Author: greenmountainswimteam

For the last few years our Gator swimmers have participated in the swim buddy program (Big Buddy/Little Buddy).  This program was created by a previous swim coach in an effort to help the Junior Gators transition into becoming the sport of swimming and to help them navigate swim meets.  This also provides our older Gators some responsibility by helping assist and support the younger swimmers. The program also fosters team spirit, family and camaraderie by connecting the older swimmers with the younger ones.  Big buddies are generally 13&older while Little buddies are 12&under.  This partnership should focus on team unity, spirit and sportsmanship.  The buddy program is not about elaborate gifts-it is about being a supportive teammate! 

Last year we implemented the swimmer of the week.  This was started to recognize swimmers for their hard work in and out of the water.  We are going to start this again as we feel it is important to show the swimmers we appreciate their effort and team work.  Below are the factors that are included when considering at swimmer of the week.  The coaches will be watching swimmers throughout the week (starting this Monday) and the swimmer of the week will be announced on Monday mornings.

• Behavior and Attitude:  highest standards for behavior and manners at all swim team functions; positive attitude in regards to all swimming related programs
• Effort:  demonstrate a resilient, consistent, hard-work ethic both in and out of the pool
• Attendance:  attends practice regularly; participates in meets consistently
• Learning:  demonstrates excellent listening skills; responsiveness to instruction; improve skill development
• Organization:  demonstrates independence; self motivator; arrives on time; has all “equipment”
• Performance:  applies skills and techniques acquired/developed during practice in meets; demonstrates proper form; drops time in events
• Team Work:  demonstrates excellent team work helping all team mates; cheers for other swimmers during events; participates in buddy program
• Gator Factor:  All the above and a little something extra!!!!!!!!!!!

On Wednesday, June 7th we will have our annual tie-dye and ice cream social.  This is a tradition of  tie-dying apparel with the Gator team colors that had been carried on for years .  We are going to incorporate a mandatory parent meeting into this event.

This event will be from 6:00-8:00pm

• Mandatory Parent meeting will begin at 6:00pm.  Please plan on having one parent attend this meeting.  We will discuss some summer season information and introduce all of the coaches and board members.
• Tie-Dye can be completed anytime between 6:00-7:30pm (this will allow them to finish by 8:00pm when the pool closes).  Each person is responsible for bringing an item if they would like to tie-dye.  The swim team will supply the dye (and the fun).  It would be helpful if the item you were going to tie-dye was already prepared with rubber bands.
• Ice Cream will be served around 6:30pm and will be available until this is all eaten.
• We will also have our Gator apparel (shirts, sweatshirts, hats and swim caps) available for purchase.  These items can be purchase with cash, check or credit card.  We will have white tank tops available for purchase as an option of something Gator to tie-dye.  

Here is some information for this Saturdays swim meet
First, the Individual events have been entered.  I apologize we didn’t communicate that swimmers can swim (3) individual events.  If swimmers only signed up for (2) events and they want to swim (3) we can make these changes at practice on Friday morning.  Please have your swimmers talk to a coach or to Jennifer to get this additional event added.  (Jennifer will be easy to spot sitting behind the computer).  We will get the relays put together tomorrow morning and all of this information will be posted tomorrow afternoon.

We will not have a team tent set-up at 5 Parks because they have turf.  The Gators will gather outside of the pool area on the turf grass (to the East of the pool).  If your family is planning on bringing a tent/umbrella please make sure you have weights or sand bags for this.  There is NO STAKING into the ground.  Also parents don’t forget to sign-up to volunteer to time at this meet.

We are excited to swim in our first dual meet.  See you all at 6:30am.
Swim Fast!!

It is always hard to know the number of kids swimming in each age division when we set practice times. It is always a risk when we set these times on if session will balance out. Well this year is one of those times where it isn’t very even.  In our upper division practice we have about 10 kids to a lane and that is not very productive for the swimmers.

We are going to enforce the specific age group practice times as well as change the 13 year old practice times. If you are swimming up in practice we need you to attend your regular age group practice. Also the 13 year olds will begin to practice from 8:00-9:00am. 

This change will be beneficial to all the swimmers involved. It will give each swimmer more space in their lanes and provide them more swim time.

If arrangements were not already made to participate in a different practice we appreciate your cooperation in adhering this.  These changes will take effect immediatly. 

What could make a swim meet on a Wednesday night even better than it already is?  PIZZA!!!!