The Week Ahead #14 (2025-2026)

Tiburones Info

The Week Ahead 2025-2026 (#14)

Dear Tiburones Families,

Lots of information in this week’s newsletter. Please be sure to read carefully, and reach out to the office ([email protected]) with any questions.

In this Week Ahead:

  • Practice News
  • Team News
  • Meet News
  • Additional Information 

Practice News:

  • Practice this Week:
    • Changes for this week
      • No Monday 12/8 evening practice for Celeste & Verde swimmers. Jr. Development will practice as normally scheduled.  
      • No Saturday 12/13 MORNING practices at GAC.  Jr. Development will practice at QOSTC as normally scheduled. 

  • The Winter Break Training Schedule (Competition Groups, Jr. Development Full Year, and High School Prep) will be sent via email this week.

  • It’s a germy season, and we want to do our part to reduce the spread of sickness. A good guideline is if your child is too sick to go to school, they are too sick to come to practice. If they have a fever, or are coughing/sneezing excessively, please keep them home to rest. Click here for more on our health policies.​

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  • Practice essentials:
    • Coaches have compiled the list of Required & Optional Equipment for all groups.  Please make sure your swimmer arrives prepared for each practice.
    • Water Bottle: It's important that all swimmers (especially those in competition groups) stay hydrated through practice. Swimmers should all have water bottle 
      • Please be sure to clean the water bottles regularly. We have seen some water bottles with mildew/mold.
    • Extra Goggles: Goggles do break after months of use, so its always a good idea to have extras that are easily available for your swimmer. 
    • Labeling Equipment: Please be sure to label your child's equipment. There are only a handful of fin color combinations out there and with so many swimmers wearing the same sizes it makes it easier for swimmers and coaches if they are labeled. ​

Team News:

Inclement Weather Policy: 

  • We occasionally have to cancel practice due to inclement weather, including high winds. We will send out an email and/or a text alert in the event of a weather-related closing. We do not always follow MCPS cancellations. 

  • We will make every effort to inform families of weather cancellations in a timely fashion. However there are times when last minute cancellations will occur. Please take time to enroll in our TEXT ALERT feature under your account information. 
  • SMS/Text Alert: Log In>My Account > My Account> Account Info>Enter an SMS cell number and select its Carrier 
    • To add an SMS number for one of the athletes attached to your account, click the Members tab and then click their name

​End of Session 1:

  • Jr. Developmental: 12/20
  • Advanced Stroke Clinic: 12/19
  • Stroke Clinic: 12/21 

Session 2 Registration: 

Registration for Session 2 of Junior Development, Stroke Clinic, and Advance Stroke Clinic is OPEN. Session 2 runs January through April. All families enrolled by session must initiate a renewal for session 2. We do not automatically renew swimmers. Returning swimmers do not have to pay the $125 registration fee. 

Stroke Clinic Coaches

  • TIBU swimmers 14 and older that are interested in being a Stroke Clinic Instructor should email [email protected]

Meet News: 

Meet Entry Deadlines: The default setting within our system closes entries at midnight leading into the date. (eg: If the deadline was 9/16 the system closes at 11:59.59 on the 9/15). Once meet entry deadline has passed we cannot guarantee swimmers can be entered. 

  • At ALL meets, TIBU attire must be worn. Do NOT represent other organizations at meets (including summer teams, high school teams, college teams). Swimmers wearing another team’s logo may not be permitted to swim.

  • Parents are also encouraged to wear TIBU gear! (we are running a promotion for parents, complete SafeSport training and get a Free TIBU Shirt while supplies last.)

2025 Riley Eaton Holiday Invite

  • Coach Jorge will be sending out an email this week with additional meet details. 
  • Date: 12/11-12/14, 2025
  • Location: Germantown Indoor Swim Center
  • Meet Schedule: 
    • Thursday, December 11 Distance Events and 800 Free Relays
      • Warm-up 4:30 to 5:15 PM Events 5:20 PM
    • December 12, 13, 14 13-14/Open Preliminary Sessions The facility will open 30 minutes before the start of warmups.
      • Warm-up: 6:45 to 8:15 AM Events 8:20 AM
    • December 12, 13, 14 11-12/10 & Under Preliminary Sessions
      • Warm-up 12:30 to 1:30 PM Events 1:35 PM
    • December 12, 13, 14 Finals Sessions - Competition Pool Warm-Up (Only for athletes swimming in finals each night)
      • 13 & Over 4:15 to 5:00 PM
      • 12 & Under 5:00 to 5:25 PM Events 5:30 PM 
  • Eligibility:
    • Only Open to swimmers that meet or exceed the qualifying standard. 
      • OPEN 50yd nonfree events swimmers must have the qualifying time in the corresponding 100yd or 200yd event. These events should be considered Bonus Events
      • Relay Events: TIBU will enter relays for this meet. 
      • Bonus Events
        • Swimmers achieving 1 or 2 qualifying times will be permitted to enter two (2) bonus events.
        • Swimmers achieving 3, 4 or 5 qualifying times will be permitted to enter one (1) bonus event.
        • Swimmers achieving 6 qualifying times are not permitted to enter bonus events. 
        • Bonus entries with “NT” (No Time), will not be accepted. 
  • Team Outfitting: 
    • Friday(s): Mint Green
    • Saturday(s): Red
    • Sunday(s):  Black or Blue
  • Entry Deadline:  (LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED)

2025 PAC 10&U Reindeer Games Mini Meet

  • Date: 12/21/2025
  • Location: Fairland Aquatic Center
  • Meet Schedule:
    • Warm-up: 12:30 pm; Events: 1:05 pm
  • Eligibility: Open to all 10 & Under swimmers that did not participate in the DSA Diamond Invitational or the RE Holiday Invitational meets. 
  • Entry Deadline: 12/05/2025

2026 AAC LC Invite (13&Over)

  • Date: January 3-4, 2026
  • Location: Long Bridge Park
  • Meet Schedule:
  • Eligibility: Open to all registered 13 & Over swimmers in good standing. 
  • Entry Deadline: 12/15/2025

2026 DSA Winter Classic

  • Date: February 13-15
  • Location: Rawston Natatorium, University of Delaware
  • Hotel Information: TBD
  • Meet Schedule:
  • Eligibility:
  • Entry Deadline: TBD

Additional Information: 

Private Coaching Sessions:

We offer private coaching sessions on Sunday afternoons at QOSTC. For pricing and scheduling, please email [email protected].

Safe Sport Club Recognition:

Help our clubs achieve USA Swimming Safe Sport Club Recognition by participating in upcoming Safe Sport Training.Complete the training, and get a free TIBU shirt! Forward the email confirmation that you completed the training to [email protected]. ​ 

Team Apparel

Team Dealer (Cassel’s).  

Additional team merchandise (t-shirts, caps, and other branded gear) is also available through the TIBU office by sending an email to [email protected]. Orders are billed to your account on file and delivered to swim practice. 

  • newLimited Edition 20oz TIBU YETI TUMBLER (only 3 left) $50.00 
  • newWe have limited supplies of 2025-2026 shirts available
    • Red, Navy & Mint Green: $20 each
  • Previous Season TIBU shirts available: 
    • 1 Shirt $15 (various colors & sizes)
    • 3 Shirts $30
    • 5 Shirts $40
  • Silicone Caps: $17.00ea
    • Original Logo (white or blue) NEW INVENTORY
    • New Logo (navy, silver, black, or pink)
  • Navy Latex Caps (Original Logo): $5
  • Lavender hoodies: $50 - XL and XXL only
  • Croc jibbitz: $5
  • Collared shirts, jackets, bags - email [email protected] to inquire!