In this email:

1. Practice this week
2. Weather!
3. Meet #3 June 18
4. Arrival times for Meet #3
5. Meet absences -- tell us TODAY
6. Food at & after Meet #3
7. Quick notes
8. Looking ahead – RSVPs needed

1. Practice this week

Practice is at the Club all week, since we have two home meets in a row. Remember that Meet Monday practice schedules are different!

2. Weather!

We’re watching the forecast for Monday, and hoping it improves. Here’s what you need to know:

• Swim meets are NEVER drop-off events. Every swimmer must have a responsible adult on-site for the whole meet in case of emergency (weather or otherwise). If your family walks or bikes to the meet, please make arrangements ahead of time to join friends in their cars in case of lightning.
• Remind is the first place we post for weather updates – if you’re not getting Remind texts from the Tarpons, sign up today! We also follow up on Twitter (@NTTarpons) and Facebook (New Territory Tarpons). You can read the Facebook feed on our website, too.
• We swim if it is raining – the meet WILL GO ON as scheduled, if there is only rain. Lightning in the area means that we have to clear the pool; everyone will go to their cars* until the storm passes. If the storm is expected to continue so long that we can’t finish the meet, then it will be suspended and finished another day. Our make-up day for this meet, if required, is this Wednesday (same times and place), so pencil that into your calendar, just in case.
• We will not make the call to delay or postpone until it is clearly required. Swimming on Monday, as scheduled, is what we’ve all planned for, so we will do that if we can.

3. Meet #3 June 18

Our third meet is at HOME, with the Pecan Grove Piranhas. Bring your bug spray, extra towels, goggles/caps, snacks/drinks, etc. -- Packing List. It’s a good idea to pack in waterproof containers this week, and keep everything portable for possible quick exit to the car. Bring lots of water -- everybody stay hydrated, swimmers AND parents!

Swimmers and parents, please take all your trash with you after the meet – the mess left behind in the Tarpons’ swimmer area after the last meet represented our team poorly. We will have recycle bins for empty bottles and cans (only) at the Club – please put other garbage and leftover food in the trash.

No sunscreen on swimmers’ arms until events are marked. If you remember your swimmer number from last week, it helps if you mark your own hand at home before arriving, like this, with the NT above the number:

4. Arrival times for Meet #3

3:00 PM Age Group Parents
3:15 PM Swimmers
4:00 PM First-half volunteers and relay stroke judges
5:30-6:00 PM Second-half volunteers

Showing up *ON TIME* for your shift is part of your volunteer responsibility. For meet-day volunteer emergencies, text Jamie at 832-216-6175.

We get lots of questions about what time the meet starts. Don’t forget that you can see the entire season on one page in the Resources section of our website!

5. Meet absences -- tell us TODAY

If your swimmer is NOT going to be able to swim at a future meet, please report your absence now with the MEET ENTRY button (illustrated how-to directions > HERE). We assume that all swimmers will attend, unless you report an absence. The coaches start lining up heats and relays on Friday and Saturday, so report absences early.

If you have an illness or emergency that forces you to be absent for this Monday’s meet, please email ALL of these people: coaches Brian [email protected] and Alex [email protected], meet director Mel [email protected], AND volunteer coordinators Jamie & Purvi [email protected]. For meet-day volunteer emergencies, text Jamie at 832-216-6175.

6. Food at & after Meet #3

Food: Anna’s Gourmet Greek and Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers food trucks will be in the parking lot. The Tarpons will have a concession stand with drinks and snacks.

Merchandise: Check out the Tarpons merchandise table for all the latest Tarpons merch, including towels, hats, shirts, caps, goggles, water bottles, bags, team photos, and more!

After-meet party: The Tarpons are gathering at Carmelo’s after Monday’s meet. We love all of our sponsors!

7. Quick notes

Team t-shirts (and goody bags if you have not already picked yours up) will be at the concession stand at the meet.

Speeding tickets will be available at Thursday practices for 12 & under (and by request for 13 & up).

We’re always looking for new members to add to our Board of Directors. Grab a board member in blue, and ask how you can help!

Send your best 2 or 3 Tarpons group photos to [email protected] to go in our end-of-season slideshow. Link to photos from Meet #2 vs Maplewood: https://bit.ly/2t2wKOy

*Ever wonder why a car with a metal roof and closed doors and windows is where we go during a storm? Here’s the science behind it.

8. Looking ahead – RSVPs needed

Coaches’ Clinic on butterfly and breaststroke (ages 7 & up), Saturday, June 23, 8:30 AM. RSVP on the website.

Meet of Champions (MOC) is the post-season meet for all Tarpons, on Friday, July 6 (you must have swum in two regular-season meets to qualify). Unlike regular-season meets, you will only be entered to compete at MOC if you indicate that you WILL be attending. There are separate MOC meets for younger and older swimmers, so if you have both in your family, be sure to RSVP in both meets. RSVP on the website.

End-of-Season Party will be at the Club on Saturday, July 7. RSVP on the website.

Have a great Father's Day -- see you Monday!  Go Tarpons!