Hello parents and swimmers!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Red White & Blue meet. It was a lot of fun, the swimmers, coaches, and volunteers did a great job, and we are more than ready for our first dual meet this Saturday at Block House Creek.

This will be an away meet. Arrival time on Saturday at the BHC Tidal Waves pool is 6:20am. For a map and other details, go to www.wbarmada.org.

Here are some reminders:

• Being on time is critical. Swimmers who haven't checked in with their pit parents on time will be scratched from the opening relay. We understand that things sometimes happen in the morning which is why we will allow them to swim their other events.
• Swimmers must remain in their pit areas unless excused to go to the restroom or concession stand. The pit parents job is a tough one, corralling swimmers and getting them to the ready bench on time, so let's help them out by keeping our swimmers at their pits.
• The area behind the starting blocks and around the Ready Bench is a busy place. Only swimmers that are about to swim, coaches, and volunteers who work in that area should be there.
• Please remember that any questions or disputes during a meet should be brought to the attention of the WBA Meet Director Mindy Lewis. Do not approach the other team's officials, coaches or the computer table.

Remember to check your folders daily. See you at the pool!

Email me any time at board@wbarmada.org. For complete team information, visit www.wbarmada.org.

Hi Armada!
What a great way to start the meet season! I thought everything this weekend went really smoothly, and it was a lot of fun! I hope swimmers and parents felt the same way. The coaches and I are really proud of how well everyone is doing in the water, and the attitudes out of the water as well. This season we’re really focusing on positive encouragement and cheering on everyone no matter what. Swimmers: remember to have good sportsmanship in and out of the water and in all aspects of Armada. Our cheer before the meet was definitely the loudest I’ve ever heard- so keep it up!

A couple of reminders: Make sure that you let myself, Paul (board president), or Mindy (meet director) know as soon as possible if you are not going to be able to make it to the meet. We make changes during warm up to finalize the heat sheets, and then it’s difficult to make changes after that. Even if you have to leave early, make sure you mark on your MAF to swim first half events, or not to put you on the last relay. A lot of work goes into making the relays and finding replacements at the end of the meet isn’t always the easiest task. I want to thank you now for attention to this matter.

At the meet continue to put healthy things in your body. Basically anything not sugar packed is the direction we’re looking for. Sodas are not good for you and swimming, but also in the heat you need to be replenishing your body with water or Gatorade. Take care of yourself so not only can you have a better swim, but you’re being healthy!

Saturday is our first away meet- make sure that you are on time to warm ups and make sure to check in with your pit parent. If you don’t check in- we assume you aren’t there, so we scratch you from the opening relays. Not a fun way to start your Saturday!

This week we will be focusing more on breaststroke and butterfly, and with the older kids- on starts, turns and finishes. Good luck to those wrapping up the end of the school year. Like usual, let me know if you have any concerns or questions.

The coaches and I are going to start looking for our weekly awards to give out to those who are working hard and coming to practice with a positive attitude. “Kickin’ Hard” award recipients get to use a special kickboard and autograph their name for all to see! After this next meet, we will also hand out awards for Fast Fishy- the boy and girl in each age group that dropped the most time from the previous week. Keep up the hard work- we definitely notice it!

See y'all at the pool :)
Coach Elisa
coach@wbarmada.org

Hi Parents!

I want to thank everyone for a great practice meet on Saturday! I had a really good time and hope you did, too! Overall, everyone did a great job. It was wonderful to see the returning parents helping out the newbies, getting them up-to-speed on how things operate at meets. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Just a couple of things to make things run even more smoothly...

Please remember to fill out the bottom portion of the Meet Attendance Forms. We divide the forms into two parts and only the bottom portion comes to me, which is how parents communicate with me (e.g., tells me which parent is volunteering). Also, keep in mind that every position needs to be filled in order to run a successful meet. Therefore, you may not always get to do what you signed up for at registration.

Additionally, volunteer positions in both halves of the meet need to be covered. If your child(ren) swim in the second half, you are expected to volunteer in the second half, as well, if necessary. I can certainly understand you wanting to go home as soon as your children finish swimming (I would like to, as well), but we have to consider that this is a team. We all need to pitch in and help the team succeed.

Another thing that would help a lot, is that if you see something that needs to be done, just do it. Things as simple as picking up trash, helping with set up in the morning or tearing down after the meets would be wonderful!

I appreciate everyone's patience and flexibility when it comes to your volunteering assignments.

Thanks again for everything you do and I look forward to our first competitive meet on May 29th!

Let me know if you’re able to assist with any of the above positions. As always, if you have any questions, please contact me at volunteers@wbarmada.org. Thanks for your help!

BHC is located in Leander and is an easy trip if you utilize the toll roads. Take 45 West to 183A - north. Exit at Cty Rd 181/New Hope Road and turn left. Turn right on Block House Drive South. Or, you can take the free route by taking 183 north to Block House Drive N. It is only 15 miles -- about 25 minutes.

Pool Directions:
http://www.teamunify.com/SubTabGeneric.jsp?team=reccibhc&_stabid_=6760

The Meet Attendance Form for the "Rock Star" Forest North home meet is due Friday, May 28. Please put in the "completed" folder in the MAF Box.

EVERY swimmer should turn these forms in by the deadline -- the late forms are creating hours of additional work for the volunteers who are responsible for entering the information, putting the computer files together and doing the volunteer lists. We need a form from each swimmer - even if you are not attending the meet. Thanks so much for helping us with this.

We encourage all swimmers who are able to swim the length of the pool unassisted to participate in all meets. Swim Meets are an important part of being on the WBA. (We understand if you are out-of-town or unable to participate due to religious reasons.)

This is a home meet and WBA Swimmers will arrive at 5:50 am for a 6:15 a.m. warm-up time. The meet will start at 7:30 a.m.Dual meets usually end by 12:30 a.m. Dress like a "Rock Star" and ROCK the pool!

WBA Photo Day - Tues May 25
All swimmers should participate in the photo day even if you will not be purchasing photos. Please wear your team t-shirts with swimsuits under. See prices and order form.

Schedule:
4:30 p.m.: 6 and under
5:15 p.m.: Ages 7-8
5:45 p.m.: Team Photo - Everyone
6:15 p.m.: Ages 9-10
7:15 p.m.: Ages 12 and over

Our annual Swim-a-thon & Silent Auction will be held Tuesday, June 22. This is our primary fundraiser for the year and the funds raised help us keep our registration fees low and help us purchase needed equipment.

We are asking for donations of goods or services or gift certificates that we can auction off during the event. We are a registered 501c3 non-profit organization and donations are tax decuctible.

Please contact Mary Hale at 789-3903 or email her at mjhale@austin.rr.com. She has letters you can distribute to areas businesses.

• Captain's Log
• Coach's Corner
• Volunteer Spot
• Block House Creek Meet
• Swim Meets tips and checklist
• MAF due for FN
• Photo Day
• Donations needed for Silent Auction