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For those who did not attend Parent Night.....

August 18th

Welcome to the Alpharetta YMCA STING swim team for the 2026-2027 swim season!

Thanks to all the families who were able to attend the information meeting. Below is a summary of everything that was discussed. There is a lot of important information. Even if you were at the meeting, please be sure to read to the very end. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Aquatics Director Vivian Drago ([email protected]) or one of the coaches.

The team utilizes Swimtopia to manage the team (registration, meet signups, results, volunteer opportunities, etc.). The team Swimtopia site is https://iaysting.swimtopia.com/

COACHES:

  • Head Coach - Coach Juan Carlos
  • Assistant Coach - Coach Jeff
  • Aquatics Director - Vivian Drago

PRACTICE GROUPS:

  • Beginner
  • Advanced Beginner/Age Group 1
  • Pre-Intermediate/Age Group 2
  • Intermediate/Senior Prep
  • Advanced/Senior

Practices began the week of August 10. The schedule of days/times for each practice group can be found on the Swimtopia site: https://iaysting.swimtopia.com/practice-schedule

SWIMMER EXPECTATIONS:

  • Be on time and ready for practice and meets.
  • Have all equipment and water bottle ready on the pool deck.
  • Use the bathroom BEFORE practice begins.
  • NO SWIMMERS IN THE +18YO BATHROOMS- please use the youth bathrooms on the right side of the pool deck.
    • YMCA Locker Room Policy: Please be aware the Boys and Girls locker rooms are for swimmers ONLY. Parents are NOT allowed in the Boys and Girls locker rooms before/after practice or meets. Family locker rooms are provided if your swimmer needs assistance.

RAIN OUT POLICY: 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.

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

  • Team swimsuit for meets (or a plain black racing suit).

oA swimsuit fitting is scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 4:30-6:30pm. Swimmers can come 30 minutes before their practice time to try on a suit. More details were sent in a separate email.

- Once your swimmer knows what size he/she needs, the suit may be ordered from the vender via the link on the Swimtopia site > Team store: https://reddiset.com/collections/alpharetta-family-ymca-sting

- Girl's team suit - $65

- Boy's team suit - $49/$41 depending on style

  • Team t-shirt

- We expect to have the team t-shirts in time for the first meet.

  • Swim cap

- Each swimmer will receive one team swim cap.

- Any extras or replacements are $5/each.

- It is also suggested to have multiple swim caps in reserve for practice and/or meets.

  • 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.

§Goggles should be "swimmer" style goggles; NOT "scuba" goggles. No goggles with nose covering will be allowed at practice or meets.

  • Fins - all practice groups need fins. Everyone must have their own set. The YMCA does not have enough sets for all swimmers.
  • Kickboard - all practice groups need a kickboard.
  • Hand paddles - ONLY needed for the Senior practice group.
  • Pull buoy - ONLY needed for the Senior practice group.
  • Links for all the required equipment are on the Swimtopia site under the Practice Schedule tab.
  • 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 PLEASE PLEASE PUT YOUR SWIMMER'S NAME ON EVERYTHING!!***

TEAM COMMUNICATIONS:

  • Swimtopia

- The team Swimtopia site is https://iaysting.swimtopia.com/

- All email communications are sent via Swimtopia.

- Your Swimtopia account is set up with your registration. It is recommended to include both parents in Swimtopia to receive all communications.

- Meet sign-ups and volunteer registration will be done via Swimtopia.

- The mobile app is free, but you can pay $14.99/year to see meet results.

§You can "family share" a paid Swimtopia account.

  • GroupMe

- The link to join the GroupMe group is on the Swimtopia site under News>Communications STING 2026-27

- The GroupMe app is free.

- It is recommended both parents join the GroupMe group.

- 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:

  • Swim meets are typically held once a month on Saturday afternoons beginning in October.
  • There will be "home" meets 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 typically last 2 1/2 - 3 hours. Swimmers will arrive early for warm-ups. Exact times will be communicated closer to meet day.
  • Every swimmer must declare his/her attendance if they are/are not participating in the meet. This will be done ~10 days prior to the meet. Exact deadline to declare will be communicated closer to the meet day.
  • Last minute changes to a swimmer's attendance at the meet impact the entire 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 his/her DOB as of 9/1/2026.
  • The coaches will assign events and relays for the meets. Every swimmer will swim each individual event over the course of the first meets.
  • Ribbons are awarded to the top 8 finishers of each EVENT (not heat).
  • Swimmers must swim in at least 2 meets during the season in order to be eligible to swim in the championship meet.

- The championship meet is held at the end of the season (usually early March) and includes swimmers from all the metro Atlanta YMCA teams.

  • The expectation is that team members will participate in the meets; not just attend practice.

PARENT EXPECTATIONS:

  • Swimmer will attend practice and meets and will be on time.
  • YMCA policy states a parent CANNOT drop their swimmer at the Y unless the swimmer is 13 years and older. A parent must stay on the Y campus during practice.
  • A parent must declare their swimmer's attendance for every meet (ATTENDING or NOT ATTENDING).
  • Parents are REQUIRED to volunteer for at least 3 meets. Parents must volunteer for 3 meets in order for their swimmer to be eligible to swim in the championship meet at the end of the season.
  • NO PARENTS IN THE UNDED 18YO BATHROOMS - Please only use the adult bathrooms. if you swimmer needs help, please use the family bathrooms. Failure to adhere to this policy is a violation of or Youth and Teens safety and can result in consequence of your membership.
    • Protect our Kids at all costs!

- There are volunteer opportunities for HOME and AWAY meets. A meet cannot happen without parent support!

- Example volunteer jobs: timer, bullpen parent, set up/clean up, concessions, etc.

  • YMCA Locker Room Policy: Please be aware the Boys and Girls locker rooms are for swimmers ONLY. Parents are NOT allowed in the Boys and Girls locker rooms before/after practice or meets. Family locker rooms are provided if your swimmer needs assistance.

ACTION ITEMS:

The team is also about fun and building community. The team plans to host a holiday fun practice and end of season banquet.

Coach Juan Carlos and Coach Jeff's goals for the season include:

  • Proper technique instruction.
  • Personal time improvement over place.
  • Have fun and build friendships.

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Vivian (email) or one of the coaches (via groupme).

GO STING!

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