Take a seat.  Tell the kids to give you a minute because you need to concentrate. Clear your mind of all other intrusive thoughts.  Seriously, sit down.  There are only 12 days left in the season.  So let's talk League Finals, the GFSL Championship Meet... 

THIS IS A BIG DEAL.  IT'S THE CULMINATION OF OUR SEASON.  OUR GRANDE FINALE.  THE BIG DANCE.  FROM THE OUTSIDE, IT'S CHAOS. FROM THE INSIDE, IT'S A WELL OILED MACHINE RUNNING ON ALL CYLINDERS... AND IT'S A WHOLE HECK OF A LOT OF FUN ON A BIG STAGE WITH ALL 20 - TWENTY! - SWIM TEAMS IN OUR LEAGUE.

Here's the first thing you should know...  You need to declare your swimmer's eligibility on the website just as you have done for every meet.  Declare "available" if your swimmer will be IN TOWN and IS ABLE to swim - do not assume they won't make it and do not worry that they can't get there if you can't take them (carpools and chaperones are definite options and we will facilitate).  When you declare, you may notice "not eligible to enter this meet" next to several sessions - the SwimTopia system is smart and will ONLY allow you to sign up for your swimmer's designated age/gender session (ie. 11&O Girls are Session 3A, 11&O Boys are Session 3B) and your swimmer will only be eligible if they have competed in AT LEAST TWO (2) GFSL dual meets.

Meet Entry limits... Each team can enter 3 swimmers per individual event and 2 teams for each relay.  This means we can field up to 2 relay teams in each age group (at least 8 swimmers per age group!).  Entry fee is $8/swimmer and the cost will be covered by our team.  Entry preference will be given to top times and legal strokes.  Each swimmer can swim a maximum of 3 individual events, 1 medley relay and 1 freestyle relay.  Declaring "available" does not guarantee your swimmer will be entered into the meet but declaring "unavailable" guarantees they will not even have the chance to be considered... boo :(

NS Finals Entries will be official and released on Thursday 7/7.

Now let's talk where and when...

WHERE?? 

The Greensboro Aquatic Center (1921 W. Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27403).  It is a 37 min drive from NS pool.  Don't let the venue scare you.  It's a beautiful (INDOOR air conditioned) facility with fabulous spectator seating.  The pool is grounded so there will be no weather delays or cancellations. There is no entry fee and no parking fee.  The parking lot is plentiful.

WHEN??

Monday, July 11.  This Championship Meet is actually run as 3 separate "sessions"

• Session 1:  6U Girls/Boys in one pool (A) 
• Session 2:  7-10 Girls/Boys in one pool (A)
• Session 3A/3B:  11&O Girls/Boys simultaneously in 2 separate side by side pools (A & B)

Time Schedule is as follows:

7 AM  ⎯  Doors to GAC Open

7:30 AM  ⎯  New Sherwood 10&U Team gathers outside and enters together

8-8:15 AM  ⎯  6U Warm ups (Pool A), 7-10s Warm ups (Pool B)

8:30-9:20 AM  ⎯  6U Session (Pool A) - 3 events

9:15-9:20 AM  ⎯  7-10 Block Starts (Pool B) - IM, 50 free and relay legs 1&3 only

9:30-1 PM  ⎯  7-10 Session (Pool A)

*6Us and 7-10s are free to leave after their sessions end.

12:45 PM  ⎯  New Sherwood 11&O Team arrives on deck

1:15-1:30 PM  ⎯  11&O Warm ups (Pool B)

2:05-2:15 PM  ⎯  11&O Block Starts (Pool A/B)

2:30-5:45 PM ⎯ 11&O Session (Girls Pool A / Boys Pool B)

OK, it's soaking in and you're starting to get the picture... right?  So let's cover just a few more details and leave the rest for a follow up Q&A...

*Our team will gather on deck in our assigned area adjacent to the Clerk of Course set up.  2 team parents will be in the team area with swimmers. Coaches and league reps will be on deck throughout all sessions. 

*We will need to provide 1 timer for the AM session, 2 timers for the PM session.

*Each pool is assigned a volunteer task for the meet.  New Sherwood completes the dream team with Peace Haven and Sherwood to man the Clerk of Course for AM Sessions 1&2.  We will need ~10-12 volunteers to help on deck.  Our jobs will include lane monitors at pool edges and walkers from COC to event start with a "line leader" and a "caboose" for each heat. We make sure no child is left behind... 

*ONLY parent volunteers are permitted on deck. All other adults must spectate from the upper stands. Communication from swimmers <> parents will be through text to Colleen or team parents.

*Order of events will run as per usual during each session.

*Digital Heat Sheets will be sent prior to the meet. The team will cover this $150 cost. Advertisements available - if interested, contact Wendy Bartlett. 

*TYDE is providing Start/Dive Clinics for non-year round swimmers as a way to prep your swimmers for diving off of starting blocks (completely optional).  Clinics are being held at Fulton YMCA on July 6.  To sign up use this LINK.

NOW... GO DECLARE YOUR SWIMMER'S MEET ENTRY and send any questions via reply here.  We will compile them into a Q&A to be shared later this weekend.

#STINGRAYS4LIFE