Hello SWIVE!
Can you believe swim starts in just a few days?! I am super excited as I see all the athletes that are returning and all the new athletes joining us. So awesome!!! I apologize if you are a 2023 parent or swimmer, this was the best way to reach everyone- and sending out thru multiple platforms.

We have a new assistant coach named Stacy Chung. I can’t wait for you all to meet her. She has a lot of experience with coaching and swimming in college. She has a fun, positive energy and will add a lot to the team!

This email has a LOT of important information. Please look at it all- I will be able to answer questions for parents in person Thursday evening, or via email. Swimmers who have questions are welcome to email me but we'll go over things Monday at practices.

Key Points: Register for Final Forms, Swimtopia and Heja. Save the below dates. Practice Schedule is available on Swim Topia.
Important Dates:
⦁ August 24- Swim & Dive Retreat / Picnic 11-2, Seward Park, Shelter #4. Families Welcome!
⦁ Aug 26- First Day of Practice!!!! Schedule is posted on swimtopia. Please make sure you are regsiterd for Swimtopia to receive communications. It is critical for parents and swimmers to be regsistered for Final Forms, Swimtopia and Heja. If your athlete does not have an up to date physical (you've been emailed and we can see on Final Forms, they will not be able to participate).
⦁ August 29- Fall Sports Night at Holy Names
Here are some important things to know:
Here are the steps. I noticed that some of you have already registered on Final Forms, so you can skip that step:
1. Register for Final Forms!
2. Make sure you have a current physical. Physicals are good for 24 months. Go to WIAA Sports Physical Form to download a pdf file to take to your doctor. You can not practice until this is complete. You will be sent home if you arrive and do not have this. It is a WIAA rule, a Holy Names rule and for the safety you and the coaches and pool staff.
3. Please, register for SwimTopia, our swim website. To get register for Swimtopia, which everyone needs to do whether you were registered last year or not, go to http://holynames.swimtopia.com You must register for the 2024 season. Go to the Home Page and click on Registration. Parents should register as this is how we sign up for swim meets and how I communicate with you.
4. Upload the Heja app. This is how we schedule practices and send out quick information. https://heja.io/download/EK781066
5. Divers- We have some exciting updates about Dive. But for your attendance and pracitices to count- I will need to know when you attend dive practice. We will allow time for dive practcing at HNA practices as well.
6. Swimsuits/Jackets/Caps: Here is the link for the team swimsuit, jackets, etc. We are using Swim Outlet this year. You can wear previous suits (both the black 2021 suit and the Jolyn suits are on here) but if you need new sizes, prefer differnt styles- any of these work. Caps will be provided by HNA. https://www.swimoutlet.com/collections/holynames
7. Check the practice schedule. The PDF is not set in stone. Medger Evers can change our schedule based on pool activities- so making sure you have Heja makes sure you know when and where practice is. The schedule is on Swimtopia in multiple locations.
8. This year WIAA has changed the required practices before the first meet to 7 (previously 10). You can't practice if you don't have a physical. Once you hit the 7 practices- you are still expected to attend. We ask that swimmers aim for 3 practices as week, 2 minimum. Only 1 practice per day counts. You can attend both morning and afternoon the same day, but you can only count as 1 practice.

If you don’t plan to do swim or dive, do not register and you will no longer get any emails.
Once, you have registered for Swimtopia, you will be able to see our practice schedule and meet schedule.
What to expect for Morning Practice:
⦁ Practice starts at 5:30. The doors will be open at 5:15 to Medger Evers - I'll be there. IF you don't see lights on, my car or anyone inside and you are dropping off a swimmer PLEASE make sure they get in safely. It's dark in the Central District in the morning. Safety is the most important.
⦁ Doors lock at 5:40. This is automated by the safety system at the pool. We can let you in if you message and let us know you're running behind or tell a team mate. THIS is why Heja is CRITICAL. cell service at Medger Evers is bad, and coaches are busy doing attendance, so if you are going to be late please give time for someone to get to the door and let you in.
⦁ Warmups will start at 5:30, this means you will be on the pool deck, in your suit BEFORE that.
⦁ BRING WATER.
⦁ Bring something to eat for post practice. Protien is best for muscle recovery - eaten within the 30 minutes after getting out of the water.
⦁ If you have zero period, orchestra or somethiing else you MUST tell coaches prior to getting in the water so we can alert you. The group leaving early will get out at 6:40. This gives you plenty of time if you're on a bus or carpool. If you have quetions please ask that day. We announce that time for people to get out- there is no excuse if you don't pay attention.
⦁ You must be OUT of the locker room by 7:20 to make it to HNA on time. Your coaches work full time. We can not leave until you do, so please make sure to move quickly to school - and keep track of your things.
What to expect for Afternoon Practice:
⦁ Carpools are being set up by captains. If you need a ride to practice, you must talk to them. No more people in a car than there are seatbelts. Thursday early dismissals give you PLENTY of time to get to the pool and not be late.
⦁ Afternoon practice times vary. Please refer to the schedule. If you need to get out early - please talk to coaches prior to getting in the water.
⦁ If you get to the pool early, you are welcome to sit on the deck until coaches get there and do homework.
⦁ As there can be more issues that arise in the afternoon- please make sure you register on Heja if you plan to attend- should anything need to change or get cancelled.
⦁ Bring water. Plan to eat something post 30 minutes of practice for best muscle recovery.
⦁ You still have to change and head out quickly in the afternoon. Coaches stay until all swimmers are safely out or at club practice (if on SMAC).
Things you will need to get bring:
⦁ 1-piece bathing suit- can be any swimsuit you want as long as it is comfortable.
⦁ Swim cap – must be a Holy Names swim cap or a blank cap. Please, no club logos. First Day of practice Aug 26th- you can wear ANY cap you want. After that, we'll switch to HNA caps.
⦁ Goggles – I will not have a supply. I prefer clear goggles as Medgar Evers can be dark. Also, prescription goggles are cheap if you are nearsighted or farsighted. I prefer to wear my prescription goggles over wearing my contacts. They run around $15 - $25. You can also order online! Make sure you have some!
⦁ Towel, shampoo and conditioner. Showers available at Medgar Evers (and school when in session).
Parking and Transportation:
⦁ Parking - There is a parking lot across the corner of Cherry St. and 24th by Garfield’s tennis courts that is free, and you can walk down the stairs to the entrance of Medgar Evers. There is one by the school and one along the side of the road. Please be mindful in the morning- it's dark, so make sure to park safely, and try to walk as a group. In the afternoon, parking is MUCH harder. Even if you think you have time, please give yourself a little extra. It's harder to park in the Garfield lot during the afternoons.
⦁ There are a few lots across the baseball field. If you park here, please try to walk as a group, or ask a coach to walk with you. If you arrive in the morning and want to wait to walk with others - just message on Heja.
⦁ After practice (morning or afternoon) - DO NOT walk to your car in only your swimsuit. I get it, I've done it plenty of times, but you need to at least put on shorts. Even if you're walking to your parents car. Clothes required. Towel doesn't count.
⦁ Metro bus route – There is a bus route 48 along 23rd and Cherry that takes you to 23rd and E. Aloha. The routes run at 6:39 am, 6:54 am and 7:09 am from the pool to the school. In the afternoons the route leaves at 2:41 pm and gets to Medgar Evers by 2:52 pm. If you miss it, you won’t be at practice until 3:10 p.m. Try not to miss it.
⦁ Carpools – As a coach, I cannot coordinate carpools. That will be up to you and the team to figure out. The best way to do this is for you to go to the captain practices tomorrow and Friday and talk to the captains. Charlotte, one of your senior captains has posted a link on Heja. Not on Heja? Register asap please :)
Practice & Meets:
⦁ Practices – The first week of practice is easy as some athletes will be just returning to swim for the first time since last year. We like to go through all the strokes and evaluate. Tuesday - Thursday will be time trials, and goal setting. We also will be going through the rules. On Friday, we typically do our Retreat and play games. Don't forget to rsvp on the Heja app. This is VERY important to attend.
⦁ Swimtopia has the practice schedule in MULTIPLE places. If you ask me for the calendar, I will ask if you've looked on Swimtopia. It's under documents, it's on the front page (at the bottom), it's also linked under the practice time tab. This is important- as changes occur (which they will) they will be posted in these places.
⦁ SwimTopia – The first meet has been set up on SwimTopia. I recommend practicing signing up now so you can ask me if you run into problems.
⦁ Travel to meets- buses and carpools will be discussed at the Fall Sports Night. Parents, please plan to attend.
How to Use Swimtopia:
Here is how you do it:
1.The parent or athlete logs onto https://holynames.swimtopia.com
2.Click: Swim Meet SIGN UP!!
3.Click: Green MEET ENTRY OPEN tab for the date you want to sign up.
4.Click: Green EDIT tab at the bottom to make changes.
5.From the drop-down selector, change from (undeclared) to Not attending this meet or Attending this meet.
6.Click: Up to (2) individual events you would like to participate.
7.Is (swimmer) available to swim in relays? Select response from the drop-down menu.
8. Need to let the coach know something? Add text to the text box.
9.Click: SAVE to finish your selection. Failure to click “SAVE” will lose your choices.
Entries are due no later than the Tuesday before a swim meet. That gives me time to look over and make changes and add the relays. If you are sick the Thursday before a meet, you will be removed from all relays even if you feel better on Friday. If you don't attend school, the day of the meet, you can't participate.

I will send out this information and put on Swimtopia in a printable PDF as well.

We're really looking forward to seeing everyone Saturday and once the season starts. We will have a great (big) team, a fun season and lots of goals to crush.
hope the rest of the summer break is fun!
See you Saturday (or Monday!)
Coach Sam