Shark Bites and Meet Info

July 7th

Hello Hammerheads,

We survived our first home meet and are ready for our second! This week we will be hosting Boar's Head. Hopefully it will be much cooler... but we are watching weather for possible storms. Come prepared for potential storm delays!

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.

CHAMPS VOLUNTEERING

We have required volunteer slots to fill for our team. It is mandatory that we fulfill all the spots and it is essential that if you sign up, you must serve in that position. We need these filled ASAP.

A major benefit to volunteering is that you get a parking pass to park at YMCA instead of over at CHS and hiking over.

Spirit Week

Spirit Week will be July 20-23. We will be sharing more details and update Swimtopia as information is ready. Get hyped for lots of fun together leading up to Champs!

Champs

Champs will be held July 24 and 25 at Brooks YMCA. Session information is as follows:

July 24 AM - 11-12 year olds
July 24 PM - 13 & Over
July 25 AM - 8 & Under
July 25 PM - 9-10 year olds

Please declare your swimmer for Champs in Swimtopia.

Save the Date for End of the Season Banquet

Our banquet will be held at Hollymead Pool on July 26 from 6pm-9pm. More details to come.

MEET INFORMATION

When & Where

Wednesday July 8, 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.

5:55pm: Meet Begins

Theme: Hawaiian

Heat Sheets and Relays will be emailed separately as soon as we have them to share.

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.

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.

Evening Practices

Please note that evening practices are held on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (no Friday). You must email Coach Helen ([email protected]) to inquire about attending evening at any given time. Evening practices are a courtesy to families who are unable to attend morning practices and availability is limited. They are not a substitution for morning practices.

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, the IM stroke clinic this week is ONLY 9 and OVER swimmers and it is 9am-10am.

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