Hello CB Swim Families! 

The season is finally here! While we loved seeing our swimmers getting stronger on land, we're all excited to be back in the water with the sweet perfume of chlorine again! :) 

Here's an overview of the week ahead: 

This week, we will kick off our first week of in-water practice with swimmer evaluations on Monday evening. This is for swimmers who are new to the team or for those who would like the opportunity to "swim up" with a more advanced group for select practices (Bluff swimmers wishing to swim with the Bears team). If you are new, please enter through the YMCA main entrance and sign in at the desk. The swimmers can proceed to the locker rooms and onto the pool deck. Parents can wait in the glass waiting room outside the pool or in their cars. The YMCA has requested that all swimmers exit each practice through the glass doors in the pool area, rather than changing into dry clothes, so you can meet them or pick them up there after practice. 

Please note that these "tryouts" are designed to help us identify areas that we need to emphasize with our swimmers this season, rather than an elimination-type tryout. We'll be looking for times and abilities in all strokes as well as endurance. These evaluations will help us build on the strengths your swimmer already possesses to help them meet their season goals.

Speaking of goals, all students should have now been added to a CB Swim Canvas Course. In there, they will find the first "assignment" for the team. This is a Goals Quiz for them. As we've told them, it's hard to reach our destination when you don't even know what it is... so we want them to think and verbalize these goals so both coaches and swimmers understand what we are trying to achieve this season. Whether that involves mastering a flip turn in competition, shaving time off a difficult stroke, or achieving a state time, these goals will be varied and personal. One of the things I love most about swimming is that every practice and every meet is an opportunity to improve. 

Tuesday will kick off practices for ALL swimmers with the first of our 23 (but who's counting) early morning trips to the YMCA! If swimmers would like to ride the bus, we plan to depart at 5:35 AM from the CBHS Student Parking lot; please ensure they are there by then. 

For our split practices on Wednesday, we will stick to our traditional grade levels with our HS swimmers (grades 9-12) swimming from 5 - 6:30 PM and our MS swimmers (grades 6 - 8) from 6:30 - 7:30 PM. We will split into our Bluff and Bears groups in the following weeks, after having a chance to thoroughly review practices and evaluation data to ensure that we have the right personnel at each practice to help your swimmer meet their goals. 

On Thursday, we will resume morning practice to complete the week for all swimmers. 

lease note that we will not have practice on Monday or Tuesday next week due to Fall Break and will resume practice on Wednesday, October 15th - just ten days ahead of our first meet. 

If you have any questions about practices, dues, or other matters, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] or (770) 503-6514. 

Look forward to seeing everyone at the pool and GO BEARS! 

Coach Goodwin