The first swim meet is this Saturday, October 5, at the Alpharetta YMCA. We will be hosting swimmers and families from the Tull-Gwinnett YMCA. Below are the details you need to know for Saturday. 

We still need a few more volunteers! PLEASE consider volunteering if you haven't already signed up. A separate email will be sent to volunteers on Friday with additional details. 

Swimmers need to arrive at 2:30pm. Warm-ups are 2:45-3:15pm. The meet begins at 4:00pm. We estimate the meet will last about 3 hours. 

Before you arrive at the YMCA:

• The heat sheet with events and lanes will be emailed to the team Friday night or Saturday morning when it is available. Please print your own copy at home to follow the events at the meet. 
• Mark your swimmer with his/her name on their back shoulder and their Events/Heats/Lanes on their arm. A Sharpie marker works best. If you have never marked your swimmer, please refer to the document on the team website with instructions: https://iaysting.swimtopia.com/swim-meet-101

When you arrive at the YMCA:

• Enter through the YMCA via the ramp by the outside pool. You will see a sign directing swimmers and families this way. 
• Check in your swimmer at the check-in desk. This will be a table by the vending machines. Volunteers will also check-in at the desk and get their name tag. 
• Direct your swimmer to the basketball gym to set up where they want to sit and get ready for warm-ups.

What to bring: 

• Swimmers should wear the team suit or a solid black racing suit. They need to bring a swim cap and goggles. I recommend bringing extras of both - you never know when something might break.
• Swimmers and families should bring folding chairs, blankets, towels, etc. to sit on. There are limited chairs at the YMCA.
• Extra towels - for sitting on and drying off with.
• Swimmers should bring drinks and snacks and anything they want to entertain themselves with during the meet - books, cards, games, etc. 
• PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE put your swimmer's name or initials in all their gear - swim suits, team t-shirts, cap, goggles, swim bag, etc. Things get lost very easily!

General information about the meet:

• All swimmers MUST sit in the basketball gym. This is where the swimmers' names will be called for lining up for events. The Bullpen parents will not call names outside the gym or go looking for swimmers. Swimmers may NOT sit with families outside of the gym. Families ARE welcome to the sit in the gym. 
• We will have the basketball gym marked where the STING and Away teams can sit. Please be respectful and sit in the designated areas for the STING team. This will allow plenty of seating for the visiting team, as well. 
• ABSOLUTELY NO RUNNING IN THE GYM!!! I cannot stress this enough! The floor get slippery and we don't want anyone getting hurt. 
• Families may sit in the basketball gym with the swimmers, in the upstairs lobby in front of the glass, or in the downstairs lobby in front of the glass. Please keep in mind a corridor must be maintained for the swimmers to walk through and other guests at the YMCA. Parents may not sit on the pool deck for the duration of the meet - there isn't enough room!
• When it is your swimmers event, you are welcome to walk onto the pool deck for his/her event to watch. Please enter/exit through the door to the pool by the family locker rooms and steam room. ONLY swimmers will be entering the pool via the door by the Aquatics office. 
• Concessions will be available. A table will be set up in the rock wall area. There will be water, gatorade, snacks, and fruit. Prices range from $0.50 - $2.00. Cash or Venmo will be accepted. Please bring small bills if using cash. 
• You are free to leave the meet when your swimmer is finished swimming his/her events. Please make sure to pick up all belongings and pick up any trash. 
• Results will be posted in Swimtopia. Ribbons for the top 8 finishers in each event will be available next week at practice. 

If for any reason your swimmer cannot attend or is running late, please contact Coach Juan Carlos immediately. You can send him a direct message on GroupMe. He is "Juansame".

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. 

GO STING!!