🏊‍♀️ Get Ready, Stingrays — It’s AUTUMN CHALLENGE WEEKEND! 🍂💪

Dear Swimmers and Parents,

It’s finally here — our team’s own 2025 Autumn Challenge Swim Meet! One of the biggest weekends of our season and a true highlight for the YMCA Stingrays. Let’s bring the energy, teamwork, and Stingray pride that make this event so special.

💥 Swimmer Game Plan

• Be on time – early is on time, on time is late!
• Wear your Stingray gear and represent with pride.
• Dress in layers – the gym can get chilly between races.
• Fuel smart – bring healthy snacks and plenty of water or sports drinks to stay energized and hydrated throughout the session.
• Be a great teammate – cheer loud, lift each other up, and bring positive vibes.
• Bring games/cards to play with your teammate 
• Listen up to marshallers and coaches – stay ready, stay focused

🤝 Team-Hosted Meet: Everyone’s Help Matters

Hosting a meet takes all of us — and we’re counting on our incredible families and volunteers to make it run smoothly.
Many volunteer positions begin before doors open, so please plan accordingly.
Your punctuality and teamwork keep the meet on schedule and the energy high!

👉 Early-arriving volunteers may bring their swimmers in with them before doors open for that session. Swimmers can stay warm and get ready while parents help set up.

🚗 Parking Advisory – Plan Ahead!

Parking at the Perth Amboy YMCA can be tight during large sessions.

• On-site parking is limited and fills quickly.
• Families may need to use the municipal parking garage about ¼ mile down the street.
• Please allow extra time for parking and walking so swimmers arrive on time for warm-ups.
• Swimmers and families may not enter the facility until doors open for their session — be prepared to wait in your cars (especially in inclement weather).

📅 Session Schedule

• Friday – Session 1 - Doors Open: 3:45 PM | Warm-Up: 4:00 PM | Start: 4:50 PM
• Saturday – Session 2 - Doors Open: 6:45 AM | Warm-Up: 7:00 AM | Start: 8:00 AM
• Saturday – Session 3 - Doors Open: 10:45 AM | Warm-Up: 11:00 AM | Start: 11:50 AM
• Saturday – Session 4 - Doors Open: 2:55 PM | Warm-Up: 3:10 PM | Start: 4:15 PM
• Sunday – Session 5 - Doors Open: 6:45 AM | Warm-Up: 7:00 AM | Start: 8:00 AM
• Sunday – Session 6 - Doors Open: 10:40 AM | Warm-Up: 10:55 AM | Start: 11:45 AM
• Sunday – Session 7 - Doors Open: 2:05 PM | Warm-Up: 2:20 PM | Start: 3:30 PM

🕓 Distance Events Update

500 / 1000 / 1650 Freestyle

• A 10-minute break will occur before the distance events during Sunday’s 13/Over session.
• Events will be swum fastest to slowest, alternating girls and boys.
• Swimmers must provide their own timer and counter for all three distance events (update from the meet announcement).

🏟️ Facility & Deck Policies

• Entry to the building begins 15 minutes before warm-ups — no early entry, no exceptions.
• No chairs or hard cooler inside the facility.
• No food on the pool deck.
• No photography or video from behind the starting blocks.
• Meet Mobile will be active throughout the weekend.

💙 Let’s Make Waves, Stingrays!

We’re thrilled to host this event and can’t wait to see our swimmers race hard, cheer loud, and show what Stingray spirit is all about. Thank you for your cooperation, flexibility, and volunteer power — you make this meet possible!

Let’s make it a fast, fun, and unforgettable weekend.
Good luck, Stingrays! 🏊‍♂️🔥

 

🎯 30 Visit Challenge: Holiday Edition 

Swim Team should take full advantage of this and all get the 30 days in!!!!

Don’t let the holidays sideline your goals! Stay active and motivated during the busiest season of the year with our 30 Visit Challenge: Holiday Edition.

How It Works:

• Visit the Y 30 times in 9 weeks (November 1 – January 2) to earn fun prizes and keep your wellness routine strong.
• Just like our Summer Visit Challenge, large poster boards in the Wellness Centers let you add a sticker for each visit, creating a visual tracker to celebrate your progress together!

Dates:

• Saturday, November 1, 2025 – Friday, January 2, 2026 (9 weeks)

Registration:

• Free to join
• Members only
• No minimum age — everyone is encouraged to participate! [REGISTER HERE]

Prizes:

• 10 Visits: RCY sticker (great for water bottles, laptops & more!) or bottled water
• 20 Visits: Protein bar or sports drink
• 30 Visits: Celebrate your success with a Y Ice Scraper or Festive Y Ornament*

*Prefer more flexibility? Choose 2 of the 10 or 20 visit prizes instead!

Prizes will be available for pick-up at the Welcome Center and recorded in Daxko upon receipt.

Stay active, have fun, and let’s make this holiday season one full of movement and celebration! 🎉

 

📱 Stay Connected with GroupMe

Join your swimmer’s GroupMe chat to stay updated. We recommend both parents and older swimmers join:

• Seniors: Join Here
• Pre Seniors: Join Here
• Junior 2: Join Here
• Junior 1: Join Here
• Little Stingrays: Join Here
   

 

🏅  Meet/Event Schedule

 

🚨 Important Practice Updates – Fall 2025 🚨

Nov 13 - Autumn Challenge Prep

• Combined Senior 1/Senior 2 practice from 4:15-5:45 PM

Nov 14 - Distance Session of Autumn Challenge

• Senior 1/Senior2 Canceled
• Junior 2/Pre-Senior - 5:30-6:15 Meet Warm up prep
• Little Stingrays - Normal Practice

Nov 15-16-17 - Autumn Challenge 

• Practices canceled for the meet along with the Monday following the meet

Nov 22 - Boys Dual Meet

• Canceled: J1, J2, Pre-Senior Boys
• Senior Boys: 7:00–8:30 AM @ Deer Path
• Girls: Normal schedule for J1, J2, Pre-Senior & Senior Girls @ Deer Path

Nov 26th - Early practice in lieu of Thanksgiving

• Senior 1 and Senior 2 will swim combined from 4:15-6:15 (There will still be dryland for both groups after)

​Nov 27th - HAPPY THANKSGIVING

• The YMCA is closed for Thanksgiving - Enjoy the day with your families.

💡 Tip: Mark your calendars now! These changes affect all groups—especially during meet weeks.

See you on the pool deck,
Coach Lou & Coach Ruby