Steiner Stars vs Block House Creek Tidal Waves
Saturday June 25, 2022

We’re almost finished with the longest week of Stars… 3 meets in eight days! I appreciate each and everyone who has stepped in when needed and am in awe of the swimmers and coaches for going strong this week. Please take the time to read this email as some pieces change meet to meet. 

MEET LOCATION: Apache Pool
3100 N Blockhouse Drive, Leander TX 78641

Parking: Parking is allowed on Blockhouse Dr. and on the grass across from the pool (will be clearly marked and parking attendants will be directing traffic). No parking is available in the parking lot, on any side streets or in the cul-de-sac directly adjacent to the pool. No parking per state law on the bridge, within 15ft of fire hydrants, within 30ft from a stop sign, WILCO Sheriff’s office will ticket anyone parked in these areas and are frequently patrolling the streets, please be careful to avoid these areas. Please follow these rules and adhere to any parking directions on site.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ

• This is a 6 lane (25 yard pool), their team has a hard stop of 12:45pm in order to have the pool cleared by 1pm. As a result we have been limited to one heat of relays.
• A quick parent/coach relay is currently scheduled but may be cancelled if we run behind
• Their pool does not have a consistent 15m line. Therefore they are removing the DQ call from all races but judges can write this infraction as a warning.
• No video or photography behind the blocks -  zero tolerance for this
• Chairs will not be allowed to be set-up inside the gates, please watch your kid swim and then return to the area outside for family tents. 
• Age group tents are reserved for swimmers and Tent Parents ONLY
• Ready Bench and area behind the starting blocks are for swimmers ONLY
• Children are to remain in their age group swimmer tent 
  • Please be mindful of the homes directly behind the pool area -  do NOT allow swimmers to go into their yards when playing

MEET ABSENCES: For any absences the day of the meet please text Candice Palmer, Team Coordinator (571-599-1330) as soon a possible

HEAT SHEETS/MEET RESULTS: Heat Sheets and Meet Entries are now posted under the Calendar section of the Red Team website once finalized. Please check the meet entries file that is posted along with the Heat Sheets. This will tell you what events (including heat and lane) your swimmer is in. Please know that relays are always subject to change. You will be able to view preliminary results via the Swimtopia App. Final results will be posted to the website following the meet.

SWIMTOPIA APP: You can download the SwimTopia Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play

We also have the ability to communicate through push notifications -- which is helpful for when we need to get information out quickly (as we discovered last week).

To receive push alerts on your phone:

1. Log in with your SwimTopia login
2. Be sure to check your app’s notification settings -- ensure that it’s set to pop up on your screen (Android users: set the Importance to “Urgent”)

* We highly recommend that you upgrade to the Pro version of the app to get estimated start times for events that will also update as the meet progresses.

*Please ensure you have the app opened and you are signed in on meet day.

APPAREL: Please text Aika (410-615-0018) or Zulfiya (832-894-4638) if you need a Stars cap

CONCESSIONS: The concession stand will be located inside the gated area near the entrance closest to our swimmer tents. The Tidal Waves will be selling a variety of food items Cash and credit/debit cards are accepted.

Chicken Heats: Similar to our Hot Hats, Tidal Waves draw random heats and they are considered chicken heats. Chicken heats are not announced until that heat of swimmers have started and are already in the water. The winner of that heat gets a rubber chicken along with their heat winner ribbon. It is random and crazy, but the kids love it!

CHECK-IN TIMES:

"Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable" - Eric Jerome Dickey

• 5:20AM - Set Up Crew Arrive & Tent Set-up Volunteers
• 6:15AM - Tent Parents Volunteers Check-In and Report to Tent
• 6:30AM - Swimmer (check your swimmer in with the tent parents at their age group tent)
• 6:30AM - Volunteer - both first and 2nd shift(check your swimmer in first and then check-in with our Volunteer Coordinators at the white check-in table) Please wear your nametag
• 6:55AM - STARS Swimmer Warm-Up
• 7:15AM - Stroke/Exchange Judge and Timer Meetings BOTH SHIFTS (Stroke/Exchange Judges under the American Flag , Timers meet at the shallow end of the pool)
• 7:15AM - Ready Bench volunteers report to the Ready Bench
• 7:20AM - 1st shift volunteers, timers and judges report to positions/ Event 1 Report to Ready Bench
• 7:25AM - Event 1 at the blocks
• 7:28AM - National Anthem
• 7:30AM - Start of the Meet
• EVENT 45 - SHIFT CHANGE: 2nd Shift Volunteers in place (1st shift to remain in positions until relieved)

PARENT/ COACH RELAY IF TIME ALLOWS

• EVENT 78 - Exchange Judges report to positions
  • Tent Tear Down and Transport crew report to 5/6 Tents

Please be on time - late swimmers may be scratched from relays

Thank you all in advance for your cooperation and dedication to our team! We are lucky to have such amazing parents and swimmers

PHOTOS: We have amazing volunteers who take action shots of our swimmers in and out of the water. To see these photos visit the GALLERY HERE on the website. If you are prompted for a password it is “stars”

SWIM MEET 101:

• What to take and do at a Swim Meet (please read if you are a new family or even a returning family as you may have forgotten some things)

• Procedures for Volunteer Jobs (PLEASE READ IF YOU ARE VOLUNTEERING)

LEAVING THE SWIM MEET:

• Please help us by leaving their pool in the same or better shape than we found it.
• You must physically check-out your swimmer with a tent parent by initialing or signing next to your swimmers name
• If you are leaving the meet before the free relays please double check with the tent parents to ensure your swimmer is not swimming in a relay. Even if your swimmer wasn't initially scheduled to swim in a relay they may have been added during the meet.
• Tell your swimmer how much you enjoyed watching them swim - they have worked hard and it’s been a long week for them as well

GOOOO STARS!!!

Candice Palmer
Red Team Coordinator
571-599-1330