Happy Monday Blasters! We have a lot going on for the last 2 weeks of the season, so this will be a longer email than usual. Please read ALL of it as there is a lot of important information on upcoming events and deadlines.

This coming Saturday, July 18 we have our last meet of the season at home against the Ridgewood Barracudas. 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. Make sure to check out our Social Events page!

1. Monday, July 13: If you’re looking for dinner, stop by Cinco de Mayo in Bristow from 4 - 8 pm. See website for more details.
2. Tuesday, July 14: 11 -12 age group event–lunch and a movie! You should have received a separate email with more details, but get your tickets ASAP before they sell out.
3. Wednesday, July 15: The fabulous 13 & older scavenger hunt will be from 6 - 8 pm. This is a fan favorite for sure!
4. Friday, July 17: Our last pep rally of the season–join us at Iona Sound pavilion for the Pirates at the Pool pep rally from 6 - 8 pm.
5. Saturday, July 18: It’s time for twilight community swim with DJ Nick from 7 - 10 pm! The Two Smooth Dudes food truck will be there too…grab dinner and support the Blasters!
6. Sunday, July 19: Coaches end of the season dinner. If you have not RSVP’d yet, today is the deadline to sign-up!

Here are a few additional reminders:

1. Team Photos: You should have received an email from Great American/Victor O’Neill studios last week with a personalized link to your photos. If you did not receive an email, please let [email protected] know ASAP. There will be a few changes to the team and age group photos to ensure we have it all correct.
2. The Divisional Merchandise deadline is today! Make sure you order your divisional shirts, hoodies, etc by the deadline today. All merch will be delivered next Thursday and Friday during practices. https://stores.athletesmark.com/pwsl_white_division/shop/home 
3. Elections: The nomination window for open Board Member elections closes on Thursday, July 16. You should have received a separate email from Braemar Blasters “2026 Call for Executive Board Nominations.” Don’t forget there are 2 positions available for nomination: Vice President and Team Administrator.
4. Photos needed for the slideshow! Coach Lauren is preparing our end of season slide show and she needs your help! All photos should be emailed to [email protected]. While we cannot guarantee all photos will be included, Coach Lauren will do her best!
   1. Seniors: please send in photos from when you are 8 & under, 9 - 15 years old, and senior year (they don’t have to be swim related).
   2. All swimmers and families: we are looking for pictures of (1) parent volunteers, (2) parents and swimmers together, (3) non-swim team events, (4) heat winners, and (5) all other swim meet candid shots!
5. Deadlines: There are a lot of events to RSVP for happening NEXT week. All the event declarations are open, so please take time this week to update your availability.
   1. Divisional Meet (7/25): Please note if you are not eligible yet, you will not be able to declare. Otherwise all declarations are due by this Sunday, July 19 (not Monday per usual).
   2. Blastermania (7/22): We had to move Blastermania due to the heat, so it will be next Wednesday, July 22. Please update your availability.
   3. Micro Meet (7/22): Micros this is for you!! Please update your availability to participate and parents sign up for volunteer jobs.
   4. Award Ceremony (7/26): Don’t forget to RSVP for the awards ceremony. Coach Chris is still purchasing his grab bag prizes, and if you want to be included in the drawing you must RSVP by Monday, July 20.
6. Ribbons will be available at Iona Sound pool only. They will be available starting on Tuesdays.
7. 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.

Anticipated Timeline for Swim meet 7/18:

6:00 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 Foster’s in Bristow!

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!