Wells Branch Armada

We are so glad you decided to join our the Armada. Below you will find some tips that we hope will answer your questions and make it easier for you as you start on this new adventure! BUT, please always feel free to ask questions. There is usually someone around that can help you find an answer and you can also contact any of our Board members. 

The team website has tons of information as we go through the season. Some things to look for:

• HOME PAGE will have weekly newsletters with information on upcoming meets and activities.  Please make sure to review these newsletters thoroughly for parking information, maps, start times, and everything you need to know. 
• WEATHER: If a practice is canceled due to weather, it will be posted on our home page, and once you sign up for alerts, you will receive them on your phone. 
• SCHEDULE tab is where you will find the practice schedule for your child’s/childrens’ age group/s and meet dates. You will also find meet and team events scheduled. TIP: the practice schedule for May moves to mornings after Memorial day due to pool availability. 
• PRACTICE tab is where you will find the practice times for the season as well as what to bring. 
• SWIM MEETS tab is where you will find the schedule for the season. 

HEAT SHEETS for each meet and official meet results are sent out in our newsletters. TIP: Heat Sheets are typically sent 1-2 days before each meet. If you want a copy to look at during the meet, it is simplest to print this out at home. Please be aware changes might be made during the meet but you can get a pretty good idea of your swimmers’ events and schedule this way. Official meet results are usually posted on the website within a day or so but event results are printed and posted as they are confirmed at each meet.

• Read Tips for New Swim Families
  
  
• 2024 Parent Orientation: Whether you are a new or returning parent, please review the Parent Orientation deck to learn what's new this season.
  
• • Practices & team expectations
  • Meet expectations & schedule
  • What’s new from NWSC in 2024
  • Volunteering
  • Fundraising / Sponsorships
  • BBQ Fundraiser | Meet the Coaches Night
  • Be In The Know & Swimtopia for Weather Alerts
  • Board Members / Coaches

PRACTICE TIPS: 

Swimmers should put on their competition-style swimsuit, goggles, and swim cap at least five minutes before practices start. Coaches will call them to warm up on the other side of the pool when their session starts. You should also bring a water bottle and towel. Please put your name on everything you bring to the pool. Kickboards and other practice equipment will be provided by the team. 

Please be sure to check Family Folders. Each family has a folder in one of the file boxes brought to practices. The folders are arranged in alphabetical order by family last name. After each swim meet, any ribbons won by your swimmer/s will be put here so you can pick them up. 

MEET TIPS: 

Meets typically start 7:00-7:30 am and run until 1-2 pm. The website will have the check-in time listed for each swim meet which can be as early as 5:30 or 6:00 am. This is the time that your swimmer/s need to check-in with their respective tent parent. At that time, they will confirm their events and will write them in sharpie on their arm. This makes it easier for the Ready Bench to get all the swimmers lined up for events. Most swimmers will swim 3 individual events and 1-2 relay events.

• Healthy snacks and lots of water to stay hydrated (there are yummy concessions at each Swim Meet but having your own stash is a good idea)
• Money for concessions
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• Swimsuit (swimmers typically come in their suit), goggles and swim cap,
• EXTRA goggles and swim cap, towel
• Activities for the kiddos to do in between events (ideas might include: coloring books, card games or other similar games, simple craft activities, etc…)
• Foldable chairs, blankets, pillows, and quilts for ground coverage.
• Family Canopy (optional) Most swimmers will hang out in their age group tent for a good portion of the meet but you can bring a family canopy to spare yourself from the sun.

• Before the Swim Meet, review the email from the Meet Director a day or two before the meet about all the important facts, like check-in times, maps, parking rules, and more. 
• When you arrive, check-in for your volunteer position at the Volunteer table. This confirms for us that you are here. (We cannot run these meets without parent volunteers. We require each family to volunteer, and ALL help is GREATLY APPRECIATED!)
• At Away Meets, Look for the Armada “tent city” and find the age-level tent you need (signs are posted on each canopy).  At Home meets, the girls tents will be along the side, and the boys tents will be along the back of the pool. 
• Check your swimmer in with your tent parent and get your swimmer(s) settled.
• Set up your own area for the day.
• Swimmers will start warming up about a half hour after check in time.
• Coaches will direct them on what they need to do.
• Meets start with the National Anthem followed by Relays. Follow along with your heat sheet so you can watch your swimmer race and cheer them on!

EXTRA TIP: If you are volunteering when your swimmer is scheduled to race, just let someone in your area know and you can go watch. We want everyone to get to see their swimmers in the water!

We encourage you to download SwimTopia’s mobile app. With this app, we’ll be able to communicate with you through push notifications—which is helpful when we need to get information out quickly, such as rain delays or weather alerts.  Learn more at: https://wellsbranch.swimtopia.com/Swimtopia

• No Tech suits will be allowed this year.
• 11/12's will now swim 50 free and 50 backstroke, and a 100 freestyle has been added to this age group. The breaststroke and butterfly will remain as a 25.
• The season starts at the same time this year but ends on June 30th. This means our Red, White, and Blue practice meet will be held on Saturday, May 11th.