I know it’s cold and rainy, but it’s time to start thinking about summer swim team at Huntley Hills.  Go Hammerheads!

Suit Sizing & Parent Meeting

We’re planning on having our annual suit sizing followed by a parent meeting on March 20 at 4:00pm.  We’ll be at the clubhouse at 4:00pm with the sizing kit for the kids to try one.  There was entirely too much drama last season with suits not fitting.  Please come to the meeting to try on a suit if your child will need a new one.  Not all suits fit the same way, even of the same brand.  The only way to know for certain that a suit will fit is to try it on.  We will again order suits on our internal swim shop and then I will submit a team order to our vendor.  If you miss the deadline, you’ll be on your own to order the suit directly from the vendor. 

At 5:00pm we’ll have a parent meeting and introduce you to our new head coach, Nick Coso, who some of you may know from the math department at Chamblee Middle School and from the coaching staff at Chamblee High School swim team.  Nick swam collegiately at Florida Southern University.   I know it will be confusing with two “Nicks” running around but we’ll come up with something, maybe Coach Nick and El Hefe Nick.

Registration:

We’re continuing to use the huntleyhills.swim-team.us website for all our swim team administration.  This includes registration.  ONE BIG CHANGE, starting this year the ASA league fees will be paid during registration.  You’ll see this as a $24 add-on fee for each swimmer.  With this change you will no longer need to go to the ASA website to pay this fee separately.    Registration normally kicks off at the parent meeting but we’ve turned it on now if you want to get a head start. 

Swim Team Costs:

There is only one small change to the fees this year.  We’ve eliminated the separate Junior Hammerhead rate and will just go with the regular swim team rates for everybody.  

• HHSTC members $85
• Non-members, $170
• Each additional swimmer is $50

Season Scheduling

With July 4th on Monday this year the schedule is being tweaked a bit.  Notably, the ASA Championship days are changing.  Our divisional will now be on Wednesday, June 29 as opposed to our traditional Thursday divisional.  The finals which are normally on Sunday are moving to Saturday.  Also because our divisional is now on Wed. our last meet is going to be on a Monday instead.  This gives the kids a day of rest.   Additionally, once the schedule is out, we are trying to move our first meet to Thursday instead of Tuesday, the day after Memorial Day.  It’s not set in stone yet, but plan on having meets on Thursday, Tues, Tues, Tues, and Monday for this season.  Things will go back to normal next year, but I like the Thursday idea and we may keep it.

Jr. Coaches:

We are in need of a team of junior coaches to work with our Junior Hammerhead swim team.  Coaches will work with new swimmers to help them develop the skills needed to move up to the main swim team.  The number of coaches hired will depend on the number of swimmers registered for the Junior Hammerhead program.  If you are a rising 8th grader or older, please send a resume and cover letter to Mary Finnegan by March 27th.  The coaches will be announced at the April 24th swimmer assessments.  The cover letter should include why you think you would make a good coach and any dates you know you will not be available during the swim season (camps, family vacations, etc.).  This is not a paid position but a financial gratuity will be provided at the end of the season. 

Sponsorships:

This year we have a really big need for swim team sponsors.  We’ve got a couple big ticket items that we’d like to purchase this year.  These include new lane ropes, which are nearing the end of their life and an electronic starting system.  Allison Pellettieri does an amazing job with this each year, but any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. 

Club News:

I thought I would pass along some exciting news that some of you may have missed, especially our non-club member families.  The membership has given the HHSTC board approval to move forward with construction of a new clubhouse.  While designs and plans are still being worked out there are some exciting new features planned that will be of interest to the swim team.  The first of these is extending the pool deck behind the starting blocks 7 feet.  This gives us a lot more room to operate.  The second big improvement is the construction of new building left (if looking from the parking lot) of the deep end.  This building will have two rooms; a large storage room for pool equipment (lane ropes, starting blocks, swim team training aids) and a swim team office/guard room.   

Pre-season Training:

Here are a couple of training opportunities you may be interested in.

Concourse Athletic Club:   located in the King and the Queen Buildings in the Perimeter, has several aquatics programs and lessons for adults, juniors, younger children and toddlers available to your family all year round.  You do not have to be a member to participate.  They meet Tues & Thurs 4 - 4:45 for ages 6-8, and from 4:45 - 5:45 for ages 9-13.  This is a year round program.  You sign up monthly and the kids can swim 1 or 2 days a week.   This is a great way to swim year round without committing to a USS team.   Or you can get tuned up and ready for your summer season.  Contact, Nancy Overheim, CAC Head Coach Masters / Junior Stroke,  901-337-6793

 

Chamblee Junior Swim Club:  Summer Swim League Tune Up - The Chamblee Junior Swim Club is open to CMS 6th-8th graders. The club will meet Mondays and Thursdays March 21st - April 28th from 4:15 - 5:30 at the Chamblee High School Pool.  Click Here for More Information or register online at http://chambleeswim.weebly.com/