Sailfish SCOOP - 05.21.2024

May 21st

HAPPY RAINY TUESDAY, SAILFISH FAMILY!

It’s raining cats and dogs out there while I’m writing today’s missive. Too bad that it’s not raining chickens and ducks. (That’d be poultry in motion, if I do say so myself….)

Okay — enough with the jokes — on to today’s SCOOP!

REMINDER - PRACTICE CHANGES THIS WEEK!

On Thursday, May 23rd, we will adjust our practice schedule for the High Plains 5th Grade Graduation Party that starts at 6:30. 13-18 year olds WILL NOT SWIM on May 23rd. The 9-10 & 11-12 group will swim from 5:00-6:00 pm. Also, we do NOT have practice on May 24th - the last day of school. (WOO HOO!!!!)

EVENING PRACTICES START NEXT WEEK

We will once again be offering evening practices for those swimmers who have other morning commitments, such as camp. These practices will be on Mondays & Wednesdays from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. Next Wednesday, May 29, is our first evening practice.

You must sign up in advance if you wish to attend these practices because we only have space for 18 swimmers. If you practice in the morning, you do not need to attend evening practices. Mudskippers may not attend evening practices. Sign up for next Wednesday’s evening practice HERE. (Other signups coming in future editions of the SCOOP.)

We will use 3 lanes for this practice and the Sundance Pool will remain open for families and other swimmers.

FAMILIES WHO REGISTERED AFTER MAY 10

Registrations AFTER our merchandise order deadline of May 10th are subject to delay and product availability. While all swimmers will receive a shirt, we cannot guarantee it will be in your first choice size. If we are unable to fill your purchased shirt order, we will issue a refund.

If you haven’t ordered your team suit yet but would like one, please do so ASAP. (Team suits are not required but encouraged.) At this point, you will need to go to MI Sports to get fitted and order your suit, and your suit should arrive mid-season. Go to our online MI store for more information.

NOTE: The store will close for good on May 28! Orders will take approximately 2 1/2 weeks to arrive, and you can choose to have items shipped to the store for pickup or directly to your home.

DECLARE YOUR SWIMMERS FOR MEETS!

Remember that email from Coach Henry asking you to get your swimmers registered for meets? (I do. I read ALL the emails.) If you’re like me, you can’t remember how to declare my swimmers, however. GOOD NEWS!!! We’ve got a webpage that tells you how. CLICK HERE and read all about it!

As a reminder -

Just-for-Fun Meet:

Date: Thursday, May 30, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Registration: Sign up for ONE freestyle event and ONE non-freestyle event. Relays will be closed for this meet.
Deadline: Registration closes on Tuesday, May 28. Late registration will be open until Wednesday, May 29.

First Home Meet:

Date: Saturday, June 1
Registration: Swimmers can sign up for up to 3 individual events. Indicate interest in relays while signing up for events and add any comments, such as stroke preference.
Deadline: Registration closes on Tuesday, May 28. Late registration will be open until Wednesday, May 29.

MUDSKIPPER NEWS

We would like to introduce our Mudskipper Head Coach, Matt Gibson! Matt might be a familiar face for veteran Sailfiish, as he was our team’s head coach in past years. We are so excited to have Matt back- read his bio here! Ellie Ross, our 6 & under coach, will be assisting Matt throughout the season as well. What an awesome team for our youngest swimmers!

Our Mudskipper program is scheduled to start next Wednesday May 29, with Skipper coach training on Tuesday May 28.

Mudskipper and Skipper families- expect to see an email from Matt shortly with info about your season!

CALLING ALL BIG FISH & LITTLE FISH!

The Big Fish, Little Fish program is designed to build relationships, camaraderie, and team spirit between the age groups. The program is not about elaborate gifts – it is about actions and behavior. It is about being a supportive teammate! Both swimmers are encouraged to cheer each other on at practices and meets. However, the Big Fish should take the lead to be a mentor, cheerleader, and role model of what makes a good teammate. To ensure the success of the program, it is important that Big Fish fulfill these expectations. If you don’t think you can reliably serve in this role, please don’t sign-up to participate in the program.

Here’s How to Get Involved:

CREATE- Write your Big/ Little Fish a note, draw a picture, or make a friendship bracelet! Use your talents to inspire your Big/ Little Fish to swim fast and psych them up for a great meet!
CHEER - Be the loudest and most supportive teammate on the pool deck!
AT THE POOL- If you are at the pool, meet up with for some fun. Go for a swim (Big Fish can help Little Fish with their strokes), a walk, or even a snack together.

Make this a memorable experience for you as well as them!!

BIG FISH: Be 10 or older You must commit to cheering on your Little Fish. If possible, let your Little Fish know when you are going to miss a meet or any social event.

LITTLE FISH: Age 9 and under Just let us know if your child wants to participate! If possible, let your Big Fish know when you are going to miss a meet or any social event.

Please complete THIS FORM for each swimmer that would like to participate. Please complete the form by Tuesday, May 21 After you sign-up, you will be assigned a Big/Little Fish who is counting on you! If for any reason you are no longer able to participate, please email Natalie Messersmith or call her at 720-971-9774.

CALLING ALL BIG KIDS!

RISING 7th GRADERS AND OLDER SIGN UP NOW!

The Big Kids program is back this year and better than ever! We have a ton of fun events planned, and new ways to communicate events so you and your Big Kid can stay in the loop. If you have a Sailfish swimmer that is a rising 7th grader or older, please take the following steps:

Check out our new Big Kids page! This will be updated as we add events throughout the year.
Fill out this Google form! This will ensure that both you and your Big Kids have a finger on the pulse of all things Big Kids this year.
Talk up the Big Kids program with your kids. We know they'll have a great time hanging with their friends outside the pool and we want to get them excited about it!
Not sure? Encourage your Big Kid to attend the first event. It's super chill and low commitment - stop by for a donut on the Friday of the first morning practice, May 31.

REMEMBER TO DROP OFF YOUR CANDY DONATION

If you signed up to donate candy for the Just For Fun Meet, please drop off the candy at the Harvey Household (5651 S. Hanover Way) by Wednesday, May 29th.

BAGS OF FUN SWIM-A-THON

On Thursday, June 20th we will host the Sundance Hills Swim-A-Thon as usual during regularly scheduled practice times. At 5pm we invite swimmers and families, current and past, as well as the Sundance Hills Community at Large to join us for an evening of joy, laughter and REUNION to come together to remember all of the amazing reasons that this community is the place that Gabby spent her summers. We will be inviting as many former swimmers and coaches as we can find to return to the pool, dust off their caps and goggles, and spend an evening of food, fun, and friendly competition. We will celebrate the swimmers who raised the most, swam the furthest, cheered the loudest, and give current swimmers a chance to make all of us feel really, really old. Please register HERE and let us know how many people in your family will be joining us!

A BIG THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME TO OUR ADULT PARTY!

A HUGE thanks for coming out for our first ever adult party- I think it’s safe to say it won’t be our last! It was wonderful to meet and mingle with parents before the season gets underway. We are so appreciative of our generous Board for donating the amazing food and drinks, and a special shout out to our skilled bartenders! Through our silent auction and other donations, we raised over $1100 for Sailfish!