Hello 2025 Hammerheads!

March 24th

Excited for the upcoming season? Me too! We've got an awesome lineup of events planned, including team-building sessions, meets, Fun Fridays, and even a trip to GaTech Aquatic Center. Plus, we've got an amazing coaching team lined up.

As a heads up, I'll be your go-to for timely updates. With over 80 families on board, I'll ensure you have all the info you need to navigate the season smoothly. Stay tuned for a Google Calendar link with all practice, meet, and event details.

Coaches: I am happy to announce our coaching staff for 2025

Head Coach: Bria Blount
Assistant Coaches: Caroline Young, Rose Hoffman, Audrey Yates, Leila Kader
Per Diem Coaches: Zach Moir, Gabby Beckman
Junior Coaches: Isla Bell, Camp Brien, JR Canouse, Taylor Gorman, and Avery Melton

Meet and Greet: Mark your calendars for April 27th, 2–4pm, on the Harrington Falls Pool Deck. Please Enter through the side gates. We will NOT be using the clubhouse, it is booked for a Girl Scout meeting. One parent from each family is required to attend.

Swimmer Evaluation & Coach Support Practice (CSP) Information for 6 & Under, 7/8 Age Groups:

Evaluation Requirement: All swimmers in the 6 & Under and 7/8 age groups must undergo an evaluation.
Safety is Our Top Priority: Safety is our foremost concern. While we understand that some swimmers may need additional support in building their skills and strength, it is crucial to emphasize that Coach Support Practice (CSP) is not a substitute for swim lessons.
Lesson Reminder: If you believe your swimmer requires additional lessons before swim team practices begin, we strongly encourage you to seek those lessons prior to the start of practices. We have 7 weeks till practice starts!
Evaluation Schedule: Evaluations will take place during the first 2 days of practice. Swimmers are required to attend their regular age group practice time on both days to be evaluated.
CSP Recommendations: Following the evaluations, we will email recommendations for swimmers to participate in Coach Support Practice (CSP) before practices officially begin on Wednesday, May 14.
CSP Details: During CSP, a coach will be in each lane working closely with swimmers to refine their swim technique and develop fundamental strokes. The ultimate goal of CSP is to ensure swimmers are ready to graduate and train in their designated age group’s practice.
Team Parent and Coach Discretion: It is important to note that both coaches and the team parent reserve the right to determine whether a swimmer is ready for the swim team. This is based on a commitment to safety, and any swimmer deemed not ready for swim team will not be permitted to participate. According to HOA guidelines, a swimmer who is at risk could potentially compromise the safety of the entire team. We cannot and will not take this risk.
- In the event that a swimmer is deemed not ready for the swim team, the team parent will work with you to arrange a refund.
Beginner Freestyle Stroke Focus: For those new to swim team, we will focus on all 4 basic swim strokes. For Freestyle the following essential components must be present to ensure safety and technique:
- Streamlined body position to reduce drag and maintain forward momentum
- Alternating arm movements with a high elbow catch for effective propulsion
- Flutter kick for steady movement and balance
- Face in the water with the head brought up to breathe (preferably side to side), not lifting the head too high, to maintain proper stroke rhythm and form.

We take safety and proper preparation seriously, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together to ensure a successful and safe swimming experience for all swimmers.

Closing Registration: Encourage friends to register before April 16th to avoid late fees. Registration closes at the Meet and Greet on April 27th. We need more boys, especially 10 and up! If you have friends invite them to swim with us, it's the COOL place to be on HOT Summer days and there is nothing more FUN than a Thursday night Swim Meet!

Volunteer Sign-ups: Mid- April, expect an email assigning you to a volunteer committee and shifts for the season.

Website: Check out our website for tons of info. Download the corresponding app for easy access.

Team Suit: Find details on our website. Remember, swim team suits fit snugly, they are not like regular suits. You can try them on at Swim Atlanta Johns Creek and order from our website. You’ll need goggles, however nothing fancy is required. Kick boards are provided by the team. If your swimmer has outgrown their old suit, please post on our Facebook and Instagram 2025 Buy Sale Trade Post.

Sponsorship: We are seeking sponsors for the 2025 season. Funds support various team expenses. Interested? Contact Tara Casey (404) 918-7186 or Aron Canouse (404) 434-1583 or Esther Clark (770) 633-5938 Sponsorship funds cover coaching salaries, maintenance of swim team equipment, supplies for swim team events, and printing t-shirts that all swimmers wear at swim meets. Sponsors will receive signage recognition, as well as, public address announcements throughout the meet. Link to Sponsorship Levels

May Evening Practices:

May practices starting Monday, May 12. Practices are 30 minutes and are held Monday–Fridays during May evenings, May 12–May 20. Age groups are based on a May 31st Birthday. For example, my son’s birthday is 2/27/12, he turned 13 before 5/31/25 so he will swim in the 13/14 Boys Age Group. However, my daughter’s birthday is 6/20/2014. She will still be 10 on 5/31/25 so she will swim in the 9/10 age group even though she will turn 11 during the swim season. Please Note: the slight change in practice times, we had to take into account our Junior Coaches do not get out of school till 4:05pm and are needed for the younger age group practices.

4:30– 5:00p = Coach-supported practice (begins Wednesday May 14)
5:00–5:30p = 6 & under
5:30–6:00p = 7 & 8
6:30–7:00p = 9 & 10
7:00–7:30p = 11 & up

Summer Morning Practices:

The summer morning practices start Tuesday, May 27. CSP and 6 & Under Practices are 30 minutes and ALL Other Age Groups are 45 minutes long and are held Monday-Thursdays May 27 - June 24.

8:00–8:30a = Coach-supported practice
8:30–9:00a = 6 & under
9:15–10:00a = 7 & 8
10:15–11:00a = 9 & 10
11:15a–12:00p = 11 & up

It is not required for you to be at every practice. We understand families have camps and vacations. However, the more swimmers at practice, the stronger our team is.

Summer Night Practice:

To accommodate working parents and camp schedules, we will have night practices available starting May 28. Night practice will be held Monday and Wednesday nights from 5:30–6:15 pm, night practice is available for all age groups except for the coach support group. Evening practice is limited to 24 spaces. A sign up for night practice will open Mid-April. The team will use 3 lanes (60% of the pool) for night practice and 2 lanes (40% of the pool) will be open to Harrington Falls members.

Fun Friday Free Swim:

On Friday mornings following swim meets, we have a team wide free swim day, 9:00–10:30 am. We will have donuts and themed celebrations, giving awards to swimmers from the previous swim meet.

Swim Meet Schedule:

All swim meets are hosted at the Harrington Falls Clubhouse pool or at our opponents' pool (in the Northwest Atlanta district). For Home meets, plan to arrive at 3:30pm, and Away meets, at 4:00pm. Your swimmer will see the best results if they are at most practices and meets, but we do not penalize swimmers for missing a meet.

**The Atlanta Swim Association will finalize our swim meet locations mid-April.