Weekly Update (5/27/24-6/2/24)

Erin McCann

Weekly Update

Practice Schedule Changes

Upcoming Schedule Changes (5/27/24-6/2/24)

White Group: no known changes

Yellow Group: no known changes

Bronze Group: no known changes

Silver Group: outdoor pool from 5:30-7:00am,7:00-7:30am dryland following (bring shoes!!)

Gold Group: outdoor pool from 5:30-7:00am,7:00-7:30am dryland following (bring shoes!!)

*Please remember to verify your SMS to keep up to date with any last-minute schedule changes that may occur!

Long Course Practice Update (Starting May 28):

Sunset Swim Club has contacted us to let us know that the filters for their pool have not arrived yet so for the time being, we are planning to offer practice from 5:30-7:30am Monday-Friday starting Tuesday, May 28. As soon as the filters arrive we will be planning to switch over to practicing at Sunset Swim Club from 7:00-9:00am.

Thank you for being patient with us during this time. Go MSA!

Dublin Park Safety Update:

Dublin Park has asked us to discontinue parking along the road in front of the pool areas. Please be sure to park in a parking spot and have your athlete text you for you to pull around.

Open Water Opportunities:

Open water swims will begin soon! This is a fun and different part of swimming that I would like to advocate for our swimmers to try if they are interested.

Knoxville Open Water:

Knoxville Open Water Swimmers has hosted a 10K swim each fall for 6 years. The chance to create a shorter distance event, and to sanction it through USA Swimming, is a new endeavor. Taking place at the TVA Tellico Recreation Area in Lenoir City, swimmers can choose from 1-mile, 2.6-km, 5.2-km routes. Wind and sun can make this simple looking out & back course a bit of a challenge, so it’s perfect for those new to open water swimming, or those looking for a training swim.

The Bussell Island Swim is dual-sanctioned by US Masters Swimming and USA Swimming, open for swimmers 11 years and older (age as of 12/31/2024). Capacity is limited to 200 total swimmers

Prime Aquatics and Knoxville Open Water Swimmers are teaming up this year to co-host a brand new USA Swimming sanctioned open water event. The Bussell Island Swim will occur Saturday, July 6 and will offer swimmers three race options: 1 mile, 2.6K and 5.2K. Information about the event can be found here. Registration is found here.

Hobbs Island Open Water:

We had a few swimmers and myself attend Swim Hobbs Island last year. There are three races on the same day for the Swim Hobbs Island—a 1 mile, 2 mile, and 5-mile race.

The open water event will be held within our LMSC on Sunday, September 28th, 2024. The 1- and 2-mile swim do not need a kayaker but the 5-mile swimmers will need a kayaker. You can read more about the Swim Hobbs Island event at the link listed below. I have seen anyone from age 8 to 90 swim this race, young and old! Again, this is not a requirement but a fun event for some of our swimmers to look forward to if they wish to attend. They have all the information up to date for this year’s race. The only thing not working yet is the link to sign up for any of the three races, they have had a few technical difficulties but I have been informed that this should be fixed soon. Just keep checking back if your swimmer (or yourself) is interested! 😊

Tennessee River near Huntsville (Swim Hobbs Island) on September 8th with 1, 2, and 5 mile swims [https://www.teamrockettri.org/swim-hobbs-island/ ].

MSA Gear and News

We have created a SwimOutlet page for purchases of team equipment and Team Suits! Please use the following link or go to our TeamUnify page and click on the button “MSA Gear” to see more. https://www.swimoutlet.com/collections/msa

You can view MSA Accomplishments and Schedule Updates on our TeamUnify page using the following link: https://www.teamunify.com/team/semsa/page/home

Get Involved!!!

Become an Official

MSA regularly needs officials to host meets and run the consistent and high-quality competitions we have become known for. Each MSA Meet must have certified USA-S certified officials conducting the meet for each swimmer to receive official credit for their swims/times.

If you have any questions about the process, please contact our MSA Officials Point of Contact, Heather Koehler at [email protected]

Parent Education

I have been adding a few readings onto the Weekly Updates. Here you will be able to find articles written by coaches, parents, athletes, psychologists, etc., about team sports, importance of parent involvement, and roles that seemingly assist coaches, parents, and athletes in their endeavors through the greatest sport in the world (swimming).

12 Things All Swim Parents Should Know

MSA Sponsors and Affiliates

Please remember that when you support our sponsors you are also supporting MSA! If you have or know of a business that would like to help a local non-profit organization support young swimmers and growing program, please have them contact Anna Wright at [email protected]

Boars Head

Papa Johns

PJ’s Coffee

Tyler Mann

Vertex Stone

Long Range Planning

Please note the schedule of the following events which will take place several months from now

Signup deadlines are generally 2 weeks before event

June 15 (Swim Meet) - Madison Medal (SCY)

June 16 (Swim Meet) - HSA (LCM)

June 15-23 (Swim Meet) - Olympic Trials in Indianapolis (Qualifiers only)

July 6 (Swim Meet)) - Bussell Island Swim (Open Water)