Sharks! It's time (or yes, slightly passed time – but delivered as soon as possible 😊) for the annual "everything you need in one giant post." This message was the last ‘large distribution’ email we will send (including last two seasons of sharks). Future communication will go to 2019 season swimmers/families only but updates will also be posted in this news section of the website. 

As you know this spring so far has been full of uncertainty. The Gulf Park Recreation Association (GPRA) board has been meeting every other week in the last month or so via Zoom as we get closer and closer to summer swim season. GPRA and Gulf Park Blue Sharks will continue to follow the guidance of our medical experts, our federal, state and local governments, and the best interests of our swimmers, coaches and volunteers.

As of now GKAISA has stated, cautiously, that the swim season start date is unchanged. We do not know what the future holds but will continue to monitor the situation. With that in mind, we are hopeful that we can begin practice and participation in meets at the end of May. We will, however, continue to update you as we receive additional information.

WEB SITE https://gulfpark.swimtopia.com. All summer long you will be able to mark attendance at meets, choose meet jobs, and get news. Email communication will come from this site. Make sure to download and checkout the Swimtopia App as well for schedule and meet information on your phone.

SOCIAL MEDIA

This year we are going to do our best to communicate in multiple, convenient ways. Through Facebook: www.facebook.com/GPBlueSharks Twitter: @GPBlueSharks and Instagram (coming soon). If you would like to help us with incorporating these communication methods please let me know ASAP. Just note – you will always need to RSVP for meets/job from the swimtopia website.

SWIM TEAM FEES
1st swimmer $105, 2nd swimmer $95, 3rd swimmer $85, 4th swimmer and beyond $60
**If you are not a member of the Gulf Park Pool, there is an additional $130 non-member fee per family.

If you do plan to join the pool, here are those rates. I'm happy to collect that from you and give to the pool, if desired.
New Family Membership $290 (special intro rate)

Early Bird Membership $350 – will be honored until opening day (anticipated to be Memorial day, Monday, May 25^th)
Family Membership $390
Two Person Pack $290
Individual Membership $200
(Or that $130 swim team only fee mentioned above)
*For more information about Gulf Park Recreation Association visithttp://gulfparkrecreation.org/become-a-member/

SWIM TEAM REGISTRATION
Registration is open for swim team! Click the green "Register Now" button on our site https://gulfpark.swimtopia.com/registerto get started. Choose ‘Swim Team Registration’.

Steps:
1. Personal Information
The first screen collects basic information and has the 3 forms required by our league: the GKAISA form, Concussion form, and Cardiac Arrest form. You don't have to sign any physical paper, just read those forms and check the box.

2 Medical
Fill out the medical information. If you don't have your insurance card handy, put a note in those boxes and then return to your account later to finish that info.

3. Volunteer Commitment
This is your chance to snag the meet jobs that you prefer! You can also skip this and return to it later. (Please ignore the times on the shifts – 1^st half goes from 5:30 (or earlier depending on job) to event 35, 2^nd half goes from event 36 to 70 (or later depending on job). Please sign up for volunteer jobs at least one week prior to meet. There are also options to click on committee and board positions if you are interested.

4. Merchandise - As always, orders are OPTIONAL. In celebration of our very strong community and fortitude THE FORCE IS STRONG collection is available for 2020. We have toddler shirts AND a fun Baby Yoda design! We also have the historically popular tank and sports t-shirt and new this year – sweat pants to match your hoody 😊. Merchandise orders are completely optional – prices and general information as well as links to pdf files with larger, easier to see images is on our ‘Shop’ tab of the website and within the registration form- click "more info" on each one to see fabric type and sizing. Orders placed by May 25^th will be here in time for our Blue & White Meet. A second order will be placed on June 6 and will be back around June 20. Samples of the shirts will be at our registration event and kickoff party coinciding with the Memorial Day celebration. This is also the place to purchase PANCAKE tickets -or- just pay a fundraiser fee and don't buy or sell anything.

5. Payment - You can pay now using WePay as the processor (and you cover their fees) or by check or card at our registration event/kickoff party, or first practice. In addition, you can pay online via paypal with no additional fees - just contact Jennifer at [email protected]to request a paypal invoice. You may also mail a check (please put ‘swim team’ in the memo) to:

Gulf Park Recreation Association

10027 Double Tree Road

Knoxville, TN 37932

NOTE: Checks must be made out to GPRA

REGISTRATION EVENT, SWIM TEAM 101 and KICKOFF PARTY

• Monday, May 25^th (Memorial Day)
  • Stop by and drop off payment or ask questions!
  • Pool opening day – stay tuned for specific start times, non member entry fee to swim is $5 per person
  • 1pm at the pool - Swim Team 101 for new parents, Payment drop off for returning
  • 3pm – at the pool - Swim Team Kickoff Party

SWIM SUIT AND CAP
You'll get a free swim cap from us when the season starts. Due to last year's suit begin discontinued, we have a new swim suit design this year - I have been guaranteed this will be a 2 year suit. You can buy the team swim suit at http://swimandtri.com - click "Team Portal" on the left navigation and enter "sharks" to see ours. You'll see the Carbonics (girls/brief/jammer) suit there for the team and the Brandon Jolyn for the senior girls suit.

FUNDRAISERS

– AUBREY’S BREAKFAST
Our favorite fundraiser is BACK! We are having our Aubrey's pancake breakfast on Saturday June 13^th 8-10am. This is a super fun event, our swimmers age 12&up are the servers and a few adults help out behind the counter. we ask that every family buy 4 pancake tickets at $5 each - you can either use them for yourself or sell them to someone else. Buying/selling more is great!

– GET IT TO GO

Our dine outs were a great help in getting some Pre-season items purchased. Stay tuned for some TO GO opportunities to help support Gulf Park Blue Sharks

SPONSORSHIP INCENTIVE!
There is no one more convincing than a SHARK, so we thought YOU could bring in some sponsors! Attached is the sponsorship sheet. If your family brings in a new Silver sponsor or higher ($250 and up), that will cover one of your swimmer's fees for this summer! Plus the team and pool will get the remainder for improvements and parties, and the sponsor will reach a great new audience of families... it's a win-win-win! Let Jennifer know at [email protected] if you have a sponsor to sign up or have questions.

COACHING
As noted in our previous email, we are excited that Ben Whiteside will be the Head Coach of Gulf Park Blue Sharks. Stay tuned as we finalize staffing and introduce our complete coaching staff soon! If any senior swimmers are interested in working with shark school or swim lessons, or if you know of someone that would be great as a lead instructor for shark school or swim lessons please complete the application(s) available on our website – or email me at [email protected]

CANCELLATIONS AND TEXT ALERT SYSTEM
We swim in the rain! However, thunder and lightning can cause a delay if at, so a stormy day could cancel practice of delay a meet. If practices cancel, we'll notify you via text and Facebook. Assume the meet/practice is ON until official word is sent.

Subscribe to text alerts (note – new this year – RainedOut is charging a $7.30 annual fee to subscribers for text alert – you will have to opt in to that charge/service) – note that facebook and email messages remain free of charge : Text GPSHARKS to 84483 Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/GPBlueSharks

PROJECTED PRACTICE SCHEDULE - Schedule is subject to change depending on group sizes and recommendations as noted above!

Beginning Tuesday - May 26th at Gulf Park 528 Pensacola Road, Knoxville, TN 37923

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 7:15-8:00pm in water

Ages 11&Up: 7:45pm warmups 8:00pm-9:00pm in water

SEASON SCHEDULE (all of the following subject to change based on recommendations)

Wed May 20 – 6-8pm Meet and Greet your coaches,

Once confirmed – probable GKAISA officials clinic at the pool – 6pm

Monday May 25^th – Swim Team 101, and Swim Team Kick Off 1-5 – 1^st Merchandise order due – see

above for specifics

Tues May 26^th – FIRST SWIM PRACTICE – FULL SCHEDULE

Thurs June 4 - Blue and White Meet - Warm ups at 5:00

Thurs June 11^th – Holston Hills (Home) – Warm ups at 5:00

Sat June 13th - AUBREYS PANCAKE BREAKFAST 8am-10am

Thurs June 18th - NFC (Home) - Warm ups at 5:00

Tues June 23^rd – Concord Hills (Away) – Warm-ups at 5:30

Tues July 7th - Fox Den (Away) - Warm - ups at 5:30

Sat-Sun July 11-12– Smoky Meet @ Springbrook park in Alcoa

WED July 15th - Gettysvue (Away) - Warm-ups at 5:30

Tues July 21^st – Last night practice

Wed July 22^nd – Last morning practice

Wed July 22^nd – Poster and Pasta/Pizza night

*THUR July 23^rd (10 and under beginning in afternoon), Fri July 24^th (11 and up beginning in am), Sat July 25^th (finals beginning in am)– City Meet @ AJAC (UT)

Sun Jul 26^th – End of season party

WHEW! Spring is in the air – Summer is on its way, bright days together coming soon! Go Sharks!

Thanks,

Jennifer Manrod

Swim Team Director

Gulf Park Blue Sharks