Coach's Corner May 31
Coach’s Corner for May 31
(1) PRACTICES FOR WEEK OF JUNE 1
The weather is finally beginning to warm-up, and soon the water will be warmer, too. There will be a day, not too far in the future, where we are complaining that the water is too warm, so let’s enjoy it. The practice schedule does not change for the next two weeks. Remind your swimmers to bring water bottles to practice. The guards ask me to remind you to return any pool furniture you use during practice. Remember, also, that we share the pool with the community for the next two weeks, so let’s share the space.
(2) LITTLE CUDA ASSESSMENTS
We will continue to offer Little Cuda assessments this week during all practices, from 4:15-7:30pm. I will not be at practice on Tuesday, June 2 (my school’s graduation), but any coach can help with the process.
(3) SUITS AND CAPS
For those who ordered their swim caps and suits, they will be available on deck this week. I don’t have the specific day yet, but our parent volunteers will be stationed under the tent by the diving boards to distribute.
(4) ATTEND/DECLINE PROCESS
Our first meet of the year is next Saturday, June 6 at our pool (more details below).
Before we can swim, we need parents’ help on the attend/decline process:
1 – Log onto your account on the website.
2 – Under “Upcoming Events” click on the PWSL 2026 Meet 1
3 – Find the green button “Meet Entry”
4 – Tell us if your swimmer(s) are available to swim this weekend.
This is due by Wednesday, June 2 at 8pm. This must be done if you want your swimmers to swim this weekend. I have opened the site for ALL meets this season if you want to complete the process for the whole season. The attend/decline step can cause extreme frustration for your wonderful coaches – please help us plan for the meet ahead. I think there is a way to do this on the SwimTopia app but I am very old. Ask parents on deck or one of the younger coaches for help on all things tech. When I started coaching, we showed up with cards written by hand and our starting device was a cap gun….
(5) FRIDAY SPAGHETTI and WALK THROUGH
We will get ready for the first meet with Friday’s pasta dinner. We will serve pasta to swimmers after practices on Friday. Details are on the website. Also, during Friday’s practice, we will have our starter there so kids can get used to the sound of the starting device. We will go through where the Clerk is and the traffic flow. I will meet with any parents who need some clarification on the meet. It can be a lot, especially the first time, but we have millions of people who are willing to help.
(5) VOLUNTEERING UPDATE (SLIDES ATTACHED)
Volunteer Update: Volunteer Policy & Guidelines Swim meets rely entirely on family volunteers.
To keep operations running smoothly, please note the following policies:
•Shift Requirement: Each family must complete 10 shifts per season.
•What Counts: Valid shifts are marked with (1 shift) next to the sign-up.
Note: Party or spaghetti dinner volunteering/donations do not count toward your 10-shift requirement.
Limits: Drink/ice donations and parking monitor slots have seasonal limits (hover over the [i] info button for details).
•Penalty Fee: Unfulfilled shifts will incur a $25 fee per shift, which must be paid before registering for next season.
Current Openings & Deadlines
•Now Open: All sign-ups for meets and parking lot monitors through June are officially live.
•Job Details: Click the [i] info button next to any position to view the job description.
•Changes & Cancellations: You can modify your choices online until the Thursday before each meet. After Thursday, text all changes directly to Shala (Volunteer Coordinator) at 703-868-4879
(6) DALE CITY MEET
This Saturday, we welcome our friends from down the street – the Dale City Frogs. Here is the timeline.
Friday, June 5 – We will allow tent set-up after 8pm outside the pool grounds.
Saturday, June 6. RWB Swimmers Check-In (off deck – no swimmers on deck before 6am) -5:25-5:55am. We ask all swimmers to HIGHLIGHT their names when they arrive. There is an app – SwimTopia – which will have your swimmers’ event numbers on them. I will publish the meet sheet with event numbers, heats and lanes on the website late Thursday.
Visit our website “Meet & Events” for everything you need to know about meets, including parking, food, and meet specifics.
RWB Swimmer Warm-Up: 6-6:25
DCST Warm-Up: 6:25-6:50 (RWB off deck)
RWB Relay Organization and Cheers: 6:50
Meet Starts at 7
Meet Ends at Noon (not a promise)
(7) MEET EXPECTATIONS
During the meet, please listen for the announcements for swimmers to report to the Clerk of Course. Swimmers, when they check in, will have the opportunity to write their event numbers on their arms in Sharpie. We expect swimmers to report to the Clerk on time. Coaches will NOT look for swimmers. The first events are relays, and those, too, will be posted. We expect all swimmers to be where they need to be on time.
(8) COACH JOEY
Coach Joey Mitolo is a RWB legend. He coached with me for many years and swam for me his whole career. He is one of the most compassionate and dedicated young people whom I have ever met. This Spring, he was offered the head coaching position at Dale City. He accepted the position. He will do amazing things there, like he has done here. While we certainly miss him, the Frogs are lucky to have him. Let’s welcome him back home with love.
Busy week ahead. I know that some of your kiddos are worried about their first meet. We can all work together to start the season off right.
Please ask questions.
Coach John
