This week we focused quite a bit on the basics. We will be working on technique all season. All 3 groups worked on freestyle and backstroke.

A & B groups also got to work a little bit on breaststroke and butterfly.

C group focused primarily on freestyle and backstroke basics. We worked on slowing down and using the body to do the work. This will be very important as they start working on distance. As I told them, you have to slow down to go fast.

Did you take any pictures this week? Please add them here!

We are still missing a handful of physicals. Remember, while these are not mandatory for our team, it is a good practice to get into now as they are mandatory for high school. They also provide us with physician documentation that your swimmer is physically cleared to swim. This is incredibly important.

You can very easily get this done at any doctors office or urgent care. Here is the link for the high school physical.

A few things to keep in mind:

1. SwimAtlanta's pool is COLD. That drastic change in temperature will cause cramps. Especially in the calves and sides. In order to lessen your swimmers chance of cramping please be sure they are drinking as much water as possible during the day. They should also be drinking water when they get home.
2. Please be sure they are getting a small snack before swim. This needs to include something carb and potassium heavy. A banana, eggs, crackers, a small protein bar, peanut butter (put peanut butter on a banana or on an apple!! PERFECT option!), yogurt, granola. This will boost their energy and will help.
Also have a snack for after they swim. A small snack and more water in the car on the way home is a plus.
3. It is a MYTH that you do not sweat when you workout in the pool. You absolutely sweat as you swim, especially as hard as we will be swimming in the next few weeks. Send your swimmer with a water bottle. Encourage them to have the water bottle ON DECK with them.

Thank you to everyone who has started raising money for our fundraiser! Let's keep up the momentum! Our AMAZING Board Members have put together a GRAND PRIZE BASKET of goodies that will be raffled off to anyone who manages to "FILL THE POOL!" If you have a full board, let us know so we can collect the money from you and get you included in the raffle.

THATS NOT ALL! Any swimmer who raises AT LEAST $300 will have first pick of events for our first meet against Wesleyan! As you know, events are chosen based on TEAM NEEDS. I do try to give everyone at least one event that they want but it is not guaranteed. If you raise $300 for the team, you will be guaranteed the events of your choice.

Regular Practice: Monday 10/5 & Thursday 10/8

Fall Break: Monday 10/12-Friday 10/16
We will practice Monday 10/12 & Thursday 10/15 from 11:30am-1:30pm. These will be optional practices but if you are in town I highly recommend coming as we will be prepping for time trials! We will be focusing on starts and turns.