This is a long one.... meet details and more!

June 30th

Hello Hammerheads,

It's hard to believe we're already halfway through the season! I've truly enjoyed watching all our swimmers grow, learn, and develop friendships with their teammates.

Coaches' Gifts

As the season nears its end, we have a wonderful opportunity to show our appreciation for our incredible coaches. They are exceptional role models for our children and have a significant impact on their success in summer swim, working so hard every day. It's our turn to thank them for their dedication and commitment to our children and the team. I'll be collecting contributions for coaches' gifts over the next couple of weeks. You can bring cash to the pool and give it to me, or send your contribution via Venmo (@skye-durrer, phone number 434-953-8353). If using Venmo, please add a note indicating it's for the coaches. Thank you in advance for supporting the coaches who do so much for all our children.

July 4th Hammerhead Invasion

We still need donations and volunteers!

We are taking over the fun at the Hollymead pool on July 4th! And we need your help. Join us for a fun-filled day at the Hollymead Pool featuring games, food, and lots of community spirit. This is not only a great way to celebrate Independence Day, but also an important fundraising opportunity for our team.

Please sign up through SwimTopia under Meets & Events. We would love to have you all be part of the fun. Swim team members and families are welcome to enjoy the pool and festiviies!

Team Photo

We will be taking our annual team photo on Thursday July 2 at 945am . Please wear your team suit

MEET INFORMATION

When & Where

Wednesday July 1, 2026 At Hollymead Pool!

4:15pm: Arrive, Park, Check In

Hollymead Swimmers Check In with Coaches. Coaches will be located at a table outside the Handicap gate at the pool and will be letting swimmers know of their warmup lane assignments.
Volunteer Check In with Skye Durrer (my number is 434-953-8353, just in case). I will be near the back entrance to pool at the corner table by the blocks and lane 1.

6:00pm: Meet Begins

Parking: See attached map.

Where to park: On S Hollymead Dr on the same side of the pool (please try to park perpendicular to the road so we can fit as many cars in as possible), on Hollymead Dr (outside of the townhouse community) and Insurance Lane, on Maiden Lane or at Peace Lutheran Church.
Where NOT to park: Our parking lot (reserved for away team), in the circle of Hollymead House Bed & Breakfast, in the Hollymead townhouse community (Somer Chase Ct), at RiverStone Church, on S Hollymead Dr on the opposite side of the pool.

Updated Order of Events
To help save time and finish the meet earlier, we will be combining 25 meter events for our youngest swimmers. Unfortunately, we cannot edit the heatsheet to reflect these changes, so please see below for the updated order of events.

First Half 25m Events (after 15-18 IM, #11)
#24 & #25 - 8 and under freestyle
#22 & #23 - 6 and under freestyle
#34 & #35 - 8 and under breaststroke
. . . then onto the rest of freestyle events (9 and older), and rest breaststroke events (9 and older)

Second Half 25m Events (after 15-18 breaststroke, #43)
#46 & #47- 8 and under backstroke
#44 & #45 - 6 and under backstroke
#56 & #57 - 8 and under butterfly
. . . then onto the rest of backstroke events (9 and older) and rest of butterfly events (9 and older), and then 9 and older free relays - please do not leave the meet early.

Volunteers: Please check in with Skye Durrer as soon as you arrive. Please make sure to pick up your name tag. If you are unable to find me, you can text me at 434-953-8353. It is essential that you serve in the position for which you signed up. Meets cannot run without all of the amazing parents who volunteer. The teams and swimmers are counting on you.

Hollymead Seating and Deck Space: Map is attached

We are sitting in the grassy area outside of the gate so that we can be the best hosts we can be to our visiting teams. While there is plenty of shaded area (yay!) there is some sunny space that would warrant tents.

Our Watch and Go area will be on the pool deck closest to the parking lot along Lane 1. Do not sit or allow our swimmers to sit in the chairs along the other side of the pool (closest to lane 6) as those are for the other team. Please be courteous of families who have a swimmer in the current race and move so they can see. It is a relatively narrow space that we will need share.

Our swimmers will have a narrow walk way blocked off from the back gate to the clerk, along the fence. This space will be for swimmers only; family members should not be behind the blocks.

Please Bring:

Flip flops or crocs- the pool deck will be hot
Plenty of water and sunscreen
Team cap and goggles (back up and clear/non-tinted goggles are a great idea as well)
Snacks/dinner or CASH to purchase food
Towel
Fans, shade, cooling towels, and anything else that will help mitigate the heat

Inclement Weather: It is essential that parents are present at the meet so that if we have to clear the pool deck, you can take your child with you to your car. Coaches cannot be responsible for children during storm delays. Please make sure you have a plan in place for your swimmer(s) and communicate that plan with your swimmer(s) prior to the meet.

Concessions: CASH ONLY. We will have various drinks and snacks as well as pork BBQ sandwiches, Chick-fil-a and pizza. Kona Ice will be here too, so make sure to cool off with an icy treat. Our concessions menu is attached.

Meet Photos: You can view our amazing photos from the meets on our website.

Meet Etiquette Reminders

Please review these important reminders with your swimmers before the meet:

Show excellent sportsmanship.
Stay in the water until all swimmers in your heat have finished.
Congratulate fellow swimmers with a handshake or high-five after races.
Cheer for your teammates!
Swimmers and spectators should stand respectfully during the National Anthem.
Swimmers must check in with a coach before leaving the meet. We often maintain a standby list for exhibition swims, and we need to know who is still available.
Before leaving, please clean up your area and dispose of all trash.
Swimmers should avoid being on the playground during the meet.
Listen for events to be called to clerk. While at clerk, please be mindful that it is busy and gets loud, so do your best to reduce this from happening.

Unsupervised Children

To ensure the safety of all our swimmers, we kindly ask that parents of 8 & Under swimmers (and any older swimmers who may require additional supervision) remain on the pool deck during practice. Additionally, children should not be left unattended at meets; please do not drop them off and leave.

Hollymead Gear

If you're interested in purchasing Hollymead caps ($15), shirts ($20), magnets ($3), please contact Jayna at [email protected] or me.

Declaring for Meets

The deadline for declaring for meets is Friday at 12 PM. Please ensure you declare all swimmers as either "yes" or "no" before this time. You are also welcome to declare for all remaining meets now if you wish. If you need help or have questions, let me know.

While we know emergencies happen, please make every effort to attend meets for which you have declared you will be there. If an emergency does arise, please email Coach Helen ([email protected]) and Skye Durrer ([email protected]) to let us know as soon as possible.

Sign-ups for Stroke Clinic

The deadline to sign up for Saturday's Stroke Clinic is Friday at 12 PM. Please note, there will be NO STROKE CLINIC THIS WEEK, July 4.

Fun Day

Thursday Fun Day Sign Ups can be found here.

Sponsors

Please check out the small businesses who are supporting our team and your swimmers this summer. Show your We encourage our Hammerhead families to support the businesses that support our team and swimmers throughout the summer.

Let's go Hammerheads!

Warmly,

Skye