Welcome to the 2026 Swim Season

April 15th

Hello Harrington Falls Swim Families,

Welcome to the 2026 Harrington Falls Swim Season!

My name is Nicole Brien, and I am honored to serve as your Team Parent again this year. This will be my 6th year in this role, and I’m so excited for another fun and successful season.

For those I haven’t had the chance to meet yet, I look forward to getting to know you and your family. My husband and I have two swimmers: Camp, who is a rising 9th grader at Milton High School, and Clara, who is a rising 6th grader at Northwestern Middle School. We have been part of summer swim since Camp was 4 years old, and it has truly been one of the most rewarding experiences for our family.

I am also a registered nurse and work Mondays and Fridays at 12Stone Infusion Center in Cumming.

I love swim team and everything it teaches children. There is truly no other sport like it. Swimming builds discipline, endurance, confidence, and resilience while teaching a life skill that matters for a lifetime. It challenges even the strongest athletes and helps children grow both in and out of the pool.

Please know that I am very approachable, accessible, and always happy to help. Whether you have questions, concerns, scheduling issues, or just need guidance throughout the season, don’t hesitate to reach out. With 99 families and 99 different schedules, communication is key, and I’ll do my best to keep everyone informed and organized all season long.

Please reach out sooner rather than later with any concerns. There are often things I can help resolve in May that become much harder to adjust by mid-June. My goal is for this to be a positive and memorable experience for every family.

COACHING STAFF – 2026

Head Coach:
Bria Blount

Assistant Coaches:
Caroline Young
Rose Hoffman
Audrey Yates
Camp Brien
Isla Bell
Taylor Gorman

Junior Coaches:
Avery Melton
Carter Smith
Emma Ghea
Parker Yates
Gia Morceri
MG Weathers

MANDATORY MEET & GREET

Sunday, April 26, 2026
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Harrington Falls Clubhouse

Attendance is required for one parent from each family.

Parking Information:
The clubhouse parking lot is small. Per fire code, parking is only allowed on the left-hand side of the street (tennis court side), with vehicles facing as if they were exiting the neighborhood.

SUITS & MERCHANDISE

Reddiset will be onsite for suit fittings during the Meet & Greet.

Important Notes:
• The Meet and Greet is the last day to order team suits.
• Suits must be purchased through the Team Store on our website.
• Additional and optional merchandise such as hats, water bottles, and sweatshirts are also available online.
• Swim team suits fit snugly and differently than regular swimsuits.
• Swimmers will need goggles (nothing fancy required).
• Kickboards are provided by the team.

If your swimmer has outgrown old gear, please use our Facebook/Instagram 2026 Buy/Sell/Trade page.

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

This year we are trying a new system.

We know that you ranked your preferred volunteer committees during registration. After discussing with our two volunteer coordinators, Kristen Bell and Sarah Ann Denney, we have decided not to assign committees this year.

Instead, we’d like to give parents the opportunity to try different areas of volunteering throughout the season. One meet you may want to be a deck timer, and the next meet you may prefer to work concessions. Or, you may already know that you enjoy being a parking attendant and would like to stick with that—and that’s perfectly fine too.

This is a new approach for our team, but we are excited to try something different in hopes of easing some of the anxiety that can come with volunteering.

Examples:
• Deck Timer
• Concessions
• Parking Attendant
• Other meet support roles

ALL Volunteer Sign-Ups Open:
May 1st at 6:00 AM

Where to Sign Up:

Go to the SignUp Calendar tab on our website to view the signup calendar for all 5 swim meets.
Click the green “Job” link to register for your volunteer shifts.
Meet RSVPs (shown in red) will open closer to each meet date.

Requirements:

Each family must complete 5 volunteer shifts.
• Maximum of 2 shifts per event.
• Older siblings must be age 13+ to volunteer.

Shift Opportunities Include:
• Time Trials (5/26)
• 5 Swim Meets
• ASA Championships at Georgia Tech
• End-of-Season Banquet
• Night Practices

NIGHT PRACTICES

Night practices opened today and filled fast!

If you were unable to secure a needed spot, please reach out to me. I am reviewing how many additional spaces may be needed and on which days.

Please note:
New swimmers in the 6 & Under and 7/8 groups must complete evaluations first. If your swimmer requires Coach Support Practice (CSP), they cannot attend night practice until approved.

SWIMMER EVALUATIONS & COACH SUPPORT PRACTICE (CSP)

Required for:
• 6 & Under swimmers
• 7/8 swimmers

Evaluations will take place during the first two days of practice. Swimmers must attend their regular age-group practice both days.

After evaluations, families will receive recommendations regarding CSP placement before practices officially begin on Wednesday, May 13.

CSP is designed to help swimmers strengthen technique, develop strokes, and build readiness for regular team practice.

Please note:
CSP is not a substitute for swim lessons. If your swimmer needs additional lessons, we strongly encourage completing those before practices begin.

For safety reasons, coaches and the Team Parent reserve the right to determine whether a swimmer is ready for the team.

If a swimmer is determined not yet ready for swim team, I will work directly with the family regarding a refund.

IMPORTANT 2026 RULE UPDATES

Swimmers must be 4 years old by 5/31/26 to register.
• Swimmers must be able to swim the length of the pool unattended to compete in meets. No exceptions.
• Coaches may not enter the pool during meets to assist swimmers.
• CSP swimmers who cannot swim the pool length are not eligible to compete.
• Families are still responsible for completing 5 volunteer shifts regardless of meet participation.

REGISTRATION CLOSING

Registration closes at the Meet & Greet on April 27th.

We especially need more boys ages 10 and up, so invite your friends to join!

Swim team is the COOL place to be on HOT summer days—and there is nothing more fun than a Thursday night swim meet.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

May Evening Practice:
May 11–15
May 18–20

5:00–5:30 PM = CSP
5:30–6:00 PM = 6 & Under
6:00–6:30 PM = 7/8
6:30–7:00 PM = 9/10
7:00–7:30 PM = 11 & Up

No practice on May 21 or May 22.

Summer Morning Practice Begins:
May 26 through June 23
Monday–Thursday weekly

8:00–8:30 AM = CSP
8:30–9:00 AM = 6 & Under
9:15–10:00 AM = 7/8
10:15–11:00 AM = 9/10
11:15 AM–12:00 PM = 11 & Up

TIME TRIALS

Instead of a mock meet this year, we will hold Time Trials during the first summer morning practice on May 26 so swimmers can establish seed times before the first meet.

Volunteer opportunities will be available for timers.