Dear HVST Swimmers and Families: 

Our third dual meet, again on our own turf, is on Saturday! There is A LOT of important information in this email so please read in its entirety. 

LAKE FOREST II (LFII) VS. HVST HOME MEET: 

We are looking forward to a fun swim meet against Lake Forest II Dolphins at our own pool on Saturday, June 17th. Swimmers will race a selection of individual strokes plus there will be relays. 

SCHEDULE: 

We are hosting a split meet format. This means that all swimmers ages 9+ will swim from 9am-11:30am, while swimmers in the 5/6 and 7/8 age groups will swim from 12 noon-2:30pm (these times are approximations, all meets run at different speeds).

• Warm-ups for HVST swimmers ages 9+: 7:45am - 8:45am (HVST will be warming up in lanes 1-4) 
• Warm-ups for HVST swimmers ages 5-8: 11:30am - 12noon (HVST will be warming up in lanes 1-4) 

DECLARE YOUR SWIMMER: 

In order for our coaches to prepare for the meet, you MUST declare before Thursday, June 15th by 9pm your swimmer(s) as attending OR not attending the meet. Please use the notes function to note ANY AND ALL information about which strokes and relays your child is willing/unwilling to do. The youngest and newest swimmers often only do freestyle in dual meets, at the discretion of our coaches. Please declare each of your swimmers here.

SEEDING: 

This year, we are seeding our meets. We expect this will allow you to know exactly when your child will be swimming (event, heat, and lane) before the meet. This is why declaring your attendance is even more vital this year! Your Swimtopia app should have a lot of information available to you as to your swimmer’s race schedule (please still refer to our swimmer check-in information below to note necessary arrival times regardless of race schedule reported). 

SWIMMER IDENTIFICATION: 

BEFORE you arrive at the pool for check-in and AFTER applying sunscreen, please write your swimmer’s last name, first initial on their right arm and upper back. We double-y want to make sure the correct swimmer is in the correct event, heat and lane for timing data accuracy. Please bring a black Sharpie to write your swimmer’s name should it wash off during the event. 

Additionally, we will send out the PDF of events numbers, heat, and lane assignments on Friday, June 16th (the night before the meet). Again, this entire process is made easier by declaring and sticking to that declaration of attending or not attending the meet. 

SWIMMER DAY OF CHECK-IN: 

PLEASE arrive at the meet at least five minutes before your child's warm-up time (7:45am for 9-plus, 11:30am for 8 and under) and head directly to the HVST swimmer check-in table by the Sunny Corner. If your 9-plus child has chosen not to warm up, they must be at the HVST swimmer check-in table by the Sunny Corner no later than 8:30am. This also applies to the afternoon ages 5-8 swimmers: please check-in no later than 11:30am, even if not planning to warm up. Please watch Coach Maye and Coach Kate’s tutorial video about checking in here.

VOLUNTEER DAY OF CHECK-IN: 

Volunteers are to arrive 30 minutes ahead of the start of the meet for training and staffing purposes. 

• If you are set to volunteer for the first half of the meet, you are to arrive at the HVST volunteer check-in table by the baby pool by 8:30am and training will start at 8.45am at the baby pool. 
• If you are set to volunteer for the second half, please arrive at the HVST volunteer check-in table by the baby pool by 11:30am and training will start at 11.45am at the baby pool. 

If you have a swimmer to check in for the same shift, you must arrive at the HVST swimmer check-in table well before 8:30am / 11.30am to ensure you are at volunteer check-in by 8:30am / 11.30am. 

VOLUNTEER ROLES: 

There are still open volunteer roles available. If you need to fulfill volunteer shifts to meet your family requirement, this is a great opportunity and ensures a smooth meet experience for all. Similarly, if you need to make changes to your volunteer sign up, please do so before Thursday, June 15th by 10am. 

VOLUNTEER EXPECTATIONS: 

When volunteering, please note that you yourself cannot be the caretaker of your children during your shift. All of our volunteer roles require full attention and presence. A babysitter or grandparent is also welcome to take on the volunteering role for you, so that you may stay present with younger and older swimmers and siblings alike. 

WHAT TO PACK: 

Make sure to dress appropriately for our competitions. Usually, the trend is cloudy and colder in mornings and warm and sunny afternoons. Your swimmer should have: two towels, goggles, navy competition-style bathing suit, swim cap, black Sharpie, sunscreen, and a good attitude! 

CONCESSIONS: 

Regular concession stand food fare will be available, including breakfast burritos arriving by 9.30am and pizza at lunch. Later in the morning, Wahoo Tacos, Lil’ Shavers and Dippin’ Dots will be open. Venmo and cash accepted.

NATIONAL ANTHEM SINGER: 

If you or your child is interested in singing the anthem at 9:00am for the kickoff of our meet, we’d love it! Please reach out here. 

TEAM/FAMILY AREAS: 

Besides the pool deck, the greenbelt near the toddler playground provides plenty of space to set up EZ Ups, blankets and chairs. Bathrooms are located on the pool deck and outside the pool deck near the baseball field. 

SAFETY: 

Please make sure to not rush your swimmers down the neighborhood streets to get to the pool, as there are many kids running around. The pool area may only be used by swimmers participating in the meet during their event. The baby pool will be closed. The lifeguards will be monitoring pool use. 

RIBBONS: 

Each swimmer will receive ribbon(s) with their race times in the family folders on the HVST pool deck. Pick up your ribbons later next week! 

LFII was second last year in the league right behind us. They are a strong competitor because they have fast swimmers of all ages, boys and girls. We will need you all there on Saturday and if we swim like we have been, we will be awesome! Please feel free to contact us or any of our coaches if you have any questions. 

We are the Dolphins, the Mighty Mighty Dolphins!