Pre-Competitive Swim

Tue May 26th - Fri June 26th |  Monday – Friday

Pre-Competitive Swim: 9:00am - 10:00am

Competitive Swim

Tue May 26th - Tue July 7th  |  Monday – Friday

Competitive Swim: 7:15am –  9:00am

Dive Team

Tue May 26th - Thu July 9th | Monday – Friday

Advanced Dive: 9:00am – 11:00am

Beginner Dive: 10:00am – 11:00am

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Bring a water bottle, your suit, swim cap, and goggles!

Practice will be in the outdoor pool. In the event of inclement weather, practice may be moved to the gym. If a cancellation is needed, coaching staff will do their best to provide a minimum of a 30-minute cancellation notice based on current radar information. If it is determined that practice or a meet is to be cancelled, a message will be sent out through Swimtopia and Remind101 to notify parents. If thunder and/or lightning is in the area, swimmers are not allowed in the water for a period of 30 minutes after it has cleared.

Parents

Practices are open to parents. However, please stay off of the pool deck during practice unless you have spoken to a head coach prior to practice. Please refrain from talking to coaches during practice. We recommend all parents who plan to watch practices to sit closer to our fence at the top of the hill, completely behind the fence, or on the far side (zero entry) of the pool deck. If you have any questions for the coaching staff, please talk to a coach before 7am, after 11am, or email/text/call a coach. 

Inclement Weather or Cold Pool Temperatures

In the event of inclement weather, cold pool temperatures, or other facility issues, practice may be moved to the gym. If thunder and/or lightning is in the are, swimmers are not allowed in the water or on the deck for a period of 30 minutes after it has cleared.

If a cancellation is needed, the coaching staff will do their best to provide a minimum of a 30-minute cancellation notice based on current radar information or pool temperatures.

Due to the size of our team, and the community center's high demand for lap swimming for patrons in the morning, we are unable to practice inside as a team.

If it is determined that practice or a meet is to be cancelled, a message will be sent out through SwimTopia and Remind101 to notify parents. (For text notifications, sign up for Remind 101 found below)

Unfortunately, there are no make up days for practices that are canceled. 

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Receive text messages about any practice reminders and updates by joining our team Text Remind!

Merriam Dolphins Swim & Dive Team

• Link: https://www.remind.com/join/merriamdo
• Or send a text to 81010 --- text this message: @merriamdo

Precompetitive Swim Team

• Link: https://www.remind.com/join/merriampr
• Or send a text to 81010 --- text this message: @merriampr

Competitive Swim Team

• Link: https://www.remind.com/join/merriamco
• Or send a text to 81010 --- text this message: @merriamco

Dive Team

• Link: https://www.remind.com/join/merriamdi
• Or send a text to 81010 --- text this message: @merriamdi

Any suit that appropriately covers the body may be worn. Multiple suits and tights may be worn to create drag. Team suits should not be worn for practice. Two-piece suits for females are not allowed. Athletes may wear any cap they would like during practice assuming the message on the cap is family friendly and appropriate.

Other Items to Bring to Practice:

WATER BOTTLE, Towel, Shammy (for Dive), Goggles (for Swim), Tennis Shoes (Dryland)

Swimmers are expected to be on deck, with equipment (caps, goggles, etc.) adjusted, and ready to swim at their scheduled start time. If a swimmer is not able to get to practice on time, prior notification from the parent is appreciated. If not possible, please let your coach know upon arrival. No swimmer should enter the pool until the coach has given this direction. When swimmers are early for practice, they are expected to wait on the pool deck.

Before the start of all practices swimmers should use the bathroom. At the start of practice swimmers will enter the pool feet first with one hand on the side of the pool. The coach will direct swimmers to the lane they will swim in. Swimmers swim on the right side of the lane, turning around on the left side of the lane. If a swimmer is not able to swim for any reason they should get to the side of the pool, get out, and inform the coach. Asking the coach to be excused to go to the bathroom is expected.

During times when the coach is giving verbal direction, swimmers will not talk until the coach is finished or he/she has asked for questions. Swimmers are expected to be focused during practice to insure the best practice possible for the individual as well as the team. Foul language, negative attitudes and comments, especially the word “can’t” will not be tolerated during practice.

Practice is meant to be fun, challenging and exciting. Please bring your suit, goggles, towel, and most importantly your commitment to excellence to every practice.

All pool rules must be observed by athletes and parents at all times. Entrance to the pool is through the front desk. You will not be granted access to the pool from the gates on the pool deck. No running on pool deck or in locker rooms.