Marlins Minute 4.26.24
Hey Marlins!
Welcome to this seasons first edition of the “Marlins Minute”. We are less than TWO WEEKS away from our first practice for the 2024 season. Who’s ready to swim?!?!
MAPLEWOOD PARK UPDATE
As some of you may have noticed, the park by the pool is in the midst of renovation. Unfortunately it will not be complete before swim team begins. This means:
- No playground available for siblings entertainment during practice
- The pool parking lot will be closed, so you will park across the street at Westbury Baptist Church
- You will enter the pool from the side gate along the driveway
We understand this is a major disruption, but unfortunately we have zero control over it. Please be patient and know we are working closely with the neighborhood association, the church and the city to ensure our kiddos are safe (including adding a crossing guard volunteer slot for our two home meets).
SWIMTOPIA APP
We will be sending a TEST ALERT through the SwimTopia app. The alerts function will be used to send messages that are time sensitive (weather updates, practice/meet information, etc.). Please enable notifications for the season. Your login should be the same as the desktop version you used to register for the team.
STROKE JUDGES
You! Yes, YOU! Want a front row seat to the action in the pool during meets? Stroke Judges determine if a swimmer is legal in their strokes. You will get trained by the SHRSL President and will have plenty of support from our Board & other SJs. Please email [email protected] if you want to be a Stroke Judge this season!
**New this year** -- if you attended a clinic last year, you will only have to complete a virtual 30 minute video refresher. If you did NOT attend a clinic last year, you need to attend an in-person 1.5 hour clinic in order to stroke judge this season. Find the schedule for league clinic dates here.
VOLUNTEER SIGN UP
Now that the schedule is finalized and the league has input our meets into SwimTopia, you can log in and declare your swimmers available or unavailable for all meets, including post season AND sign up for your volunteer shifts. Please remember, 1 swimmer = 3 volunteer shifts; 2+ swimmers = 5 volunteer shifts. If you have more than 2 swimmers, just know we may lean on you in a pinch. Volunteers are essential to running an efficient & enjoyable meet. The more efficient our meet, the earlier the meet ends!
**Friendly reminder that April 30th is the last day you can participate in practices/meets with any non-SHRSL team**
UPCOMING MAY EVENTS
- Wednesday, May 8
- afternoon practice begins. Full schedule available here.
- Friday, May 17
- Meet team cutoff (6 and under swimmers must be able to swim 1 length of the pool unassisted and all other swimmers must be legal in at least 2 strokes)
- Season kick-off party at the pool. (6p - 8p). More information to come.
- Saturday, May 18
- Officials clinic @ Maplewood Pool. This is training for volunteers fulfilling the stroke judge job at meets. WE NEED YOU!
- Sunday, May 19
- Parent meeting and team/individual photos beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the pool.
- Merchandise orders are expected to be ready and distributed at this meeting prior to pictures.
- For photos - we’ll get you the info on how to order online ahead of time soon.
- Tuesday, May 21
- Spirit Night at '401 Table & Tap
- Tuesday, May 28
- HOME MEET against Covington Woods Stingrays
As always, feel free to reach out with any questions/comments/concerns. Let’s get EXCITED!!! It’s almost swim team time!
Go Marlins,
 | Mindy Campbell Maplewood Marlins Board President |
