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STING - welcome to the team!

August 19th

Welcome to the STING swim team for the 2025-2026 swim season! We are looking forward to a great season of swimming, teamwork, and community. There is a lot of information in the below email, PLEASE read it and feel free to reach out if you have any questions. 

The coaches for the team are Juan Carlos Sanchez (Head Coach) and Jeff Loushin (Assistant Coach). Both bring a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the team. 

The coaches have 3 goals for the year:

  1. Improve all four strokes.
  2. Celebrate improvement in time (more important than place of finish).
  3. Have fun.  

Below is a breakdown of the different practice groups. Swimmers are assigned a practice group by the coaches to best fit their swimming level and ability. As the season progresses there may be some movement of swimmers between groups. The times and days for each group's practice are posted on the team website: https://iaysting.swimtopia.com/practice-schedule

  • Age Group 1 (Younger Beginner)
  • Age Group 2 (Older Beginner)
  • Senior Prep (Intermediate)
  • Senior (Advanced)

Swimmers are expected to be on time and ready for practice with their equipment. They should use the bathroom BEFORE practice begins.

***Rain policy for pool: The pool will close if there is lightning within a 10 mile radius of the YMCA. If this is the case, the swimmers will have a dry land practice and should wear sneakers. Only in rare instances will practice be cancelled. If practice is cancelled, it will be communicated to the team via GroupMe and/or Swimtopia.***

Below is a list of equipment that your swimmer will need for every practice. Links are provided with the preferred style of equipment needed. Swim Outlet a lot of times has the best prices, but many items can also be purchased at Dick's Sporting Goods, Academy Sports, or Amazon. This list is also posted on the team website with the practice schedule. 

  • Team swimsuit for meets (or plain back racing swimsuit)
    • Team swimsuit fitting will be Thursday, Aug 21 4:30-6:30 with the vendor. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your swimmer’s practice time.
    • To order a team swim suit, please visit the link on the team website under "Team Store"  https://reddiset.com/collections/alpharetta-family-ymca-sting
    • If you are unable to come to the fitting, the team suit is "TYR" brand. This brand is usually in stock at Dick's Sporting Goods or Academy Sports. Your swimmer can try on a suit there and place the order via the team site. 
    • Racing swim suits are not sized like regular street clothes. I HIGHLY suggest your swimmer try one on before placing an order. Team suits CANNOT be returned to the vendor! 
  • Team t-shirt (need swimmer's size on swimmer information form). These will be worn for meets. An order for the team will be placed and the t-shirt will be distributed at the end of September. 
  • Swim cap – Each swimmer will receive one team swim cap; any extras/replacements are $5. It is also suggested to have multiple swim caps in reserve for practice and/or meets. Plain swim caps can be bought at Wal-Mart or sporting goods stores.
  • Goggles – Goggles are personal preference depending on what your swimmer likes. At least 2 pairs of goggles are suggested for practice and/or meets. A goggle case is also suggested to keep them safe.
  • Fins – All practice groups will use fins. https://www.swimoutlet.com/products/sporti-essential-floating-swim-fins-color-8201640
  • Kick board – All practice groups will use kickboards. https://www.swimoutlet.com/products/tyr-junior-ki...
  • Hand paddles – These are needed for the Senior Prep and Senior practice groups only. https://www.swimoutlet.com/products/sporti-power-...
  • Pull buoy – This is needed for the Senior practice group only. https://www.swimoutlet.com/search?q=pull+buoy
  • Swim bag – A swim bag is personal preference. It is recommended your swimmer has one that will “breathe” and drain water.
  • Water bottle/ towel
  • PLEASE PUT YOUR SWIMMER’S NAME ON EVERYTHING! 

All team communications are sent via Swimtopia and/or GroupMe. You will receive an invitation to both to set up an account and join. 

  • Swimtopia
    • The team website is https://iaysting.swimtopia.com
    • Email communications are sent via Swimtopia. Both parents will be set up in Swimtopia to receive communications. 
    • Meet signups and volunteer signups are done via Swimtopia.
    • The Swimtopia mobile app is free, but you can pay $9.99/year to see meet results.
  • GroupMe
    • You will receive an invitation to join this year’s team: STING 2025-26
    • Download the free app and accept invitation.
    • Both parents will receive the invitation.
    • GroupMe is used to communicate reminders, last minute changes, etc.
    • Both coaches can be contacted via GroupMe
      • Coach Juan Carlos = juansame
      • Coach Jeff = jeff loushin

Swim meets are held typically once a month on Saturday afternoons beginning in October. There will be “home” meets hosted at the Alpharetta YMCA and “away” meets hosted at other metro Atlanta YMCA facilities. We expect to have the meet schedule at the beginning of September.

  • The meets begin at 4:00pm and usually last 2 ½- 3 hours. Swimmers will arrive early for warmups. Exact times will be communicated closer to the meet day.
  • Every swimmer must declare his/her attendance if they will be participating in the meet. This needs to be completed ~10 days ahead of the meet. Exact deadlines will be communicated closer to the meet day.
  • Last minute changes impact the team and relays. No shows will impact a swimmer’s eligibility to participate in relays in future meets.
  • A swimmer’s age division is based on DOB as of 9/1/2025.
  • The coaches will assign events and relays. Every swimmer will swim each individual event over the course of the first few meets.
  • Ribbons are awarded to the top 8 finishers per EVENT (not heat).
  • Swimmers must swim in 2 meets in order to be eligible to swim in the championship meet.
    • The championship meet is held at the end of Feb/begin March and includes swimmers from all the metro Atlanta YMCA teams.
  • The expectation is that team members will participate in meets; not just attend practice.

The team will not be a success without the involvement of parents. The following are the parent expectations for practice and for meets:

  • Swimmers will attend practice and be ready and on time.
  • Parents CANNOT drop their swimmer at the Y unless the swimmer is 13 years and older. Parent must stay on Y campus! This is a Y policy.
  • A parent must declare their swimmer’s attendance for every meet (YES or NO).
  • Parents are requested to volunteer for at least 2 meets.
  • Parents are REQUIRED to volunteer for 1 meet for their swimmer to be eligible to swim in the championship meet.
  • There will be volunteer opportunities for home and away meets. A meet cannot happen without parent support!
    • Example volunteer jobs: timers, bullpen parents, check in, concessions

Some other housekeeping items as we kick off the swim season: 

  • Be sure to fill out the attached Swimmer Info form and return it to a coach or Emily Crenshaw by Aug 31.
  • Accept invites for Swimtopia and GroupMe.
  • Locker Room Policy: PLEASE be aware the Girls and Boys lockers rooms are for the swimmers. Parents are NOT ALLOWED in the locker rooms before/after practice or during meets. Family locker rooms are provided if your swimmer needs assistance. This is a Y policy in order to the keep the swimmers safe.
  • The team is also about fun and building community. We plan to host at least 2 team events:
    • Holiday pool party
    • End of year banquet

I know that was a lot... please feel free to reach out with any questions. 

Thanks,

Emily Crenshaw (parent volunteer)

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