Hey Cats,

Here we are! Back in the pool! It’s fantastic to see everyone!

1. Mini-Meet
Invitations to participate in Mini-Meet have been sent to 10&Under swimmers.

• You need to “DECLARE” whether your swimmer is “Attending” or “Not Attending.”
• See “How to Declare for a Meet”
• Like an RSVP, declaring your YES or NO helps us plan! Even if you’re a NO, please let us know your intentions
• You are invited to select the events your swimmer would like to participate in. Please know that the coaches make the final decision, but welcome (and desire) your swimmer’s input. What would they like to swim? What are they willing to swim? Everything? GREAT! Something specific? GREAT! Let us know the preferences and trust the coaches to decide!

What is Mini-Meet? This is an “unofficial” meet, organized in-house to help our youngest swimmers (10&Under) know how to proceed from being called to “Ready Area,” to “the Chairs,” to “the Blocks,” doing starts, and swimming their events.

• We know our 9&10s are experienced with this, but also know that swimming a 50 with turns for the first time can be intimidating, so we invite their participation as well!

2. Meet Invitations for the first THREE (Home) Meets of the Season…are coming!

• See“How to” seciton on the website to learn what “Declaring” means and why it’s important to let us know a YES and NO on participation.
• Be sure to check out the Calendar on the website for all future events.

3. Welcome Back Dinner & Silent Auction Tuesday, May 24, from 6pm-8pm

• Welcome Back Dinner is a social event for all families and swimmers, we get our Handbooks, pre-ordered merchandise, and have a Silent Auction
• Silent Auction includes things like ROCKSTAR RESERVED PARKING and other fabulous gifts, services, and prizes. Susan Schuh and Erin Sholl have prepared an AMAZING list of items for bidding. Email either of them if you have something to contribute ASAP (by May 15th).

4. SWIMSUITS

• Reminder: Nauticats does not “require” Team suits, but we do provide a vendor (call Texas Swim Shop 713-723-0910)
• CCSL requires swimmers to wear a racing suit
  o Style: one-piece is REQUIRED by CCSL for girls; jammers or speedo-style for boys.
  o Where: Swim Shops, Academy, Dicks, or online Amazon and swimoutlet.com
  o Color: solid black or black trimmed in blue is preferred

• RECYCLE OLD UNIFORMS: if your kid has outgrown a suit and you’d like to donate it to other families, put it in a ziplock bag marked with the size, give to Kathy Prior at practice or drop it off at her house 18511 Point Lookout or text (817) 845-9654

5. COACHES CORNER: “Starts”

• We will be using the blocks and bringing “starting equipment” to each of the next two Fridays to practice “starts.” This is a great opportunity for swimmers to learn the procedure for meets.

6. HOA ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS:

• Pool Party: The HOA is hosting a SCHOOL-IS-OUT Pool Party on the afternoon of Thursday, May 26th
  o Everyone is invited to have fun
  o Practices are canceled that day
• Swim Caps: Following HOA guidelines, we ask that all swimmers with long hair (male or female) wear swim caps. Nauticats are in the pool more than almost any other HOA swimmers, and the pool-cleaning-equipment feels the strain of catching long hair in the filters.
  o New Nauticats Team Caps can be purchased for $15 each (see Kathy Prior, who is usually at the 7&U practices)
  o “Team Caps” are not required; any swim cap will do. If your swimmer forgets one (or it breaks) please don’t hesitate to ask for help! Many of us have extras we’re happy to loan. (And you can buy a new one on an IOU.. we know where you live!)
  o If you’re new to this and don’t know how to put a cap on without causing panic, just ask for any experienced parent’s help! We’ve all been there at some point!

See you at the pool!