Important Dates

FOOD LION REINDEER INVITATIONAL hosted by RSA THIS WEEKEND
Reindeer Meet Volunteer Information
To all RSA families attending the Reindeer Meet: Following this newsletter you will be receiving an email which contains info about volunteers for Reindeer and info about what families need to bring for hospitality. Please be sure to read these emails thoroughly. Elizabeth Schmedding schmeds@earthlink.net and Melissa Gulyes Melissag@spgweb.comare co-meet directors for this meet. There is plenty of volunteer space for the meet. If you are interested in helping out please email either Elizabeth or Melissa. Our new executive director, Deanna Burkhardt dburkhardt@swimrsa.org will also be helping to get things together for the meet and you are also welcome to email her.

This weekend December 6-7 is the Food Lion Reindeer Invitational Swim Meet @ the Hillsborough Sportsplex
Warm Up-
PLEASE NOTE: These warm-up times will most likely change. I will email out to the membership if these change
B/C 10 & Under Session (Morning ONLY): 7:45 AM, Meet Starts at 8:45 AM
11-12 & Senior Development Session (Afternoon ONLY): Not before 12:15 PM (Meet Starts 45 min. after warm-up)

Meet Entries
The meet entries for the Reindeer Meet are posted on the web site under meet info. The entries are also posted on the Minnow, Nova, Wahoo, and Dolphin bulletin board at the Candler Swim Club. PLEASE CHECK TO SEE IF THE ENTRIES ARE CORRECT. If something is incorrect please let me know ASAP. Basically you are checking to make sure that your child is entered. Remember the coach chooses the events. Please make sure that you attend the correct session.
Click Here for Reindeer Meet Entries

What to Bring to the Meet
RSA caps (red or black) this is your choice, goggles, two towels, RSA T-shirt, sweatshirt/pants, activities (gameboy, books, etc.), waterbottle and healthy snacks.

Here are some Important Things to Remember About Going to a Swim Meet

• Prior to the beginning of the meet, parents should write the events the child will be swimming on the child’s arm.  This will enable the Kid Pushers and the Clerk of Course to determine if the child is in the right place.  It is the parent’s responsibility to get the child to the Kid Pushers/Clerk of Course.
• Immediately after each swim, your child should see the coaching staff to get feedback on their performance.  This is the best time for the child to get a clear understanding of what they did well and what things they need to work on.
• Parents please remember the coaches are not responsible for getting the swimmers to the blocks for their race. The coaches need to make sure they watch every child's race. The 8 & Unders have kid pushers to get them to the block and will all sit in a designated area. Please be sure that your child is sitting in that area, because the kid pusher will not track the swimmer down during the meet. 9 & Overs are responsible for paying attention and getting to block for their swims.
• I will be giving out best time ribbons to those who have established times from last year or the last swim meet. Go out and swim your best!
• Relays will be determined at the beginning of the swim meet on Saturday. They will be posted in a designated area. The coaches will let you know if you are in a relay at the start of the meet. If you are in a relay PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE EARLY! If you know you cannot participate in a relay please let coach Brian know.
• PLEASE REMEMBER: We are not all about awards and time standards.  Your child may not always have a best time or get an award, but they may do other things that the coaching staff and the swimmer should be proud of.

Practice Times for Saturday, Dec. 6th
This weekend December 6th there will be practice for the following groups
Dolphin (Fall States swimmers only) 10:30 AM- noon @ Candler
Minnows- 11:30 AM- 12:15

Starting to Get Cooler Outside- BRING WARMER CLOTHES TO PRACTICE!
Fall is upon us and it is starting to get much cooler outside. Please be sure to start bringing some warm clothes before and especially after practice. This means jacket, sweat shirt and pants. A hat or hood would be great to cover your wet head. Sometimes it can be hard getting back into shape after your are sick.

What to Bring to Practice

• Dry land clothes- this includes running shoes, t-shirt, & shorts
• swim suit
• goggles (do not forget these because I do not have extra for other borrow)
• towel
• swim caps (this is optional, although I do think that girls with long hair really need to wear one)
• FINS and a Fin Bag

TECHNIQUE FOR THE WEEK
We are closing in on the last two meets of 2003. So far I think we have had an outstanding season. This week once again we will have focus on starts, turns, & finishes. It is important that you come to practice ready to listen and practice these skills. All Dolphins in Fall States will be swimming a different workout so I can prepare you all for this championship meet next weekend. Please everyone try to make practice consistently this week, so you are ready for these two upcoming important swim meets.

See you all at practice

Coach Brian