Happy Monday Blasters! This coming Saturday, July 11 we have an away meet at the Bridlewood Bridlewaves.Today is the deadline to declare for the meet. Please note if you are NOT attending, you still need to declare that you are not attending. If you are unsure how to declare, please check out this instruction guideline.

Please note, 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 either list but plan to swim this weekend, please edit your swimmer(s) commitment on the website by 11:59 pm tonight! If you plan to be out of town this weekend and know you can not make the meet, please make sure to DECLINE the meet. We understand that illnesses and last minute changes happen, but we are trying to avoid all other scratches. Additionally, if you would like to suggest an event your child should swim, please include that in the notes while declaring. These are just suggestions, but the coaches will pay attention to them.

Events this week: There are a lot of events this week–plenty for all to participate in. As a reminder, unless specifically stated, all events are for both Micros and Blasters. Also, moving forward, all the flyers for any spirit night or social event will be available on our website the Sunday before the events. Make sure to check out our Social Events page!

1. Tuesday, July 7: 9 - 10 swimmers, this event is for you! It’s time for putt putt and ice cream starting at noon at the Magic Putting Place in Manassas. After mini-golf, head to Nathan’s Dairy Bar for ice cream. Swimmer coaches, don’t forget to join!
2. Thursday, July 9: Two Smooth Dudes food truck will be at Iona Sound pool from 5 - 7 pm. Stop by and grab dinner to support the Blasters!
3. Friday, July 10: Join us for a Patriotic Pep Rally from 6 - 8 pm at Clareybrook Park!
4. Sunday, July 12: Twilight swim practice for 13 & older age group from 9 - 10:30 pm at Iona Sound pool. Reminder, there will be no 13 & older practice on Monday, July 13.

Here are a few additional reminders:

1. You should receive an email from Victor O’Neill studios this week with a link to purchase the photos. If you are taking a makeup photo before 7/12 you WILL be included in the final team photo–however–you will not show up in the photo proof in the order link.
2. Parents, we know you want to encourage and chat with your kids while they are swimming, but it’s very distracting to the swimmers and proves difficult for coaching. Please refrain from talking to your swimmer(s) during practice time.
3. Ribbons will be available at Iona Sound pool only. They will be available starting on Tuesdays.
4. Don’t forget, volunteering for Blaster families is MANDATORY. Our swim meets cannot run without volunteers, so please make sure you are completing your selected roles and communicating with your committee head. If you have missed shifts, you will be called upon to make those up by doing double shifts or filling in as necessary. If you are currently assigned to a non-meet committee but plan to be at the meet, we strongly encourage you to sign up for a spot. While we would prefer for folks to not do duplicate volunteer positions–although several do already–we are short volunteers this summer and really need the extra hands.
5. Do not forget to bring your pool passes—resident and non-resident—to practices. We still have many non-resident families who have not picked up your pool passes. Please make sure to do so ASAP.

White Division Championship Meet will be 7/25! You can declare now, BUT, just a reminder that in order to be eligible for the meet you MUST participate in 2 dual meets and have a legal time. The following swimmers have not yet met that requirement and will show up as ineligible when trying to declare. But don’t worry, there are 2 more meets to become eligible!

Anticipated Timeline for Swim meet 7/11:

6:30 am: Warm-ups

6:30 am: Officials meeting

6:45 am: Timers meeting

7:00 am: Meet Start

12:30 pm/TBD: Meet End

After meet: Join us at Pizza Margherita in Gainesville!

Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to run this meet and you should be hearing from your committee heads soon on your specific roles. Please pay close attention to the emails/communications forthcoming. If you CANNOT make it to the meet, please let your committee head know ASAP. 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.

Looking forward to seeing you all on deck!