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    Time Trials/Team Photos, Popcorn Fundraiser, Meet Sign-ups

    May 27th

    5/27/2024 

    Greetings Cary Park Sea Dragon (CPSD) Families!

    We hope CPSD families enjoy the long weekend as they honor the fallen heroes of our US Military personnel. No swim practice today, Monday, May 27th in observance of the holiday.

    Time Trials and Team Photos are on Saturday, June 1st. Time Trials Sign-Up Deadline is Wednesday, May 31st @ midnight. Please RSVP if your athletes are attending or not attending. Swimmers will arrive at Cary Park Pool wearing their swimsuits at 6:45 am. Time trials are expected to last until 11 am (latest noon). Time trials are not mandatory and there will not be make-up time trials. Mini Sea Dragons do not participate in time trials, however, they are welcome to come for the team photo (not required). Please read below for all the important details on the meet schedule, what to bring/wear, arm markings, parking, swimmer and spectator seating, event schedule and heat sheet, and concessions.

    Learn how to Sign-up for Swim Meets: Click HERE.  All dual meet sign-ups are open. If you know your athletes will or will not attend meets this season, it is easier to indicate if they are attending/not attending now to avoid missing deadlines. Selections can be changed up until the deadline.

    Swimtopia Mobile App allows families to follow Meet Events during meets. Please make sure you have downloaded Swimtopia Mobile App with Push Notifications. Click HERE to learn more.

    Our CPSD Team POP-UP Popcorn Fundraiser is Saturday, June 1st through Wednesday, June 5th! Help support our non-profit volunteer swim team! Funds will help keep team registration fees down for next year and support coaches' salaries. Plus your swimmer could win a Sea Dragon Rubber Duck and DJ a swim practice. The fundraiser is 100% contactless, which means orders are completed online and popcorn is shipped directly to the buyer. CPSD will keep 50% of the sales. Double Good popcorn is ultra-premium, delicious, and award-winning! Prices for Signature Bags (5 cups each) start at $11 and Curated Collections at $31. Click here to set up your pop-up store.  All CPSD families are encouraged to participate. For questions, please email Ross Brodbeck at [email protected].

    Congratulations to this week’s Sea Dragons of the Week (Click Here or see below). Each week, coaches highlight two swimmers from each age group for their work ethic, team spirit, personal improvement, and/or overall sportsmanship. Please make sure your family home address is accurate in your Swimtopia account. Volunteers place yard signs for Sea Dragon Swimmers of the Week and need accurate addresses. Thanks!

    Pre-ordered Spirit Wear will be distributed during the following practice/time trials dates and times:

    • Wednesday, May 29th 5-7 pm
    • Thursday, May 30th 5-7 pm
    • Saturday, June 1st 7-9 am
    • Monday, June 3rd 5-7 pm
    • Tuesday, June 4th 5-7 pm

    Volunteer Shift Sign-ups opened last Friday. Families should have signed up for no more than 12 volunteer points for the season. If you signed up for more than 12 volunteer points, please adjust shifts down to 12 points, or your shifts will be adjusted for you.

    Please consider Clerk of Course, Stroke and Turn, or Starter roles. TSA provides free training clinics for these roles, and CPSD volunteers can mentor you at time trials. Learn more about free TSA Clinics offered for the 2024 season: Click HERE. For questions about volunteering, please email the VP of Volunteers ([email protected]).

    To view which jobs you have signed up for and how many points you have earned:

    • Log in with your password to the team website.
    • In the top right corner, hover over “Welcome Name” and select My Account from the drop-down.
    • Under My Account, you can view family members, contact info, and volunteer jobs signed up for, and points earned.


    Upcoming Dates and Deadlines:

    • Time Trials Sign-Up Deadline:       Wednesday, May 31st @ midnight
    • Team Registration Closes:                Saturday, June 1st @ midnight
    • Time Trials and Team Photos:           Saturday, June 1st @ 6:45 am
    • Team Popcorn Fundraiser:                Saturday, June 1st to Wednesday, June 5th @ 4 pm
    • Pasta Pump Up Pot Luck:                 Monday, June 10th

    NEW / IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

    2024 Time Trials and Team Photos - Morning of Saturday, June 1st

    • Time Trials Registration Deadline: Wednesday, May 29th @ midnight
      • Please RSVP if your athletes are attending or not attending.
      • 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.
      • Time trials are NOT mandatory. If your swimmer is unable to attend time trials, the swimmer will be entered in the first meet using last season’s event time or entered with “no time”. There are NO make-up time trials.
    • Who: 
      • All competitive age group Sea Dragons Swimmers (Mini Sea Dragons do not swim Time Trials). Mini Sea Dragons are welcome to come (but not required) to come for team photos only.
    • 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.
      • Pro-tip: Use a permanent marker (Sharpie).
    • Swimmer’s 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, juice, and muffins will be available for purchase.

    POPCORN FUNDRAISER:

    • Full Fundraiser Details: Click Here
    • When:
      • Saturday, June 1st @ 4pm through Wednesday, June 5th @ 4pm
    • What:
      • CPSD Team POP-UP Popcorn Fundraiser through Double Good
      • Double Good popcorn is ultra-premium, delicious, and award-winning!
      • Prices for Signature Bags (5 cups each) start at $11 and Curated Collections at $31.
      • CPSD will keep 50% of the sales.
    • Who:
      • All CPSD families are encouraged to participate.
      • Top 3 swimmer fundraisers win a Sea Dragon Rubber Duck and DJ at swim practice
    • Where:
      • The fundraiser is 100% contactless, which means orders are completed online and popcorn is shipped directly to the buyer.
    • How:
      • Get Started:
        • Download the Double Good app
        • Enter our event code WDSOFL in the app
        • Create your Pop-Up Store
        • On June 1st @ 4 pm, share your Pop-Up Store with friends and family
        • Deadline for sales is Wednesday, June 5th at 4 pm
    • Why:
      • Help support our non-profit volunteer swim team! Funds will help keep team registration fees down for next year and support coaches' salaries.

    SPIRIT WEAR DISTRIBUTION:

    • Pre-ordered Spirit Wear will be distributed during the following practice/time trials dates and times:
      • Wednesday, May 29th 5-7 pm
      • Thursday, May 30th 5-7 pm
      • Saturday, June 1st 7-9 am
      • Monday, June 3rd 5-7 pm
      • Tuesday, June 4th 5-7 pm

    2024 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 2024 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 free TSA Clinic will be held at Cary Park Clubhouse on the morning of Saturday, June 8th. For all TSA Clinic dates, times, and locations: Click Here
    • Please notify the VP of Volunteers ([email protected]) if you attend and are trained for one of these positions.

    HOW TO SIGN-UP FOR SWIM MEETS IN SWIMTOPIA:

    • 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 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
    • Indicate swimmer’s relay participation status, select an option from the drop-down list for each swimmer:
      • Available for all relays
      • Arriving late, not available for early relays (medley relay)
      • Leaving early, not available for late relays (free relay)
      • Not available for any relays
    • Provide comments to coach regarding swimmer’s event preferences in the textbox.
    • Click Save to record your choices.
    • Pro-tip: All dual meet sign-ups are open. If you know your athletes will or will not attend meets this season, it is easier to indicate if they are attending/not attending now to avoid missing deadlines. Selections can be changed up until the deadline.

    SEA DRAGONS OF THE WEEK:

    • Each week, coaches highlight two swimmers from each age group for their work ethic, team spirit, personal improvement, and/or overall sportsmanship.
    • Congratulations to our first Sea Dragon Swimmers of the Week!
      • 6&U: Victoria Bendz, Ben Jones
      • 7&8: Ella Kwon, Cooper Baker
      • 9&10: Kailey Detmar, Frankie Shorter
      • 11&12: Myla Maiersperger, Daniel Dwyer
      • 13&14: Emma Grace Reynolds, Silas Abraham
      • 15&up: Jane Moore, Ryan Hahn
      • Note, Minis were undergoing evaluations this week, SDOTW starts next week for this group.

    REPEAT / REMINDER INFO:

    2024 VOLUNTEER SIGN-UPS:

    • Volunteer Job Sign-ups are open.
    • Please only sign-up for 12 Volunteer Points. Please be courteous so that all families have the opportunity to sign up for 12 points. Our team needs to ensure shifts are covered and not canceled last minute. If your family signed up for more than 12 volunteer points, please adjust shifts down to 12 points, or your shifts will be adjusted for you.
    • To view which jobs you have signed up for and how many points you have earned:
      • Log in with your password to the team website.
      • In the top right corner, hover over “Welcome Name” and select My Account from the drop-down.
      • Under My Account, you can view family members, contact info, and volunteer jobs signed up for, and points earned.

    CARY PARK SWIM CLUB POOL REGISTRATION:

    • For complete Cary Swim Club pool registration: CLICK HERE.

    CARY PARK SWIM TEAM REGISTRATION:

    • Team Registration closes June 1st.
    • All registrations submitted now will have a $10 late fee applied.
    • To register, please CLICK HERE.

    PRACTICE SCHEDULE:

    • The 2024 Practice Schedule and Practice Information are posted to the Team Website.
    • 2024 Practice Schedule: Click Here
    • 2024 Practice Information including attendance, conduct, and equipment: Click Here

    MEET SCHEDULE:

    • The dates and locations for dual meets are posted: CLICK HERE.

    CPSD TEAM CALENDAR:

    • Subscribe to the team Google Calendar to add events to your personal calendar. Google Calendar: CLICK HERE Public URL:CLICK HERE

    CPSD INCLEMENT WEATHER GUIDANCE:

    • For the complete Cary Park Sea Dragons Inclement Weather Guidance: Click HERE
    • Stay on top of urgent weather and meet alerts! Sign up for Push Notifications through the Swimtopia Mobile App. Click HERE to learn more.

    SEA DRAGONS TEAM SWIMSUITS:

    • For swimsuit options and/or to purchase the 2024 team suit: CLICK HERE.

    IN-SEASON SWIM CLINICS & LESSONS:

    • Note, all swim lessons through the CPSD team and CP Swim Club will not start until the Cary Park Pool opens (Saturday, May 11th).
    • For CPSD swim team members, swim lessons will be offered by CPSD coaches starting when the Cary Park Pool opens (Saturday, May 11th). Last year’s procedures will apply to team member lessons this summer.
    • For non-swim team Cary Park Swim Club members (ex. siblings that are not on the team), lesson information will be forthcoming once finalized by the new pool management company.
    • For pre- and in-season swim lesson information, please CLICK HERE.

    THANK YOU SPONSORS:

    2024 SCHEDULES:

    • Practice Schedule:
      • Mon May 27: Memorial Day - No Practice
      • Mon June 17: First Day Morning Practice
      • Thurs July 4: Independence Day - No Practice
      • Fri July 19: Last Day Practice
    • Meet and Social Events Schedule:
      • Sat June 1st: Time Trials
      • Sat June 8: Volunteer Training Mega Clinic
      • Mon June 10: Pasta Pump Up Pot Luck
      • Tues June 11: Home vs. Seven Oaks
      • Sat June 15: Pie the Coaches @ Sat AM Practice
      • Tues June 18: Away vs. University Club
      • Tues June 25: Home vs. Scottish Hills
      • Thurs June 27: 11+ Evening Pool Party
      • Tues July 2: Away vs. Abbington
      • Tues July 9: Away vs. Cary City
      • Sat July 13: Cary City Swim Meet @ Scottish Hills
      • Tues July 16: Home vs. Prestonwood
      • Wed July 17: Mini Meet at Home
      • Sat July 20: TSA Championships (tentative)
      • Tues July 23: CPSD Team Award Ceremony
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