Dolphin Update: May 26, 2025

Happy Memorial Day. Before reading this update, I encourage everyone to take a moment in silence to consider the sacrifices of those who have died to protect our freedom and to remember their families as well.

Read on for this week's update:

1) We will delay the first practice until Thursday May 29th AND combine it with a parent meeting. Please plan to be at the club on Thursday at 5:45PM for our first meeting. We will meet regardless of weather; we have the front rooms at the club reserved in case of rain. Please make every effort to attend (even if it's just one parent from each family). This will ensure your preparedness and organization for a successful summer swim season.

A few notes on swimming conditions: when we consider whether to swim, we look not only at the pool temperatures, but at the air temperature. Currently, the pool is 68-70 degrees. The air temperature highs are below 70 plus forecasts are calling for rains tomorrow and Wednesday. Thus, we will delay our start. Looking at the weather forecast, I suspect we won't actually swim until Monday 6/2. But if the sun shines on Thursday, we will meet at the club.

2) Given these changes - which highlight the need to be able to communicate quickly and effectively, especially regarding weather, I want to make sure everyone is receiving timely updates. Currently, swimmingly only allows for email communication. The Remind app has unfortunately changed since last year, and now does not provide direct text messaging instead requiring everyone to download the app. I am looking into other options and will announce updates on Thursday at our meeting.

3) Team T-shirts: we need to collect this information again! Please click here to add your swimmer t-shirt size requests to a google form: https://forms.gle/Tn8ckdWNwtFwRw7f6

I apologize for this repeat step. While we asked for t-shirt sizes during registration with swimmingly, the information appears to not have actively been collected or collated. We have plenty of shirts, however! We will distribute them on Thursday along with team swim caps.

4) Team pictures will be on Tuesday June 3 starting at 5:30PM. Please wear a team suit AND bring your new team t-shirt for this practice/picture. If you don't have a suit yet, they can be ordered through our team store (for which we receive a portion of proceeds from all orders) at https://www.swimoutlet.com/collections/spotswooddolphin

Normally, we have pictures later in the season. This year, we decided we would try to get them done before people begin to travel for the summer. We will have a makeup date later as well. We will probably take the group photo in the t-shirts this year as well.

5) Parent volunteers: swim meets take a lot of parental help to execute. One VERY important role is that of Stroke & Turn Judge. This requires training which is provided by our governing body, the VSL (Valley Swim league). If you are willing to fill this role (we need 6-8 parents total). An in-person training session will be May 29 | 6-7 PM | James Madison University, Hartman Hall, Room 1000. This is highly recommended for new judges.

Otherwise, returning judges can participate in a virtual training: June 9 | 6-7 PM | https://meet.google.com/qbm-rwya-vgu  

Lastly, there is always an option to train online via www.strokeandturn.com. This takes approximately an hour and costs $25, for which the team will cover the costs.

6) The club is hosting an ice cream social at the pool on Wednesday 6/4 starting at 5PM. Non-members on the swim team are welcome to join us for this event, and the snack bar will be prepared to accept cash for non members as well. Members can charge to their club account as usual.

7) If you have any questions, ever - check the website! All of the information needed will ALWAYS be posted here first. The blog is a collection of weekly updates. If you aren't sure from there, you can always text Hilary Irons.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday!

Go Dolphins!