Hello Gator Families!

We are officially at the start of our season! We have the silver, junior and senior practices starting tomorrow night, and morning practices for everyone start this Thursday the 26th!

Before the season starts, we suggest you download the Swimtopia App on your phone. This will keep you updated on urgent announcements like practice cancelations (which we are reminded of after this crazy snow storm) as well as keep you updated during meets. You will need to turn your notifications on to get immediate alerts (otherwise it will come as an email). I have outlined the features for the free and upgraded versions here: 

Free features

• Team alerts for urgent issues
• Sign up for meets and/or jobs
• Swimmer’s race results - current and past seasons
• Calendar of upcoming meets & events
• Family's meet overview [swimmer's events & parent's volunteer jobs]
• Post meet swimmer results
• Live Event/Heat Bar during meet.

SwimTopia Pro

• Free 7 day trial, then $2.49/mo or $9.99/yr
• Heat Sheets
• Heat/lane assignments & start times for favorite swimmers
• Estimated start times that update as meet progresses
• Upcoming swim reminders for favorite swimmers
• Swimmer results during the meet (as soon as entered in computer)
• Live results for all swimmers
• Team scores

You can find more detailed info by clicking on this link: https://help.swimtopia.com/hc/en-us/articles/360028834791-SwimTopia-s-Mobile-App-Parent-Information

Below are a few reminders we sent out last week that we wanted to highlight again:

• Every family needs to sign up for 3 volunteer shifts. You can sign up and find more information about what each role involves on the website.
• Don't forget to RSVP for the Season Kick-Off Picnic on May 31st at 6:00 pm by clicking on:_https://gvrgators.swimtopia.com/swim_meets_ and logging in. Scroll down to "Season Kick-Off Picnic" then click on "RSVP" and select who will be attending. We won't be providing food, so please plan on bringing a picnic for your family, or eating before, but the Kona Ice truck will be there! The parent meeting will be most valuable to parents who are new to the team, but everyone is welcome to attend! We will also be tie-dying team shirts and meeting big/little buddies. We will be making shirts for kids who aren't able to be there, so please let us know if you won't be there.
• If you would like to know who your buddy is before the picnic you can find the buddy list by going to the "Resources" tab on the website and selecting "Swim Buddies".
• We will pass out team gear the first day of morning practice on May 26th if you ordered any. If you would like to purchase a swim cap they are $5 for latex and $15 for silicone. You can do that on the 26th, or during the first full week of practices (May 31-June3). 
• Please remember that no swimmer will be allowed in the water until we have received the signed paperwork and the volunteer deposit check. Feel free to reach out if you would like to connect and get that submitted before the first day of practice.

• Every swimmer must be able to swim the length of the pool unassisted by the coaches, in order to participate in the meets. Our coaches will assess this each week and Coach Meagan will email you if your child is in this category to let you know what their progress is and what skills they are working on.

If you have any questions please reach out. We look forward to seeing everyone soon!