Good evening everyone,

The Swim-a-Thon groups are attached to this email, this time indicating arrival times and # of laps too. :) 

• ALL athletes are required to participate even if they raise no funds. Even if swimmers have no sponsors, they will complete this part of the program on Friday, July 15, or the next time they show up at practice after that. 
• Parents feel free to come in to count laps. :)

• Developmental & Hybrid Developmental group members are exempt.

• No one is obligated to raise funds; if it's an obligation, then it's a team fee, not a fundraiser.

• Date: July 15, Friday
• Location: Eddyside Pool
• Start Times: 
  • Green Group starts at 8:30 am (80 laps)
  • Gold Group starts at 10:00 am (40 laps)
  • Blue Group starts at 11:00 am (20 laps)
• NOTE: Distance Groups are not the same as training groups, so definitely look for your swimmer's name to see what group they are in and time they should arrive.
• Swimmers may swim any stroke or use a kickboard for short periods of time. Freestyle is usually the preferred stroke so kids finish in a timely manner. There are some kids who choose to do large chunks of it butterfly, but that could be a separate challenge from a sponsor for more money as an incentive.

FAQs:

1. "OK, Coach Drake..., I know you said it's not an obligation, but what should we use as a guide?" Most raise between $20 - $40 per family, although we've had some families raise hundreds of dollars in some years; $700+ is the record for one family set last year :).
2. "What if we raise no money, does my child still have to swim the distance?" Yes, it's part of their required training regimen.
3. "My swimmer is worried, he doesn't think he can swim that long non-stop. Does he really have to?" Yes, no one has ever failed to make their distance, so no matter how daunting it may seem, tell your swimmer they will prevail. It's a mental challenge more than a physical one, and these distances are well within reach of every swimmer in their group. Plus, they can use a kickboard or swim any stroke they want, whenever they want. Additionally, it builds personal confidence and it's a shared rite of passage for each team member.
4. What do we use the money for? Team gifts (shirts this year), fins, kickboards, fulcrum paddles, team computer & software, storage bins, shed repairs, lane lines, lap clocks, starting blocks, flags & poles, station markers, and maintaining lower team fees.

See you on deck!

Coach Drake