Hello Gators Families!

This is your first official Gator Bytes of the season. We will send out a weekly communication on Sundays about what is coming up that week, and any necessary information. If you have questions you can always check the website, or reach out and ask.

We need judges! It's a great way to learn more about the strokes, and you get a front row view of the meets! If you are interested please let us know and we can help you get trained! 

The volunteer shift sign up came out on 5/2. If you haven't done so yet, please get signed up. You can find more information on the website about what each role involves. Many shifts have already been filled, so please continue to check as we will add new shifts as we need them. Every family will need to sign up for 4 shifts, so please make sure you find times that work for you.

Our swim season officially starts May 22! We want to make sure that everyone knows that the first week of practices, May 22 through 25, are evening practices and will only be for coaches training and swimmers in the silver and senior groups (6:00-7:00pm). There is no practice on the 26th, as that is the official first day of the pool opening. We will begin our first morning practices for all groups on the 30th, after Memorial Day. Please see the schedule below, which is also posted on the website. There will NOT be practice on Monday the 29th for Memorial Day. We have posted the practice groups on the Gators website. If you are wondering which group your child is in, you can also view it here.

6:45-8:15: Seniors

7:00-8:00: Silver

8:00-9:00: Green

9:00-9:45: Purple

Please remember that no swimmer will be allowed in the water until we have received the signed paperwork and the $250 volunteer deposit check. You will receive a separate email this week if we still need this from you. We will be available the first day of practice to turn this in, however if you wait until then, there may be a line. Feel free to reach out if you would like to connect and get it submitted before then.

We also want to make sure that everyone has the Kick Off Picnic on their calendar for Tuesday, May 30th at 6:00 pm. This will be a time to get to know some of the other swimmers on the team, meet the junior coaches, and tie dye your team shirts. Please plan on bringing a picnic for your family, or eating before, since we won't be providing food. The Kona Ice truck will also be there, so plan on that as well! This year we will not be making shirts for swimmers who cannot attend, we will be scheduling a time to make this up during practice time at some point.

If you ordered team gear before April 26th it should arrive shortly after the start of the season. We will distribute it at practice when it arrives. If you did not purchase a cap from the team store, we will have them available to purchase during the first two weeks of practices, during practice time. We will have them available for purchase with cash (exact change) or check. They are $5 for latex and $15 for silicone. If you still wish to order team gear, a second team store is open until May 21st. Please note that these orders may not arrive before the first meet. Please click here for the store. The link is also available on the website.

We are so excited to start our 2023 season, we can't wait to see you soon!