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    Volunteer Sign-ups, Time Trials, 6&U/Mini Party

    May 24th

    5/24/2023

    Greetings Cary Park Sea Dragon (CPSD) Families!

    Sea Dragons took the plunge last weekend and are now cruising through Week 2!

    Parents, set your alarms because TONIGHT at 7 pm Volunteer Online Sign-ups are Open!

    There is A LOT of information to communicate as we start preparing for meets, volunteering, and social events - please take the time to scroll through this post and review the updates - thanks!

    IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:

    Practice Schedule:

    • No Swim Practices on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29th
    • Sea Dragon Mini Practice starts on Tuesday, May 30th
    • Practice Schedule - Click Here

    Upcoming Dates and Deadlines:

    • Volunteer Online Sign-Ups Open:    TODAY, Wednesday, May 24th @ 7 pm
    • Time Trials Sign-Up Deadline:          Wednesday, May 31st @ midnight
    • 6&U/Minis Party Sign-up Deadline:  Wednesday, May 31st @ midnight
    • 6&U/Minis Party:                                Thursday, June 1st, 6-7:30 pm
    • Team Registration Deadline:            Thursday, June 1st @ midnight
    • Time Trials/Team Photo:                   Saturday, June 3rd @ 6:45 am

    2023 Time Trials and Team Photos - Morning of Saturday, June 3rd

    • Time Trials Registration Deadline: Wednesday, May 31st @ midnight
      • See Meet Sign-Up Instructions Below
    • What: Time trials are a mock meet that provides swimmers the opportunity to practice events and get a baseline time. It is also a training opportunity for parents to learn how a meet is run and to learn about volunteer positions.
    • Who: All competitive age group Sea Dragons Swimmers (Mini Sea Dragons do not swim Time Trials)
    • Where: Home - Cary Park Swim Club, 5353 Cary Glen Blvd, Cary, NC 27519
    • Meet Schedule:
      • 6:45 am:
        • All Swimmers report to the pool wearing their team/red/black swimsuits. Swimmers go directly to their age group tent located under the pergola on the far side of the pool to be staged for photos. Parents will remain outside of the pool deck; coaches will direct swimmers on the deck.
        • All Volunteers report to the volunteer check-in table. (Note: Set-up volunteers arrive earlier at 6:30 am to set up the pool deck.)
      • 7:00 am - Team Photo (no caps or goggles)
      • Warm-ups are immediately following Team Photos by age groups (youngest to oldest)
      • 7:30 am - Timers and Clerk of Course meet in the clubhouse for instructions.
      • 8:00 am - Swim Meet Starts
      • Plan for the meet to run until ~11 am (finish no later than noon)
    • What to Wear:
      • Swimmers arrive in swimsuits; no caps or goggles for the team photo
      • After photos, swimmers will put on caps and goggles for warm-ups
    • Swimmer Arm Markings:
      • All swimmers’ arms need to be marked with their last name and swimmer number for identification.
      • Please mark swimmers’ arms prior to event arrival.
      • Left Arm: Last Name (written vertically)
      • Right Arm: Swimmer Number (written vertically)
      • Swimmer Numbers will be posted Here after June 1st.
      • Pro-tip: Use a permanent marker (Sharpie).
    • Swimmers' Packing List:
      • Goggles and cap
      • Towel and warm clothes
      • Foldable lawn chair
      • Full water bottle and snacks; some cash for concessions
      • Card games/books
      • Sunscreen
      • Do NOT bring valuables that may get lost
    • Parking:
      • Parking is available in the Cary Pool parking lot.
      • If the parking lot fills up, please park on side streets (do NOT park on Cary Glen Blvd.). Do not block intersections or driveways.
      • Walk or carpool, if convenient.
      • Please drive slowly and watch for children in the parking lot.
    • Swimmer Seating:
      • All Swimmers will sit on the pool deck by age group. Age Group tents will be labeled. Swimmers are encouraged to bring folding chairs to sit on (there will not be chairs on the deck).
      • Starting on the far left (near blocks) under the pergola begins the 6&Under tent and then age groups increase along the side of the pool under the pergola and wrap around the corner with the oldest age groups last.
      • Please see the seating diagram: Click Here
    • Spectator Seating:
      • ALL spectators and non-volunteers will be seated OUTSIDE of the pool fence. Please bring a lawn chair to sit in.
      • Only swimmers, coaches, and volunteers are permitted on the pool deck. Swimmers will be supervised by Dragon Tamer volunteers on the pool deck. Parents cannot sit with swimmers on the pool deck.
      • Parents should check swimmers out with Dragon Tamers, especially the younger age groups.
      • The Wade and Slide Pool will be closed to the swim team during the meet.
      • Please see the seating diagram: Click Here
    • Spectator Viewing:
      • To view your swimmer’s event, please enter the pool deck and proceed to the View and Go Lane. This lane is for parents with swimmers’ in the pool or in the next heat, and to give a hug/high-five immediately after swimmers finish their race. Parents then exit the pool deck to make room for other parents to view.
      • The Porch is also not available for spectator viewing; no parents on the porch during team photos.
      • Please see the seating diagram: Click Here
    • Event Order:
      • Swimmers 7 and up will swim all 4 individual events: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, in that order.
      • Swimmers 6 and under will swim 3 individual events: freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke.
      • There are no relays at time trials.
    • How to Read a Heat Sheet:
      • A heat sheet is a document that lists the order of events at the meet and includes the heat and lane assignments for each swimmer. Coaches, parents, and volunteers use a heat sheet to know who is swimming, when, and where.
      • The heat sheet will be made available to families prior to the meet (usually the day prior). With a premium Swimtopia Mobile Subscription, heat sheets are accessible in the app.
      • For instructions on how to read a heat sheet, please Click Here.
    • How to follow Meet Events with Swimtopia Mobile App
      • Live Event/Heat Indicator - SwimTopia Mobile displays a Live Event/Heat Indicator that keeps you up-to-date on what’s happening in the pool in real time. The Live Indicator is updated with the current event and heat being swum and is invaluable if you can’t see the pool from your volunteer position or spectator seating.
      • Heat Sheets & Estimated Start Times - With a Premium subscription, users can view the meet’s heat sheets in the app, including estimated start times for each event. As the meet progresses the estimated start times will adjust according to the actual progress of the meet for added accuracy, and with Premium, you’ll receive swim reminders for your favorite swimmers.
      • Try the Premium Subscription for FREE for 7 days, then upgrade for Premium access at $2.99/mo or $9.99/yr.
      • Download the Swimtopia Mobile App:
    • Concessions:
      • Coffee and muffins will be available for purchase.

    How to Sign-Up for a Meet in Swimtopia (including Time Trials):

    • Log in with your password to the team website.
    • Under the Meets & Events tab, select "Signup Calendar" to sign up for volunteer jobs.
    • Click the green MEET ENTRY tab, and then click the green EDIT tab under your athletes' names.
    • For each of your athletes, select an option from the drop-down list next to their names.
      • Attending
      • Not Attending
    • Click Save to record your choices.

    Age Group Party - 6 & Unders and Minis:

    • What: Enjoy pizza, ice cream sundaes, and a fun craft
    • Who: 6 & Under Age Group and Mini Sea Dragon Swimmers
    • When: 6:00 - 7:30 pm
    • Where: Cary Park Pool
    • Sign-up Deadline: Wednesday, May 31st @ midnight
    • Sign-up Information: Follow the sign-up instructions for Meets above
    • Payment Information:
      • $15 per age group swimmer which includes food and craft (payment available here)
      • $5 per sibling or parent for food only (payment available here)

    2023 Volunteer Sign-ups

    • Each registered family is obligated to complete 12 Volunteer Service Points over the summer swim season unless you ONLY have a Mini Sea Dragon or you ONLY have a 15+ swimmer.
    • Please review the Volunteer Policy and Expectations: Click Here.
    • The list of Volunteer Job Descriptions is posted: Click Here.
      • For each job, please note shift start and end times (volunteers need to report for entire duration), points assigned, and any additional requirements/training for the job.
    • Job Sign-up Website Instructions - Click Here
      • Log in with your password to the team website.
      • Under the Meets & Events tab, select "Signup Calendar" to sign up for volunteer jobs.
      • Click the green JOB SIGNUP tab for a meet/social event and sign up for volunteer shifts for that selected event (note one parent may sign up both parents for jobs -- scroll down and you’ll see the other parent listed).
      • Click Save Assignments.
      • Click Back to Signup Calendar.
      • Click on another green JOB SIGNUP tab for a different meet/social event and sign up. Remember to Click Save Assignments.
    • Pro-tip: Volunteer shifts fill quickly when sign-ups open. Be prepared with job preferences and available dates when sign-ups open.
    • Questions:
      • For additional questions, please email the VP of Volunteers at vpvolunteerscpsd@gmail.com.

    2023 TSA Volunteer Training Clinics

    • TSA Mega Clinics and Stroke and Turn Clinics provide volunteer training for the following specialized meet positions: Stroke and Turn Judges, Starters, Meet Administrators, and Coaches.
    • TSA is offering free Clinics for the 2023 season. No registration is required; please attend and sign in at the clinic to receive credit for certification.
    • All Stroke & Turn Judges, Starters, and Meet Administrators must attend one clinic.
    • Stroke & Turn judges need to be recertified each year.
    • A TSA Clinic will be held at Cary Park Clubhouse on the morning of Saturday, June 10th. For all TSA Clinic dates, times, and locations: Click Here
    • Please notify the VP of Volunteers (vpvolunteerscpsd@gmail.com) if you attend and are trained for one of these positions.

    REMINDER INFORMATION:

    • Team T-shirt and Spirit Wear Order Pick Up - For families that ordered team t-shirts or other merchandise, your orders can be picked up at:
    1. Time Trials - Saturday, June 3rd
    2. Swim Practice - Monday, June 5th 5:00-6:45 pm
    • Team Photos, Medals, and Merchandise -
      • If you missed the opportunity during registration to purchase a team photo or end-of-season team medal engraved with the swimmer’s name, please visit the Team Store to order.
      • Sea Dragon magnets, waterproof pouches, and ponchos can also be purchased at the Team Store.
      • Reminder, every swimmer will receive a free yearly pin at the banquet. The pin can be added to a year’s prior medal OR swimmers can purchase a new medal each year and add each year’s pin to a new medal. Cary Park medals are engraved with the swimmer's name.
    • Team Caps - Silicone team caps may be purchased through the team store and purchased caps will be distributed at swim meets. Silicone team caps are $15 each.

    REPEAT INFORMATION:

    • Cary Park Swim Team Registration - Registration closes June 1st. Click Here.
    • Sea Dragons Team Swimsuits - Swimsuit options, fitting, and ordering information are posted on the Swimtopia team website. Click Here.
      • *NOTE: A team, red, or black swimsuit is only required for swim meets. Swimmers may wear any swimsuit color/style they prefer to practice.
    • Practice Schedule/Information -
    • Family Orientation Information Session Slides: Click Here
    • Swimtopia Mobile App Push Notification for Weather and Meet Alerts -
      • Download the Swimtopia Mobile App and Allow Push Notifications:
    • Thank You CPSD Sponsors:
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