Machine Aquatics Team Update 09.20.2023
This is the weekly communication for Machine Aquatics. Please take a moment to review all of the information. The Team Update will include practice and schedule changes, meet announcements, upcoming events and sport specific articles.
Machine Aquatics Team Update 09.20.2023
Upcoming Meet Information
Click here for the 2023-24 Competition Schedule (PDF).
Click here for the Machine Google Calendar.
*IF YOUR SWIMMER IS MISSING TIMES IN TEAM UNIFY, PLEASE EMAIL [email protected].
Distance Run Meet - HOSTED BY MACHINE AQUATICS
September 30 - October 1, 2023
St. James
Springfield, VA
Per swimmer surcharge: $4.00 Individual event fee: $5.00
Open to 9 and over swimmers
Coach Approval Required- Coaches Select Events
ENTRIES ARE CLOSED
Harvest Moon
October 7-8, 2023
Herndon Aquatic Center
Herndon, VA
Per Swimmer Surcharge: $10.00 Individual Events: $12.00
Open to 9-12 year old swimmers
Click HERE to enter Harvest Moon
ENTRY DEADLINE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
PVS October Open - HOSTED BY MACHINE AT CLAUDE MOORE
October 13-15, 2023
MD Sites for October Open are at:
Fairland Aquatic Center
13820 Old Gunpowder Road
Laurel, MD 20707
Individual event fee: $5.00 Per Swimmer Surcharge: $5.00
MD Swimmers: Click here to enter the Fairland meet.
VA Sites for October Open are at:
Claude Moore Recreation Center
46105 Loudoun Park Lane
Sterling, VA 20164
Individual event fee: $5.00 Per Swimmer Surcharge: $5.00
VA swimmers: Click here to enter the Claude Moore meet.
ENTRY DEADLINE: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 - NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED
Fall Gator Mini Meet - VA SWIMMERS ONLY
October 21-22, 2023
Arlington, VA
Open to 8&U VA swimmers
NOVA Senior Invite - Parent Travel Meet
October 27-29, 2023
Richmond, VA
Qualifying Time Standards apply. Coach Approval Required.
Rock Hopper Mini Meet - MD SWIMMERS ONLY
October 29, 2023
Laurel, MD
Open to 10&U MD swimmers
Team Gear - Pick Up and Exchanges
If you were not able to attend Machine Parent Day, your child’s equipment bag, with team shirts, cap, sweatshirt and team suit were sent to your practice location. If your child has not received their gear yet, please have them ask their coach.
We understand that many of you have items that need to be exchanged for another size. Please note: the size provided to you is what was in your Team Unify Account. We will do our best to exchange sizes for swimmers.
We have sent a form and instructions on how to exchange items and let us know of missing items in a separate email. Here is a link to the form to let us know which items you have that are missing or need to be exchanged.
USA Swimming Registration
All Machine Swimmers must be members of USA Swimming. If you are new to year round swimming with USA Swimming, you will need to complete your athlete’s registration directly with USA Swimming.
If you are a returning member, you will not need to register at this time. Your registration with USA Swimming will be valid through the end of the calendar year. New this season, Machine will process your registration.
If you are new to Machine and an existing USA Swimming member, you will need to complete an athlete transfer within USA Swimming.
Emails about transfer and new registrations were sent to swimmers needing to complete one of these tasks on Monday. If you have any questions, please contact Alison.
Want the BEST View of the Meet? We Need Officials!
Contact Eric Ramey at [email protected]
Want to get closer to the action with the best seats in the pool? Interested in learning more about swimming? Consider volunteering as an official. If you like action around the pool deck, becoming a stroke & turn official may be for you. For those with a knack towards numbers or computers becoming a timing system operator or computer operator may be for you. No experience is necessary! There are clinics and on-the-job mentorship to help you learn the skills needed.
Clinics are happening now and we would love to have you join us. A full list of clinics is available on the PVS website. Timing operator and computer operator clinics are available anytime on-line.
Our Machine Officials Chair is happy to answer any questions. Contact Eric Ramey at [email protected]
MEET PARTICIPATION REMINDERS
WHEN POSTED & EMAILED: Please read the meet announcement before registering your swimmer(s) for a meet.
If the link for the meet announcement is not posted, the meet host has not released the information yet.
Many meets are restricted by age or by qualifying times. The definition of the meet key (NFT/ NST) is located on the top of the Meet Schedule and will be included in meet information when sent out.
To ensure that meet invitations reach all qualified swimmers, there will be times when you will receive an invitation that does not apply to your swimmer (too old, too young, etc.). We apologize for the extra email but we don’t want swimmers to miss an opportunity to swim!
Meet Fees are outlined in each meet announcement. Please be sure to review this portion of the meet announcement. Once the entries have closed, the fees for each meet will be charged to your account. If you are unable to attend a meet or choose not to swim, these fees are non-refundable.
Parent Article of the Week
As we move through the season, we will share articles about swimming, nutrition, athlete development and other subjects that we think are interesting and will be helpful. Here is our first of the season, How to Excel as a Swim Parent.
Volunteer Hours
We can not do this without you! Thank you so much for donating your time at our swim meets. Machine has a $75 volunteer fee. We refund this to you when you have completed your 22 hour volunteer requirement. This is time spent helping out at meets or with other special projects that may come up during the season.
Please send your hours as you complete them to our volunteer coordinator by clicking the form below. She’s tracking them for you. When you reach 22 hours, she will let the office know that we can process a refund check for you.
