TOMORROW (Tuesday) is the big day…FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE! Here’s what you need to know:

If you are new to the team, WELCOME! If you have questions please don’t be shy about asking the swim team reps or veteran parents at practice. Any of us will be happy to assist you and will likely know you are new to the team.

SWIM TEAM WEBSITE: https://wvbluefins.swimtopia.com

If you find that it is missing the information you need, please let us know.

-PAYMENT-

If you selected “check” for the payment method when you registered and haven’t mailed your payment yet, you can give your check (made out to “Woodbridge Valley Pool”) to one of the swim team reps at practice.

-PRACTICES-

Practice Schedule LINK

While BCPS is in session: Monday-Thursday (NO FRIDAY PRACTICES - the pool is open for regular hours on Fridays)

• 4:30-5:00 PM : 8 years old and under
• 5:00– 5:45 PM: 9-10 and 11-12 age groups
• 5:45 – 6:30 PM: 13-14 and 15 & over age groups

MORNING PRACTICES BEGIN JUNE 17th (Morning practices are Monday - Friday)

• 7:30-8:30 AM: by coach’s invitation and for those whose family schedules do not allow for attendance during later practices
• 8:30-9:30 AM: 6 and under, 8 and under, and 9-10
• 9:30-10:30 AM: 11-12, 13-14, and 15 & over.

Practice cancellations due to weather or other circumstances will be communicated by email and on the Facebook page.

While it’s encouraged to attend practice daily, we understand that swimmers have camps and vacations. Attendance is not taken at practices but it is REQUIRED to declare whether your swimmer(s) will or will not be attending swim meets. Swim Meets LINK

-WHAT TO BRING-

Make sure your swimmer has a suit, towel, goggles, and water bottle. At this point in the season, the water is still cold so you may want to bring an extra towel and/or a sweatshirt and/or sweatpants. Trust us, any extra layer will be appreciated by your swimmer!

-PARENT MEETING-

We will be holding a Parent Meeting on Wednesday, June 4th at 5 pm at the pool. If you can make it, please come so you will get all the information about the season. If you can not make it, no worries! Any information shared at the meeting will be sent to everyone via email.

-SWIM HELPERS-

We can always use a few helpers with the youngest swimmers at the 4:30 practice (8:30 AM starting 6/17). If you have a middle or high school swimmer who is interested in earning community service hours, we are always happy to sign your child’s form if they help with our youngest swimmers.

-COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS-

We are still looking for people to help with Concessions, the End of Year Party, and Fundraising. If you are interested in volunteering for these very important jobs, please sign up HERE.

-STROKE & TURN JUDGES-

We need 3-4 people to sign up to be Stroke & Turn Judges as we have to provide 2 judges for each meet (one per half). It's always helpful to have backups in case of illness or vacation. You do not need to have any swimming experience to be a stroke and turn judge. There is an online training that you must take. Once the training is completed, you will receive a certificate that allows you to sign up as a stroke and turn judge during swim meets. You CANNOT sign up for that job without a valid certificate. Training needs to be completed by June 13th. Please sign up HERE if you are interested and we’ll send you the sign up link. We cannot have meets without Stroke & Turn Judges!

-TEAM STORE & SUITS-

See the website for information on ordering TEAM APPAREL and SUITS.

-REMINDER FOR PARENTS-

Please be sure to keep the deck clear for swimmers and coaches during practices. This is the area at the end of the pool where coaches will be conducting practice. There are plenty of seats on the sides of the pool and at the far end (under the trees). Also, to minimize distractions, please refrain from talking to the coaches during the practices. Swimmers can only attend one practice a day (unless they are helping with the younger swimmers in addition to attending their own practice). Swimmers must exit the pool at the end of their practice time. They may stay on the pool grounds but must be supervised by a parent or guardian and cannot distract the coaches. If you have questions about any administrative items about the swim team (paying, entries, volunteering, vacation notices, etc.) feel free to email the team reps directly ([email protected]). Our veteran parents are also a good resource of information and are always happy to help our newer swim team families.

See you at the pool!

Elizabeth Cottrell & Marlena Dillenbeck

2025 Bluefin Swim Team Reps

[email protected]