 11am. No kids or adults in the main pool outside of practice until the pool opens at 11am. This includes lap swimming for adults. No exceptions. There are no lifeguards and we could be significantly fined by the county. Kids 6 and under can swim in the baby pool ONLY with direct parent supervision.
• Get familiar with the SwimTopia website! Chances are, answers and clarifications can be found there—swim meets 101, volunteer job descriptions, pep rally descriptions, full season calendar, team handbook. Don’t see it there? Let us know – we’re always revising.

This is important so we will say it again: Post-Event Clean-Up: Whether it's an A Meet, a B Meet, a Pep Rally, or a team breakfast and whether you stay till the end or leave as your swimmer is finished, PLEASE REMEMBER:

• How we leave our team area/the pavilion is a direct reflection of who we are. ALL SWIMMERS should leave their immediate areas free of trash and looking orderly.
• Clean up is our responsibility and not that of the lifeguards. This goes for all swim team events. Please be respectful.

We’re loving the chance to get to know new families and reconnect with returning swimmers. Thanks for making it fun so far!