Saturday, October 27, 2018

Welcome Letter

The Pella Dolphins swim team is a recreation swim team sponsored by the City of Pella Recreation Commission.  Our coach this winter will be Jennie Hedrick-Rozenberg.
Swim team is designed to provide a competitive environment for the swimmers, so we do ask that all swimmers compete in at least one meet and attend at least one team practice a week.  That competition does not have to be at a high level, but swimmers should at least try a meet. This program is not designed to provide a lot of opportunity for individual stroke work; swimming lessons (group or private) are available at the Pella Indoor pool.
Pool Passes:
All swim team members must have or purchase a year pass to the Pella Pool.
  • If your pass expires before the end of the season, you will have to purchase another or pay daily admission.
  • If you are unable to purchase a pass, you will need to pay daily admission every time that you come to practice.  
    • If you forget your money, you will not be allowed to practice.)
Practices:
The season begins on Monday, November 5.  
  • Practices will be:
    • Monday/Tuesday/Thursdays: 3:45-4:30: 11&Up; 4:30-5:15: 10&Under
    • We understand other activities may conflict with the swim team schedule.
Meet & Activity Schedule:
November 5: First day of practice
November 16: Suit/Cap orders are due
November 17: Officials Clinic (parents)
November 24: Manning
December 1: Newton (afternoon)
December 8: Manning
December 15: Perry
December 29: Carroll
January 12: Grinnell
January 26: Brooklyn
February 2: Newton
February 9: Grinnell
February 16: Knoxville
March 9: GISL State @ Grinnell
March 23-24: MYAS regionals
Meet Information:
You will receive information prior to each meet, including event numbers, times and confirmation of location.  Parents are responsible for getting their child to all meets.
Suits:
Team suits will be available for order. We will have a sizing kit at the pool for your swimmer to try on suits to see what size fits your swimmer. You can leave a check for the suit at the pool office at your earliest convenience, all suits must be paid for prior to the swimmers getting their suit. Here is the order form and information: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqA6JB8J3-JCxCroyVHTz2KI9zriz0O_x-1z8eMkpK4VN74A/viewform?usp=sf_link
Caps:
We have caps for sale and will do an order for personalized caps this season. Non-personalized caps are $3.00 for latex and $10 for Silicone. You can leave a check for the cap(s) at the pool office at your earliest convenience, all cap(s) must be paid for prior to the swimmers getting their suit. Please contact coach Jennie for a cap. Order form for personalized caps is here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqA6JB8J3-JCxCroyVHTz2KI9zriz0O_x-1z8eMkpK4VN74A/viewform?usp=sf_link
Goggles:
Goggles are optional but we highly recommend the swimmers use them.  The swim team sells them at the pool office for $20.00. The pool cannot lend out goggles, so make sure that you have your own.
Officials Clinic:
There will be an official’s clinic on November 17th at the Drake Community Library from 10:30-2:00pm. There is no fee to this training. Our goal as a team is to have 10 new officials certified this season. Please let Jennie know if you are interested; we cannot host meets but we are able to help at other meets, this is a great opportunity to get involved.
Team Pictures:
We are working on getting the date and photographer squared away and will communicate this soon. We would like all swim team members to be in the group picture and if you would like individuals you may order those on your own.
GISL State Meet:
The end of the season meet this year will be our GISL state meet. In order to participate in the meet a swimmer must do all of the following:
  • Swim in at least ONE GISL Meet
  • Make the qualifying time for the meet in at least one event
    • Or be part of a relay that qualifies
Expectations:
Our swimmers are ambassadors for Pella and it is therefore expected that all swimmers conduct themselves accordingly during practices and all swim meets.  To keep the meet running smoothly, we ask that the swimmers sit by the rest of the team whenever they are not called for an event. There is usually some down time in between events, so swimmers need to bring something to read, cards to play, etc. to do when they are not swimming.    Swimmers also need to watch what they eat before and during meets.
Permission Forms:
Permission forms will be emailed out after the swim team roster is finalized. Permission forms are completely done online. Most of the meets the deadline will be the Monday one week prior to the meet.
The coach must do computer work for each swimmer for each event prior to the meet.  This takes a considerable amount of time, so please have permission slips in on schedule.  If a slip is turned in late, the swimmer may be able to swim in individual event(s), but the relays may already be decided.  IF YOUR CHILD GETS SICK OR CAN’T SWIM AT THE LAST MINUTE, PLEASE TEXT JENNIE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Swimmers will be entered in events that suit their skills.  If they have a preference, you can note that on the permission slip, but coach will have the last say. Changes in events will not be done on meet days, unless a mistake has been made.
Questions:
If you have questions concerning the swim team please contact the indoor pool.