EMC Eels Families,

This Saturday is TIME TRIALS! This first meet always feels a bit chaotic, but we promise it will get much easier. A swim parent’s greatest resource is other swim parents, so please ask around if you have questions or feel unsure about what you’re supposed to be doing. We are all in this together! There is a lot of important information here, so please read everything.

Volunteers

We have a few critical volunteer spots left to fill to run the meet smoothly. If you know you will miss a meet later in the season, please sign up for two spots on Saturday.

• Season-long needs:

1. Head timer: This person stands behind the blocks and runs backup watches in case any of the lane timers have malfunctions. They work half the meet each week and get to watch every event from on deck.
2. Tent coordinator: This person sets up the six age group tents before the meets and helps take them down at the end. They keep the tents with them during the week, so a truck is helpful. They work the beginning and end of every meet, but have no obligations during the actual meet and won’t miss any of the action.

• Time Trials needs:

1. Second Shift Ready Bench (4): These people help line up the kids on the north side of the pool to ensure they are in the correct spot for their events.
2. Second Shift timers (8): These people use stopwatches and our new TimeDrops system to record official times for each swimmer. They get to watch every event.

Time Trials Schedule:

6:30am – Meet Set Up People arrive and begin to set out tents and block off walkways. We will be setting up in the parking lot east of the natatorium. It will be blocked off for the meet. Here is a map of our meet setup.

7:00 – Families Arrive, CHECK IN your swimmers at the Check In table with Aaron and Ken to receive swimmer event numbers. Check in with Brooke at the Volunteer Table and get your badge. Set up your tent area (check the map above). Using a sharpie, write your swimmers’ last name on their backs and event numbers down their right arm.

7:30 – Warm Ups start by age group. MUST BE CHECKED IN by this point. If you are arriving after 7am, text Aaron Wood 713-876-1930. Please put your child's First and Last name in the text. Parents, grab breakfast and a coffee! Take a deep breath!

7:45 – The announcer will call a timer and scribe meeting on deck to explain their duties.

8:20 – National Anthem and 1st Shift Timers and Scribes to their positions. Event 1 to the ready bench.

8:30 – Start the Meet

?? – Event 41 starts and 2nd shift relieves first shift timers and scribes. Announcer will let you know when to go over to relieve.

Helpful Tips:

• Temperatures may be a bit cooler than we are used to on Saturday morning, so please bring your swimmer a hoodie or blanket for between their events. Please secure all tents against the wind.
• Encourage your 10U child to hang out in the age tent. Let them get to know each other and have fun. Bring games and toys for entertainment between events, but please no balls. Sidewalk chalk, Beyblades, rubber band bracelets, and coloring books are all great. Introduce yourself to the tent parents. Make friends!
• Download the SwimTopia app. The paid version is very helpful in May and June. The times are unofficial, but will give you a good idea about how your swimmer is doing.
• Pay attention to the announcer. He will let you know what events, what’s going on, and when to send kids to the ready bench.
• If you are a veteran swim parent, please help anyone new learn the ropes.
• Clean up at the end of the meet. Be sure to get all your belongings out of the age group tent. Help tent parents take down the tent after.
• Your swimmer will do every event they have worked on at practice to get a base time for the season. There will not be relays at time trials. Relays are formed for the first dual meet off of the times from this one.

Merchandise

Most merchandise, including team tshirts and suits, is in and ready to be picked up. We will have caps, goggles, and swim fan essentials available for purchase at the meet as well. If you missed the deadline to order the team suit, you can do so directly through SwimOutlet (female and male).

Concessions

EMC Eatery will be open with Freddy’s breakfast tacos and snacks. We are thrilled to add hamburgers and hotdogs to our menu this season! We will also be welcoming back EMC Family-Owned El Nutty Bean to the natatorium. Jeremiah’s Italian Ice will be providing cool treats and donating $1 back to the team for every treat sold. When you purchase snacks and drinks during the meets, you are helping the team AND local businesses!

Tonight (Thursday)

Reminder there is NO EMC EELS PRACTICE TONIGHT, but we will be hanging out at Raising Cane’s Valley Ranch 4:30-8:30. Whether you choose to drive through or come in and hang out with the coaches, please mention the EMC Eels when ordering. The money we raise on Spirit Nights help us to provide fun events like the pep rallies, bingo night, and awards night.

Friday

Our first pep rally of the season is on Friday 6-7! Each practice group will have a shortened time in the pool. Our hope is that everyone can join us on the front lawn for team spirit and games and popsicles.

5:00-5:30 – 6 and under

5:30-6:00 – 7-8s

6:00-7:00 – Pep Rally

7:00-7:30 – 9-10s

7:30-8:00 – 11 and up

Swim Fast!

EMC Board of Directors

Fast. Ferocious. Family.