Shark Bites May 3
Hello Shadow Cliff Sharks!
Tomorrow is officially our first day of practice! I’m looking forward to seeing our swimmers back in the water. Having said that, the first few days are a little chaotic getting swimmers in and out of the pool, so please be patient with us. It is VERY important that you read our practice protocol, AND share it with whomever will be bringing your swimmer to practice.
FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE
Tomorrow we will have a check in table for your swimmer where they will receive their Shark swim cap and then another check-in at the entrance to the pool. New swimmers will also receive a white cap, we have markers to write their name on them. This helps our coaches learn you kids, as they all start to look alike in the pool. Only swimmers who are registered with our team and completed tryouts are allowed to be in the water for practice. I suggest EVERYONE arrive 10-15 minutes prior to your swimmer’s practice to allow for check in these first few days. If your swimmer is still needing to tryout, please contact me. They will not be able to practice until they have been cleared.
PRACTICE PROTOCOL
Just a reminder that during practices, only swimmers, coaches, and our swim team volunteers will be allowed inside the pool gate. We want to encourage kids to look to their coaches when they have questions or concerns.Parents will drop off swimmers at the front gate for practice, and pick up swimmers at the back gate. Restrooms will be open and available to all (swimmers and parents, etc), but for viewing, please bring a camping chair to sit outside the gate if you choose to stay during practice. If your swimmer needs help with their caps or goggles, or needs to apply sunscreen, please do so before you send them through the gate.
WEATHER
Please download the Swimtopia Mobile App. This is the FASTEST way to find out if the pool is closed, practice is canceled, etc. If you do not hear we have canceled practice, then we have not! Remember when it comes to San Antonio weather, it could be flooding on one side of town, and not a drop of rain at another, so please subscribe to notifications on the APP!
PARKING
The parking lot will be closed off for our swim coaches and the tennis coaches. Please only park on the pool side of the street, parking on both sides creates major traffic issues.
We also ask that you use the cul-de-sac to turn around rather than the parking lot, there are a lot of kids darting across the street this time of year, so please be cautious!!!
ATTENDANCE
Attendance at all practices and/or meets is not required. Many of our swimmers participate in other sports, dance, etc. We just ask that if you are going to be gone for longer than a week, please let us know via email to [email protected]. For swim meets, we need everyone to go to their account and opt in to swim meets IF your swimmer is attending. I will send a separate email about this later.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS
I know that during registration, there is a place to note any medical conditions. Please let us know if any accommodations need to be made for your swimmer DURING PRACTICE, or if there is anything we need to keep an eye out for DURING PRACTICE. For example, if your swimmer has asthma, and requires an inhaler to be taken during practice, please let us know. Sharing any information that would help them be successful is most appreciated. Please email me at [email protected] so I can relay the information to our coaches.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE
After School- starting May 4th, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays (4 days a week)
- 4:45-5:15pm 5/6 yrs
- 4:30-5:15pm 7/8 yrs
- 5:15-6:00pm 9/10 yrs
- 6:00-6:45pm 11/12/13 yrs
- 6:45-7:45pm 14 & up
SWIM MEET SCHEDULE
There are 4 dual meets and one Championship meet held at the end of the season. Start time will be around 8am.
- Sat, May 30th- Away Meet @ Rogers Ranch Waverunners
- Sat, June 6th- Home Meet v Encino Park (A)
- Sat, June 13th- Away Meet @Regency
- Sat, June 20th- Home Meet v Harmony Hills
- Sat, June 27th- (TBD) Champs Meet (you must qualify for this)
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, May 4th- First Day of Practice
*Wednesday, May 13th- Parent Meeting
Friday, May 15th- Swim Team Kick Off Party
Monday, May 25th- Memorial Day- NO PRACTICE
Thursday, May 28th- Last Day of Afternoon Practice
Saturday, May 30th- Away Swim Meet vs. Rogers Ranch Waverunners
Monday, June 1st- First Day of Morning Practice
Please check the website calendar for more information regarding swim team dates. You can access it here: https://scsharks.swimtopia.com/swim_meets
*Due to unforeseen circumstances, our Shadow Cliff Swim Team Parent Meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday, May 13th from 5:30–6:30 PM. The meeting will be offered in a hybrid format, with the in-person portion held at the pool and a virtual option available using the following link: https://bit.ly/4vZrOYt. We strongly encourage all families to attend, as there are several important updates for this season, including changes to our CHAMPS meet format and venue. Thank you for your flexibility, and we look forward to connecting with you!
VOLUNTEERS
We cannot run our meets without the help of our parents! Please be on the lookout for sign up opportunities throughout the season. My first request is for stroke and turn officials. If you have interest in volunteering for these positions, you will need to attend a training clinic and reach out to me AND our meet ref, Kevin Tune, [email protected]
We will need proof of course completion. Please see attached documents for dates.
PRIVATE LESSONS
Many parents have reached out asking for private lessons for their swimmers so I’m attaching a document with the names and contact info for all our junior coaches that are doing private instruction this summer. Please feel free to reach out to them if you are looking for individualized or specific instruction, and/or if you’d like more information.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
We are looking forward to a wonderful swim season. I’ll be seeing you at the pool!
Regards,
Tracy Solis
Shadow Cliff Swim Team President
(210) 857-9710
Sophie Filipowicz
Shadow Cliff Swim Team Head Coach
