IMPORTANT DATES

• December 7-8: 2024 Fall Divisionals
• December 14: 2024 PNS 14&U Champs
• December 23 - January 3: No swim – Have a great vacation!

SUPPORT THE SEALS

Bake Sale Success: Thanks to our amazing families, we raised $1,008 at the Jingle Bash bake sale for our scholarship fund. Your delicious treats and volunteer energy made it happen! 🎉

Giving Tuesday: Consider the Seals for your year-end giving! Your tax-deductible donation supports our programs and keeps swimming accessible. Donate via WA Gives.

Volunteering: Jingle Bash volunteer hours have been recorded. Thank you for your support!

TEAM UPDATES

Swim Caps: Caps arrive around December 18th. Keep an eye on your email for pick-up and payment details!

Seal Pups Program Feedback 🐾: We’re considering bringing back the Seal Pups Program for younger swimmers.

• Tentative timing: 4 PM, one or two days per week.

Share your feedback here and help us shape the program!

FINANCIAL UPDATES

Refund Update: Parents will receive refunds for canceled practices due to the boiler breakdown.

Yearly Dues Reminder: Annual swim fees are billed in January. Stay tuned for details on family and level-based dues.

MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP

We’re loving the bubble this season! While it’s cozy and protective, please help manage the noise to ensure clear communication for swimmers and coaches.

Special thanks to Danielle and Derek Hinz for securing Bubble v2! Your work behind the scenes has been invaluable.

MESSAGE FROM OUR COACHES

We’re seeing incredible growth during practices! Our younger swimmers are transforming from “kids that swim” into true swimmers, and it’s exciting to watch them start to figure it all out. The future of the Seals is bright! 🌟

Swim Meets Update
The coaching staff shares your frustration with the limited swim meet opportunities. Before COVID, we had at least one meet per month, but several factors have reduced options:

• A few teams that regularly hosted meets have folded.
• Safe Sport requirements have impacted venue availability.
• The Federal Way pool canceled four meets this fall due to lifeguard shortages.
• Only one team in Tacoma is hosting, and there are no hosts on the Kitsap Peninsula.

Most remaining meets are north of Renton, which makes travel a challenge for many families. If you’re wondering why there are fewer competitions—rest assured, you’re not alone.

Good News!
King County Aquatic Center (KCAC) will host three meets this month: Divisionals, PNS 14&U Champs, and Senior Champs. We’re thrilled to send 17 athletes to compete this weekend. KCAC is an incredible facility, and for many Seals, it will be their first time seeing it. The excitement is palpable!

Looking ahead:

• February 15-16: Swim meet in University Place.
• March 15-16: 2nd Annual Koholo Invitational at UPS (co-hosted with Ohana Swim Team). Mark your calendars now—this is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we’ll need all hands on deck!

Membership Reminder
Many USA Swimming memberships expire on December 31, and a few swimmers still need to register for the first time. Active memberships are an insurance requirement. If just one swimmer isn’t registered, it could negate insurance for the entire team.
Please renew or join here to ensure your membership is active through 12/31/25.

Let’s make December amazing for the Seals! 🐟

SAFETY

We’re seeking a Safety Director to maintain our safety protocols. Interested? Contact Sean Waldron for details.