Heeeeeeeey Marlin family. 

Welcome to the 2026 Maplewood Marlins swim season! We are so excited to have your family on our team this summer. There is a lot of information in this kick-off email and I appreciate you reading to the end.

**BUSINESS FIRST**
As mentioned during registration, every swim team family is required to be a member of the pool. Aside from the regular membership options, the Maplewood Neighborhood Association is offering a 1/2 summer membership to include access through June 30th. You will receive a link to complete your pool membership soon.

FAMILY SPONSORSHIP
New this year we are offering an upgraded (and now tax-deductible) Family Sponsorship package! If you have already emailed me your desire to be a family sponsor, please be sure to let me know which level you choose. If you want to get in on the fun, email me ASAP to secure your spot & send in payment.

NEW THIS YEAR FOR HOME MEETS
Maplewood coaches, swimmers & volunteers for that meet are the only people allowed to set up & remain inside the gate. We will still have our swimmers sitting in age-group tents with tent parent volunteers. There will be a viewing area where you can come in to watch your swimmer(s), but as we do at many other pools, you will now set up your hang out area outside the gate. The large number of bodies inside the gate during meets has been a fire code & insurance issue for years, so we are doing our part to be good stewards of the pool. GUESS WHAT THIS MEANS - that $400 family sponsorship with the picnic table inside the gate sounds extra great AND volunteering at meets just got a whole lot cooler!!!

PRACTICE SCHEDULE
https://maplewoodmarlins.swimtopia.com/practice-schedule

Daily afternoon practices begin Wednesday, May 6th. If you will miss a significant amount of practice, be sure to let the coaching staff know. If its a day here or there, no need to let us know. You can always email them at [email protected]. We know it says morning practice begins when HISD is still in school. We are working on a plan with the coaches & pool management to hopefully offer a morning & afternoon option that week. 

TEAM SUITS
While the team suit is not required, it sure is great to see the kids at meets with the same suit on. Texas Swim Shop has our suits in stock now! You can go to the store to get fitted now, or you can wait until she comes to practice on May 20th.

COMMUNICATION
In addition to email, other communication tools we use include:

• the Maplewood Marlins website at our easy to remember domain maplewoodmarlins.org. Please bookmark this for quick access.
• the Maplewood Marlins Facebook & Instagram pages. Please like and follow our page for updates as well as pictures and celebrations from the season.
• the SwimTopia app will be used to:
  • follow along using a new “live meet” feature where you can see heat sheets and upcoming swimmer/event alerts for your family.
  • send out updates or cancellations due to weather and other reminders that we need to get out to the team. Please enable push notifications so you can receive information in a timely manner.

If you can’t find your answer in any of the above places, please feel free to contact me at [email protected] with any questions you may have.

SWIM MEETS
Unfortunately we do NOT have our exact schedule yet. I will be in touch as soon as the league has it ready. Mark your calendar for May 26, June 1, 8, 15 & 22 as we do know those are the dates of our dual meets. Following the regular season meets, we will participate in the postseason events - Meet of Champions (June 25 or 26) followed by All Stars (June 30). More information to follow on the postseason requirements & schedule.

Lots of information about our meets here -
https://maplewoodmarlins.swimtopia.com/meet-101

STROKE JUDGES
Stroke Judges are a very important part of the swim team. Stroke Judges watch the races from the side of the pool (best seat at the meet!) and note if the swimmers make an illegal stroke. Stroke judges will be trained and are required to attend a free stroke judge clinic/training sponsored by the league. We hope to host an Officials Clinic at Maplewood, but there will also be other clinics around the league - stay tuned for dates. If you're interested in being a stroke judge, reach out to me (if I haven't already hunted you down). Fun perks included!!

KEY DATES (more details on all to come)

• Los Tios Spirit Night - April 14 4-9pm
• Meet the Coaches - Sunday May 3 - 10-11am
• FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE - Wednesday, May 6
• '401 Table & Tap Spirit Night - Tuesday May 12
• Kickoff Party - Friday May 15 - 6-9pm
• Meet Team cutoff - Friday, May 15. All swimmers must be able to swim 1 length of the pool unassisted and 7 & up swimmers must be legal in at least 2 strokes.
• Parent Meeting/Team Photos - Sunday, May 17 at 10:00 am
• Coaches’ Breakfast - Friday, June 19 (for 11 and up swimmers only)
• End of Season Party - June 24 - 6-9pm.

MESSAGE FROM COACH GABBY
Hi Marlins!! You have no idea how excited I am to be back with you this summer. I hope y'all are ready to dive back in with me. Summer 2026 is going to be a FUNtastic season! I look forward to seeing everyone soon. 

WHEW! You made it through email #1 of the season!! The 2026 Board has been hard at work and will be available at practices to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

ONE MONTH TO GO!

~Mindy Campbell~
Board President
Maplewood Marlins