THE SPLASH: Merch + Team suits + Time Trials ... and more!

Hellooooooo, and welcome to THE SPLASH, 2025 Edition, your (semi) weekly email recapping what's happened recently and what to expect over the next few days and weeks.

The goal: Informative and interesting/fun to read.

#NoPressure

This week we'll cover:

1. Merch
2. Team suits
3. Time Trials
4. Parents' Night
5. Reminder to REGISTER for swim season
6. Swim fun(ny)

Okay, let's DIVE in (see what I did there?)

1. MERCH: Order by the end of the day today!

The Rio Del Oro Rapids Official Merch Store is OPEN ... until the end of the day, today (Tuesday, April 29, at 11:59 PM PT). Get your order in now!

2. TEAM SUITS: Order by Friday, May 2

If you plan to order a new Rio team suit, all orders must be placed by Friday, May 2. Place your order using this Google Form.

Payment options:

• SportsEngine account
• Club account
• Personal check (delivered to the front desk or a coach; payable to Rio del Oro Sports Club)

Note: Please submit one form per suit being ordered.

3. PARENTS NIGHT: Saturday, May 3, 6-9 PM @ Rio Del Oro 

Please join us for our annual Rapids parent party this Saturday, May 3, @ 6 PM. This party is a great way to kick off the season and get to know your Rapids coaches and fellow parents. Food and drinks will be provided. 

Several board members will be available to answer questions about parent participation.

Andrew Mock, this year's Meet Director, will also answer any and all questions. He's specifically interested in chatting with parents who want to learn more about training for Stroke and Turn and Meet Starter positions. 

See. You. There.

4. TIME TRIALS: Saturday, May 10

Join us on Saturday, May 10 — register here, now — for time trials ... a race against the clock.

Time trials are essentially a meet without any other teams. Kids will swim each event and set a base time for their season, a benchmark to gauge improvement and help set goals.

Bonus: Time trials help coaches determine how fast our swimmers will be this season.

Each time trials is full of surprises — for kids, parents, and coaches — as we see the side effects of winter growth spurts, winter swim programs, and life in general.

Time trials is also like a "meet shakedown." First-time swimmers and swim parents get a sense of the flow of a meet. Parent volunteers learn how to do their new swim meet gigs. And it is an excellent opportunity to get to know other swimmers, families, and coaches — all of whom you'll spend HOURS with this summer. Find your crew and make swim season fun. This is why we call it the #RioVillage.

PRO TIP: Write down your kids' times and post them in a prominent location in the house. They're a great motivator in the early season as swimmers get into shape and practice better technique. Get ready

to watch those times drop.

5. REGISTER FOR THE SWIM SEASON: Now (please)

If you haven't already* please register for the upcoming season ASAP. Like, stop reading this email now and go register.

Missed the first two links? No problem. Click/tap here to register now.

Don't forget to register for NCSL as well!

*The writer of this email has not yet registered. Eeeks.

6. SWIM FUN/FUNNY

With ,

Your 2025 Rio Rapids Swim Board