Good afternoon, Gators,

It is just about T minus 24 hours from the Gators' preseason kickoff on Tuesday, May 28! Please read below for important updates and information about our preseason schedule.

Swim Team Registration Fees

• When: Due before your swimmer(s) can participate in practice
• Where: Payment can be sent/delivered to Jeremy Davis at 117 Cedargrove Place SW. You can also bring payment to the Tuesday Preseason Team Meeting.

New Swimmer Evaluations

• When: Tuesday, May 27, between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm
• Where: Greenway Farms pool
• Who: All new Mini Gators AND Greenway Gators (incl. 2024 Mini Gators who are moving up to the main team)
• What: Mini Gators evaluations will be conducted in the walk-in area of the pool. Greenway Gators will be on the far side. Swimmers ages 8 and under should be able to swim one length (25 meters) of the pool unassisted. Swimmers ages 9 and over should be able to swim two lengths (50 meters) of the pool unassisted. Please see the Swim Team Eligibility page on our website for additional information (https://greenwaygators.swimtopia.com/swim-team-eligibility)
• If you have a conflict on Tuesday and cannot attend New Swimmer Evaluations, please contact Ashley Miller ([email protected]) and Coach Emma ([email protected]). New swimmers will not be able to attend practice until they have completed their evaluation.
• Equipment: Swimmers will need their bathing suits, goggles, and a towel (and something warm to wrap up in after evaluations are done!).

Preseason Team Meeting

• When: Tuesday, May 27 at 6:00 pm
• Where: Outside the Greenway Farms pool house (to the left of the building)
• Who: ALL Greenway Gators families (Minis, main team, parents/guardians)
• What: This is our big orientation for the 2025 season. Meet our coaches and get details on what to expect this season. We will have treats for the swimmers to enjoy as well!

Preseason Practices

• When: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays starting Wednesday, May 28 and concluding Thursday, June 12. Six 30-minute practices will be offered starting at 5:00 pm and wrapping up at 8:00 pm.
• Where: Greenway Farms pool
• Who: Greenway Gators only (Mini Gators practices begin on Monday, June 16)
• How: Each practice will be limited to 12 swimmers (6 per lane). Please use this Sign-Up Genius (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0848ACAC2AA7F94-57055417-preseason?fbclid=IwY2xjawKhq4hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFsWFlsamY0Um1URUhVbjJmAR5eSFwmmH5WYWNK8bVZh9ZPIAIbCofR-al8NZLP2OVO1SDugbIpUpDvPVtP3Q_aem_ypxuGTMMVOoeNU2zznL1qQ#/) to reserve practice times. A sign-up needs to be submitted for each swimmer attending practice. Please include each swimmer’s name and age when you sign up.

Inclement Weather Reminder

• If weather conditions require a delay or cancellation of practices, Coach Emma will send an alert through SwimTopia with a cross-post to our Facebook group. Please be sure you’ve allowed notifications from the SwimTopia app on your phone, so you don’t miss any updates.

Gators Merchandise

• We will get an update on estimated delivery dates for screen-printed items that were ordered through our team store this week. More to come on this.
• In the meantime, Gators Equipment Manager, Ali Wiese, will have swim caps and your FREE team T-shirts available for pickup at the preseason team meeting tomorrow (and until they’ve all been picked up). NOTE: Please be sure your team account is in good standing before you pick up your swim cap(s) and shirt(s).

Sample Suits for Sale

Please see Ali Wiese if you would like to purchase a suit from the sample set. Currently, the following are available:

Men’s/Boys for $32:

• Official 2025 Team Suit Pattern in sizes 34, 36, 38, 40
• Green pattern (great for practice/backup) in sizes: 24, 26, 28, 30, 32

Women’s/Girls for $40:

• Official 2025 Team Suit pattern in sizes 34, 36, 38, 40
• Green pattern (great for practice/backup) in sizes: 24, 26, 28, 30, 32

Become an ODSL Official and Greenway Gators Hero!

There are several opportunities for parent volunteers to help the Greenway Gators this summer! If you are interested in becoming an ODSL official (and subsequent Gators HERO), please see below information about upcoming training dates and registration. You can also see this information on the ODSL website at https://odsl.swimtopia.com/training.

Stroke & Turn Officials (New)

• Tue. May 27, 6:00 – 7:30 pm @ Cascades Library
• Mon. Jun 2, 6:00 – 7:30 pm @ Brambleton Library
• Tue. Jun 3, 6:00 – 7:30 pm @ Cascades Library
• Register here: https://forms.gle/v1Z3qB4KymKXpHteA

Alternative self-paced options for Stroke & Turn training:

• http://www.strokeandturn.com/ - (~$25)
• https://university.usaswimming.org/landing - [search for Stroke and Turn Certification Course (Create a USA Swimming member account, training is free. - $35 without an account)

Starter (New) - You must have completed one year as a Stroke & Turn Official

• Mon. Jun 2, 7:45 – 8:45 pm @ Brambleton Library
• Register here: https://forms.gle/VWLWtQKDT5zGTRm87

Referee (New) - You must have completed one year as a Stroke & Turn official and be recommended by your team rep.

• Tue. Jun 3, 7:45 pm – 8:45 pm @ Cascades Library
• Register here: https://forms.gle/ydHYz5pLcdpWjb6R7

Recertification (VIRTUAL - ALL POSITIONS)

• Tue. May 27, 7:45 – 8:45 pm (Stroke & Turn Recertification)
• Thu. May 29, 6:30 – 7:30 pm (Stroke & Turn Recertification)
• Thu. May 29, 7:30 – 8:30 pm (Starter Recertification)
• Register here: https://forms.gle/9rbb4LK8svprViAT9

Hope you all have a great weekend. We look forward to seeing you at the pool next week!