Another long one, sorry.. but LOTS of GOOD stuff so please read ALL :).

First I just wanted to again thank all of you, your families and your swimmers.  Having this great community, all RSVPed show up for a far away meet, stay through a delay and be able to get the swimmers and volunteers needed to come away with a win is a Huge Testament to you all.  

Second, due to weather delays this week, we will not have practice tomorrow, Saturday, as originally planned.  However, we will still be having work days - Saturday 10-1 and Sunday 1-4 and could use help getting blocks in, backstroke flag, deck and garage cleaned up, etc..  So please come out if you can.

Third - PLEASE RSVP and SIGN up to Volunteer TODAY for Tuesday's Home meet.  Note that there are MANY more positions to fill for a Home meet with parking, set up, hospitality (including side items and drinks needed to be donated - not to count as a job sign up-but MUCH needed) and take down, so EVERY family should sign up for AT LEAST 1 job for 1/2 of the meet and if you can do more we would GREATLY appreciate it.  It takes a lot but is also A LOT of FUN to have a home meet - Let's have a GREAT ONE!

Fourth, diagnostics originally scheduled for Monday morning have been changed - so there will be FULL Swim Team practice Monday morning AT Gulf Park.  As a Reminder Gulf Park practice schedule at 528 Pensacola Road, Knoxville, TN 37923 is as follows:

Morning - Monday - Friday

8&under: 8:15am-9:15am (warm ups at 8:15, in water by 8:30)

Ages 9-12: 9:00-10:00am (warm ups at 9:00, in water by 9:15)

13&up: 9:45am-11am (warm ups at 9:45, in water by 10)

Evening - Monday - Thursday
Ages 10 & Under: 7:00pm warmups 7:15-8:15pm in water
Ages 11&Up: 8:00pm warmups 8:15pm-9:00pm 

Finally, I just wanted to send out a few notes about some new programs we have starting up for younger siblings and pro-rated fees available.

1. If you have any friends or family that might be interested in joining swim team - please ask them to try it out.  At this point in the season, we are offering swim team at $70 per swimmer Plus swim-team-only membership family of $130.

2. If you joined swim team as nonmember or haven't paid your gulf park membership yet - Family memberships can now be purchased for the low price of $250 (great savings from the regular $390) to join Gulf Park Pool (swim team nonmember membership already paid can be applied to this cost)

3.  We still have a few spots in our 6 and up shark school classes (4 days a week morning or evening available) and are offering a pro-rated fee for the remainder of the season - for details go here:  https://gulfpark.swimtopia.com/shark-school

4.  We are beginning our small group swim lessons for ages 2 and up next weekend.  We will have weekend lessons - Saturday and Sundays 2-3pm and weekday lessons M/W/F 6:30-7:30.  Senior swimmers or staff interested in working swim lessons, contact me ASAP.  For more information go here: https://gulfpark.swimtopia.com/swim-lessons

5.  Private lessons available.  If you are looking for private lessons for your swimmer or siblings.  We have 2 swim team coaches and 2 swim instructors who are offering private lessons. Their information is below (Contact them directly for availability/cost):

Swim Team Coaches- both are recent college graduates and both were collegiate swimmers and gulf park alums - very experienced.

Courtney Aycock

cell: 865-441-2605

email: [email protected]

Will Arthur

cell: 865-804-1847

email: [email protected]

Swim Team Instructors - both are senior swimmers and have been shark school instructors and swimmers with gulf park and both would be great too...

Harper Houk (flyer he put together attached)

Becca Hemsley

cell: 865-363-4176

email: [email protected]

UPCOMING SWIM TEAM & POOL DATE SUMMARY:

• Tuesday, June 18th AWAY Meet at Jefferson City RSVP and SIGN up to VOLUNTEER and bring in items for Hospitality TODAY!
• Saturday, June 22nd –10am-4pm – Pool work day
• Sunday June 23th 1-4 - work day - same as above
• Monday, June 24th – Gulf Park Swim Team Practices Begin as above
• Tuesday June 25th – FIRST HOME MEET! LUAU Theme – RSVP and sing up to VOLUNTEER TODAY!
• Wednesday June 26th SWIM PRACTICE– Earlier Evening Practice due to Pool Availability and Age Switch– 5-6pm (11 & up), 6-7pm (10 & under)
• Saturday June 29th - Grand reopening party, pool opens at 12, picnic at 1

As always, let me know if you have any questions or need more information.

Jennifer Manrod

Swim Team Director

Gulf Park Blue Sharks