Wells Branch Armada

Get ready, Armada families! We are so excited to kick off another amazing summer of swimming. Check out this week's updates to stay in the loop.

by Manuel Leos Rivas

Welcome to a brand new season! We hope this summer is full of fun memories for you and your swimmers. Whether you are new or returning, we are so glad you are part of the Armada family.

A huge thank you goes to our head coaches and board members. They have been working hard for months to get everything ready. They have been busy hiring staff, talking with the swim circuit, and working with the Wells Branch MUD to make this season possible.

We also want to thank the families who have already signed up to volunteer. We truly cannot do this without you!

The first few weeks of practice can feel a bit busy and fast-paced, but do not worry. We will all find our rhythm soon. If you have questions for the coaches, you can leave a note in the file boxes at the pool or email  coach Maddie. During practice, coaches need to focus on the kids in the water, but they will get back to you as soon as they can.

Registration is still open, but there are only a few spots left! The registration will officially close on May 4th.

We want to send a big thank you to all the families who joined us for the meet/coaches meeting! It was great to connect, share important information for the season, and walk through the presentation for our new families. We hope it helped everyone feel more prepared and confident as we kick things off. And of course, it was a bonus getting to enjoy some pizza together while catching up, always a great way to start the season!

Get to know your board of directors.

Let's make this a summer to remember!

Armada swimmers and families, we are so excited that the season has finally arrived!

A few things to keep in mind as we kick off the start of our season.

• The first week will appear very chaotic…this is normal. We will spend a lot of time getting the swimmers into a lane that best fits them according to their abilities.
• May is a very busy time, and the coaches totally understand that many of you have other commitments during the week. Three practices a week are recommended, but please feel free to speak with any of us if you are concerned about this.
• Please make sure your swimmer has appropriate swimwear for the first few weeks. You can review our parent orientation deck if you need a refresher on what can be worn.
• Bring water, sunblock, towels, and a well-fitting pair of goggles.
• Please remember that many swimmers haven't been in the pool for several months. It will take them a while to regain technique and stamina. Be positive and encouraging

This week at practice, we will be getting back into the swing of things with streamline, freestyle, and backstroke techniques, as well as a review of butterfly and breaststroke for our more experienced swimmers. We will introduce and practice diving as well. We will learn names of our new swimmers and determine swimming ability in the first week too.

The 6 and under swimmers will spend a lot of time sitting on the side of the pool while the coaches work one-on-one with them. If it is chilly, they can have a towel wrapped around them. Please don't read too much into the lane assignments. We will be grouping the swimmers so we can work with them most effectively. They may be changing lanes throughout the season.

We are happy to answer questions and address any concerns you have. It would be best to speak with one of us before or after practice, through email or a written note in the coach’s folder, right next to the family file boxes. This will help us focus on keeping eyes and attention on all our swimmers, as safety is our first priority.

We look forward to seeing you all at the pool,

- Your Head Coaches, Gina, Maddie & Jake

by DJ Loberg, Meet Director

It is time to sign up for our Red, White & Blue Practice Meet on 5/5/26. This is a practice run to help everyone see how a real meet works before our first big competition.

The registration opens Tuesday, April 28th, at noon.

Register your swimmers and choose your volunteer job at https://wellsbranch.swimtopia.com/. You should register your swimmers' events and also your volunteer job choice.

A few things to know:

• This meet helps swimmers get their starting times. This makes sure they are placed in the right heats for future meets.

• ALL swimmers can join in! Even our smallest swimmers who are still learning can participate. For this meet only, coaches can stay in the water, and kids can use kickboards. If your child is a non-swimmer, sign them up for the 25 Freestyle.

• We suggest kids sign up for all four strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly) if they can swim them legally. If you are not sure, ask a coach!

There will be no medley relays or long distance events for this specific practice.

Meet Times (Subject to change):

• Arrival: 5:00 p.m.
• Warm-Ups: 5:30 p.m.
• Meet Start: 6:00 p.m.

Come hungry! During the RWB practice meet, our concession stand will be open and serving food for purchase. We’d love for families to stick around, grab dinner, and enjoy the evening together while cheering on the swimmers. It’s a great chance to relax, connect, and support the team all at once!

by Juli Thatcher, Volunteer Coordinator

Our swim meets wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our Armada families. Every role—from timers and judges to pit parents, concessions helpers, and setup crew—is essential to making each event a success. Your energy and commitment help create a fun, safe, and well-organized experience for our swimmers.

🏊 Volunteering is required for all families.

Each meet relies on 90–100 volunteers, and we ask every family to sign up for at least one shift per meet your swimmer participates in. With a wide variety of jobs available, there’s a role for everyone—whether you prefer being poolside or behind the scenes.

💬 Not sure which role to pick?

No problem! I’m here to help. If you have questions or want help finding the right fit, don’t hesitate to reach out. I want you to feel confident and excited about your volunteer experience.

🙌 Let’s work together to make this an unforgettable season for our swimmers—your support truly makes a splash!

📱 Need help? Feel free to email Juli Thatcher if you have any questions.

by Katie Nafius

Thank you for supporting our recent spirit nights at Red Robin and Sonic! It was great to see everyone there. 

Our next Spirit Night will be on Monday, May 11th at P. Terry's (Parmer/Mopac). We hope to see you there!

Buy a yard sign to show your Armada spirit to everyone in the neighborhood! Only $15 each. Will be distributed in the first weeks of practice. 

Swim-a-Thon will be held June 2 with fundraising efforts kicking off May 19. If you're interested in helping to plan the event, please email Katie at [email protected].