Hi Caiman Swimmers & Divers!

Welcome to the 2021 swim season! This will be a swim season like no other, but we are going to make it just as much fun as years past.

Here is all of the information that you need to know (and that we have at this point) for the season:

First practice: Monday, February 1st - 3:15pm-5:15pm

Please come regardless of your athletic clearance status! The first hour of practice will be a team meeting. If you do not have your clearance complete, you may leave at the conclusion of the meeting. If you are cleared to practice, we will be getting in the water to test out our practice plans!

Athletic Clearance: If you have not completed your athletic clearance paperwork, including your physical, please do this ASAP. You will not be allowed to get into the water until this is completed. HERE is a link to the website. I know that trying to get this done may be a challenge this year, as getting in to see your doctor is difficult. Minute Clinics inside CVS can complete them, but you will need to make an appointment. Don't forget to fill out the online portion of the paperwork, as well.

Practices: @ James Stone Pool (In the California Center for the Arts parking lot)
Mon 3:15-5:15pm
Tue 1:00-3:00pm
Wed 3:15-5:15pm
Thu 1:00-3:00pm
Fri 3:15-5:15pm

Because we are limited in the number of swimmers we can have per lane, each team (JV and Varsity) will have 1 hour of pool time and 1 hour of dryland practice to start the season. As the season goes on, we will adjust this to get the maximum pool time possible for all swimmers.

COVID Protocols: Please understand that my goal is to have a complete season. We practice in a public parking lot with a full view of the pool. While I respect that everyone has their own views on this subject, I do not want the team to have to stop training because someone files a complaint with the school or the city because we are not following the rules. Therefore, please read the following carefully:

- All athletes must come to/leave from practice dressed in their suits as the locker rooms will not be available for changing. Bring dryland workout clothes (shorts, t-shirts and tennis shoes) to every practice to be worn over your swimsuit.
- All athletes will need to fill out a daily health screening form using their phone and will have their temperatures checked before entering the facility.
- All swimmers must wear a mask at all times on the deck and may only be removed immediately prior to entering the water. Please bring a Ziplock baggie with your name written on it to keep your mask in while you are in the pool.
- Social distancing, both in and out of the pool, will be expected during practices and meets.

These protocols may be added to or amended at any time, if required by CIF, the city, or the school.

If you do not feel well IN ANY WAY, please do not come to practice! Please text me to let me know so the coaches can handle the situation appropriately.

Meets: Because the stay-at-home order was lifted, we are allowed to compete. We will hopefully get to swim in 7 meets. The first meet will possibly happen the week of February 22nd, but please understand that this is not a guarantee. If we get to have meets, they will look very different this year and I am currently working with the other coaches to figure out how to run the meets following all of the guidelines that we have from the different entities involved. Most schools do not have a pool to hold a meet, so the schedule is very much up in the air right now. When it has been finalized, I will send out that information. As for league and CIF championships, I would not expect them to take place because of the number of athletes, space limitations and cost of those meets. I can tell you though that there are a lot of people working hard to try to figure out how to have them, so stay tuned.

Coaches: Coach Hoff (aka. Momma Hoff)
Coach Carley
Coach Sophia
Coach Chris

As you can see, Coach Scott is not listed. This does not mean that he is gone, he will just not be on the pool deck this year. I will still be relying on him to help me design the season. We will all be working hard to make the season as fun and competitive as always, and we are going to build that same family atmosphere that makes our swim team so amazing!

Expectations: There should be NONE for this season. Not for athletes. Not for parents. We all need to be of the mindset that every day that we get to be in the water as a team is a gift. We will not be looking too far into the future, but will be celebrating all of the small victories every practice. All swimmers should come to practice with their own personal motivation and goals, and the energy and attitude to make the most of every day. We will not expect to compete at swim meets, achieve best times or even complete the 13 week season as it has been laid out by CIF. But that is what we will work hard for every single day so that if those things happen, we will be ready!

If there is anything that you are still wondering about, or any personal situation that you want to talk to a coach about, please bring it to practice tomorrow and we will answer it for you!

Can't wait to see you all at the pool!!!

Coach Hoff