STING swimmers and families, 

The next STING swim meet is this Saturday, January 18, at the East Lake Family YMCA. It is located at 275 E Lake Blvd Atlanta (I believe the road has changed names recently and it used to be called Eva Davis Way - in case your GPS doesn't recognize the address.). Below are the details you need to know for Saturday.

We still need 4 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 by 3:00pm. Warm-ups are 3:20-3:50pm. The meet begins at 4:00pm. We estimate the meet will last about 3-3.5 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.
  • The check in volunteers will not be available to mark your swimmer. If you need assistance, please ask a veteran parent.

When you arrive at the YMCA:

• Check in your swimmer at the check-in table. This will be located in the basketball gym. Volunteers will also check-in at the table 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.
• If you are running late and will not be to the Y by 3:20pm when warm-ups start, please send Emily Crenshaw a direct message in GroupMe. That way, we know you are on your way. Otherwise, we will start calling missing swimmers at 3:30pm if we have not heard from you.

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 in the gym.
• Extra towels - for sitting on and drying off with. I would also recommend bringing a sweatshirt, blanket, parka, etc. The gym area is often pretty cold.
• 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 - swimsuits, 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 sit in the gym.
• ABSOLUTELY NO RUNNING IN THE GYM!!! I cannot stress this enough! The floor gets slippery and we don't want anyone getting hurt.
• Families may sit in the basketball gym with the swimmers. Parents MAY NOT sit on the pool deck.
• Only volunteers are allowed on the pool deck. There is a viewing area with windows where you can watch your swimmer's events. 
• The East Lake team will have a concessions stand set up in the gym. 
• 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, 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!!