Happy Sunday Blasters! Yes I said Sunday, not Monday–the weekly email goes out early this week because the declaration deadline is today and there are a lot of events this week. Just a reminder that we will have stroke clinics this week–even after the Micro meet on Thursday. This is going to be a long one, but please read it carefully as there is a lot of important information.

This Thursday, July 24 will be our Micro Blaster meet at Iona Sound pool from 5 - 7 pm. Please sign up your Micros if they can attend by tomorrow, Monday, July 20. In addition, when you RSVP for your swimmer, there are volunteer jobs to sign up for. Swimmer coaches, please make sure to arrive by 4:45 pm.

This Saturday, July 26 will be the White Division Championship Meet AWAY against the Wellington Dolphins and Victory Lake Piranhas. Swimmers should plan to arrive at the Dolphins’ Pool (9700 Wellington Road, Manassas, Virginia 20110) in their team suits and caps no later than 6:00 AM. Today is the deadline to declare for the meet. If you are unsure how to declare, please check out this instruction guideline. We will NOT ADD swimmers to events after the declaration deadline tonight. Attached is a list of those who have declined or are undeclared. PLEASE CHECK THIS LIST, EVEN IF YOU BELIEVE YOU DECLARED, DOUBLE CHECK TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT ON THE LIST. If you appear on the UNDECLARED list but plan to swim this weekend, please edit your swimmer(s) commitment on the website by 11:59 pm tonight! Unlike regular dual meets, per the PWSL bylaws, there are requirements for swimmers to be eligible to swim at divisionals: all swimmers must have a legal time and participate in 2 PWSL swim meets during the season. For this reason, those who do not meet the eligibility requirements are automatically noted as ineligible. If you have questions about this, please reach out to [email protected]. 

CALLING ALL PARENTS, there is an opportunity for parent relays at the end of the Divisional meet.  If you would like to participate, please email [email protected] by Wednesday, July 23.

Here are a few additional reminders:

1. The 2025 Braemar Blasters Executive Board Election will open tomorrow. All Braemar Blaster families are eligible to vote in the Executive Board Election–one vote per family. Please vote for one person for each position. You can learn more about the candidates by selecting the information link below their name. The election will be open until 10:00 PM Friday, July 25, 2024. The results will be announced at the awards ceremony and sent via email. For any questions or concerns please reach out to the elections committee at [email protected]
2. Do not forget to bring your pool passes—resident and non-resident—to practices. Also, non-resident pool passes are due this week! We will have a box to collect the pool passes at the last practices and the awards ceremony. Please make sure you turn in your passes on-time to avoid additional fees and the inability to register again.
3. If you would like a photo banner to decorate your tent for Divisionals, our fabulous photographer Maria has captured wonderful images through the season and will be ordering banners for $10.50 plus shipping (Maria does these at cost) and will need to order by Tuesday night 7/22. She has posted more info to the Facebook group with how to go about ordering and we've pinned it to the top next to this newsletter. Questions? You can email her at: [email protected].
4. Don’t forget, volunteering for Blaster families is MANDATORY…including at Divisionals!
5. If you ordered a divisional shirt/sweatshirt, we will have them later this week. Once they are ready for distribution, we will post on Facebook and send an email for more information.
6. More information on the divisional meet will be sent on Friday, including the specific timeline. Stay tuned.
7. PWSL top 25 times for individual events and top 15 relays are listed on the PWSL website, along with the meet results for all the meets on Monday.
8. Ribbons will be available each week starting on Tuesday at Iona Sound pool only.

Events this week

It’s SPIRIT WEEK!! This is a busy week for the Blasters, with lots of fun events–there is an event every single day for all to participate in. Some require you to bring items (like tie dye day), so please come prepared. Remember, unless noted otherwise, all events are open to Blasters and MicroBlasters.

1. Monday, July 21:
   1. Right after practices:
   1. 8&under, 9-10: Popsicles and Dance Party
   2. 11-12, 13 & up: Photo/Video Challenge
   2. I scream, you scream, we all scream for Ice Cream! Our favorite spirit night will take place from 5:30 - 8:30 pm at Cold Stone in Gainesville. Come grab some ice cream while the coaches scoop it out.
2. Tuesday, July 22:
   1. Tie-Dye Tuesday! Don’t forget to bring your items to tie dye. 11 and older age group and Micros: 7-8 pm at Clareybrook Park. 10 & under age group: 8 - 9 pm at Clareybrook Park.
   2. BBQ Truck will be at Rob Roy–perfect for dinner!
3. Wednesday, July 23:
   1. Wacky games after practice!
   1. 8&under, 9-10: yard games and card games
   2. 11-12, 13 & up: Dodge Ball
   2. 13 & older age group–Scavenger Hunt at 6-8 pm at Clareybrook Park.
4. Thursday, July 24:
   1. Breakfast after ALL practices. Stay tuned for sign-up genius!
   2. Micro Blasters meet at 5pm. Everyone come cheer on our Micros!!
5. Friday, July 25:
   1. Crafts for all ages after practice!
6. Saturday, July 26: Tent decorating contest at divisionals! This awesome annual tradition will happen again this year with prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
7. Sunday, July 37: AWARDS CEREMONY! The awards ceremony is a celebration of the summer season and open to all Micros and Blasters. Please RSVP on our website ASAP. If you would like to be considered for one of Coach Chris’ prizes, you must RSVP by Thursday, July 24 at 11:59 pm. The ceremony will take place at Kettle Run High School from 3:30 - 5:30 pm in the auditorium.

Volunteers are needed to run this meet–in fact more than normal. Everyone will be encouraged to sign up for a spot, even if it may not be your general committee role in order to meet the increased shifts. Please note if you are attending the meet and have not signed up for your specific job shift, you will automatically be assigned a shift. As a reminder, the following committees have the ability to sign-up on the website/app when declaring their swimmers: computers, clerk of course, timers, ribbons, runners, and stroke & turn. A guide on how to sign-up for job shifts is available on our website.

Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have questions in the meantime. It's the last week of summer swim and it's going to be a great one!