Get ready to SWIM!

Katie Ritsick

There is still snow on the ground, but don’t let that fool you Shark families!  It is time to start thinking about summer swim!!  Carolyn and I have been hard at work getting things ready and it is going to be a GREAT SEASON!

We hope this finds you well and want to bring your attention to a few items:

  • Volunteer needs and trainings
  • Registration and recruitment
  • South Suburban Scholarship
  • Suits and Gear
  • Division B changes

Volunteers:   We are looking for a Clerk of Course.  This is a board position and will satisfy all of your volunteer requirements as well as waive the $25 booster fee.  The short description is “guide the heating volunteers and communicate with our announcer at home meets.”  There is an hour on line required training, May 14th 7 pm.  It is a hugely helpful position for the entire team!  It is also not scary!  The littles are a bit like herding cats…but they are adorable cats!  As with all positions, you get to step away at times and still watch your swimmers.

We are also looking for Stroke and Turn folks.  Again, not scary.  These are the volunteers standing at the 4 corners of the pool with the orange wrist bands.  You call in mistakes and will help teach our swimmers correct technique so they can grow and thrive!  If in doubt, the call will always benefit the swimmer, AND, our meet and deck officials are also watching and have likely seen the same mistake.  Added benefit, you get a front row seat, cool water splashed on your toes, and get to wear an earpiece that makes you look like a secret agent!  This requires a two hour in person training.  Thur, April 24, 6-8p at Koebel Library. Sat, April 26, 10-12 at Smokey Hill Library.  Sat, April 26th, 1:30-3:30 at Highlands Ranch Library.  Or Friday, May 23rd after 5 pm (TBD) at Southshore Pool.  After training, you will shadow with our experienced S & T to feel confident in your decisions.

These positions are NECESSARY to make meets happen!  Questions? Ready to volunteer? Reply to this email.

Registration:  South Suburban Registration and Holly Park website registration open at 9am 4/15/25. Remember, you need to do both!  We will have parent info meetings (geared toward new families, but all are welcome!) 4/13 at 9 am and 4/24 at 6 pm.  Both will be held at Goodson.  Please tell your circle about summer swim!  Tell them about the parent info meetings or have them reach out to Carolyn and me!  We LOVE our little Shark Community and want to share it with the world!! (Provided that world is between 5 & 18 years old!)

South Suburban Scholarship:  South Suburban offers a scholarship to cover 50% of their registration fee for qualifying families.  The application is currently open.  They require it be completed and submitted 3 weeks prior to the start of swim which is 4/21/25.  Go to SSPRD.org and search “Scholarship” or access the application here at https://www.ssprd.org/portals/0/Misc/Scholarship-Request-Form.pdf

Suits and Gear:  We will be wearing the same black and blue suit this year.  We typically do a two year rotation.  We will also be keeping the white swim cap and have extras if needed. Team suits are not required.  Team suits, t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, etc will be available through Out of Breath Sports.  Their online store will be accessible through the Holly Park Website and available  these dates. Get your orders in by May 4th to have your gear by our first meet!  There will be a second chance store, but the items will not be here before the first meet.

Division Change:  We did so well last season we moved from Mountain Hi Swim League Division C to Division B!  GOOO SHARK POWER!!  That means our meets will be a bit bigger.  Meets will be starting at 7:30 this year.  Be sure to pack your supplies: Sunscreen, snacks, etc.

 

If you made it this far,  Congratulations!  You are fully informed for the beginning of Holly Park Shark Summer Swim!  WE ARE SOOO EXCITED FOR SUMMER SWIM!!!  Consider the above volunteer positions and tell your friends….”Sharks are back, back again! Sharks are back, tell a friend! “  (Channeling my inner Eminem)

Can't wait to see you on the pool deck!

Katie and Carolyn