Welcome back, Marlins!

We are ready to start another year of the Bay Ridge Marlins Swim Team! To all of our new families, welcome. To our returning families, welcome back. It is has been a long year, and I am ready for some swimming! This email contains important information, so please read carefully.

Coaches: We are still currently looking for a "full time" assistant coach for this summer.  If you know of someone who is 19+ and has swimming/coaching experience, please send me an email.  Our coaching staff this year (so far): Kelsey Cashman, Trey Gendell, Delaney Gendell, Kylie Sands, Lily Baxter, Katelyn Hiller, and Maggie Jaeger.  

Meets:  Please see the Swimtopia site for the schedule. Registration for meets is now OPEN. Go to “Schedules” on the toolbar, select calendar, and you should be able to RSVP for our 5 regular season meets. The expectation is that you RSVP the Monday before a meet. The league is strict about meet entries, and it is up to the opposing team if they will allow a swimmer to be entered after a certain time frame. Thank you for your assistance and timeliness.

Swim test - 6 & unders: All 6 & under swimmers must pass the swim test by June 2nd (however, sooner is always better). The swim test is given by the lifeguards at the pool, not the coaches. No exceptions. All swim team members must be able to pass to be on the swim team, but this is critical for our younger swimmers. Be aware that the pool is ALWAYS cold for the first few weeks, and I know this can impact whether or not some of our youngest swimmers are willing to get in the pool. However, we are a swim team, not swim lessons. It is the expectation that your child can make it across the pool without assistance from an adult. We have this requirement in place to protect your children as well as the coaching staff and the lifeguarding staff. While the swim team is fun and exciting, I don’t want your children to be frightened of the water. I encourage you to positively encourage them. If they need to wait a year, that is ABSOLUTELY OK.

Practices:  Thankfully, the practice schedule is far easier than last year!  I know there are two practices when AACPS is still in school, but I think this will be the easiest way to schedule.  The first few practices of the season are often chaotic and challenging.  Please give the coaches space on the deck, and do not approach us while practices are going on. Your children need a swimsuit, towel, and goggles.  Caps are not required but are often preferred by kids!

Practice schedule:

• May 30th-June 9th (practices in afternoon are only Monday through Thursday): 4:15pm-5pm (11&up), 5-5:45 (8-10), 5:45-6:30 (7&under)
• June 12th until end of season:  7-8am (10&up), 8-8:45am (9&under)

Please email me with questions or concerns ([email protected]). You can also reach out to Erin Jaeger ([email protected]) or Elizabeth Karamian ([email protected]). I am looking forward to a great year of fun, tacos in a bag, donuts, and (hopefully) a little bit of swimming. Thank you!

Sincerely, 

Megan Reiter