MS/HS Swim Season Kicks Off!

Dear Swimmers and Swim Families,

We are off to a strong start in the pool. We have around 50 swimmers out for the team ranging from grade 6 to grade 12. Each practice, our swimmers train up to around 3000 meters, (can vary slightly depending on specific workout and individual swim levels). Swimmers are encouraged to arrive ON TIME and to bring their water bottles every practice. In this way, we can maximize our practice time.

During our team meeting last week, we spoke about focusing on a WIN the Day mindset (W = What's I = Important N = Now). To WIN the Day, we focus each day on the small things we can control. We can control our EFFORT, our ATTITUDE and our BEHAVIOR. It's a CHOICE. We also identified our top team core values of perseverance, commitment, competitiveness, integrity, love and joyfulness. Core values are the building blocks that can help us define who we are, what we do and why. Our team values will help keep us anchored and help to drive success in our program as we work together to create a winning team culture. We can control how we live our core values and when we do, we Win the Day. It's a CHOICE! This week, we are focusing on perseverance....what that looks like, feels like and sounds like as part of the swim team at TAISM. Each swimmer is challenged to embody these core values in and out of the pool this season.




Time Trials and SAISA Team Selection
On Wednesday, we will swim 50 M time trials in each stroke during our regular practice time, (make-ups on Thursday). We have another time trial date coming up on Saturday, September 14th. We hope as many swimmers as possible will be able to attend. We have a bit longer time frame during Saturday practices so that makes it ideal for our 100 M time trials. We hope many swimmers will choose to attend---it should be a fun and productive morning. We understand that some swimmers may have other family commitments over the weekend. If this is the case,  let Ms. Grace or me know if possible. We'll wrap up these time trials at the following Sunday practice. :-) We use time trial data to help inform our team selections for SAISA. We are allowed to have a team of 30 swimmers total (boys and girls) across the three age groups (10-12 years old, 13-14 years old and 15+ years old).

Competitions
The SAISA competition this year will be in Kathmandu, Nepal at Lincoln School. The competition will be held on October 17-19th. This means that in less than two short weeks, we will have arrived at the team selection deadline-September 16th. We will announce who is selected for the SAISA team at the end of afternoon practice on the 16th. (FYI-on the slip sent home I incorrectly stated 18th). More information about SAISA and the trip will be coming shortly. Ms. Lang and Ms. McClurkin will be in touch with SAISA swimmers regarding traveling details and host family assignments. Remember, there are other swim competitions for swimmers to participate in beyond our SAISA event. We welcome swimmers who are not selected for the traveling SAISA team to continue training and compete in these local meets. The local swim meet schedule will be set this week and I will add those dates to the sidebar of this blog. Remember, if you are viewing on a mobile device, you need to click "view web version" to see the sidebar notes.

NEW Team Suits
Soon, you will receive a google form from me that is a TAISM team swim suit order form. IF you are interested in ordering a team suit, please complete the order form by Monday, September 9th. Please note, team suits are OPTIONAL. Girls suits will be 29 OMR and Boys jammers will be 22 OMR. The suits are TYR brand and are made of durable polyester. The suits will have the TAISM Eagle logo. The girls will have a choice of two different style backs. Photos will accompany the order form. Swimmers interested in ordering a team suit need to fill out the google order form by the deadline so that we can get the suits ordered and shipped in time to get them to Oman.

To help with your budgeting and planning, please note, TAISM swim caps are required for competitions (4.400 OMR). Additionally, for SAISA swimmers, there will be travel team SPEEDO backpacks available for purchase (approx. 24 OMR). Backpacks are optional---SAISA swimmers have a choice if they want to buy or BORROW for our trip to Nepal. More information to follow about the backpacks.

Pizza Party
Next week, Wednesday, September 11 from 5:15-6:15 PM, we will have our annual Swim Team Pizza Party for MS/HS swimmers. The cost is 3 OMR for pizza and juice. If pizza isn't your thing, you are welcome to bring your own snack and still join in on the team games/social time. There will be a sign-up sheet at practice and a folder for swimmers to put pizza money. We will have practice as usual on Wednesday, ending just a few minutes early. Please note: SWIM FAMILIES are responsible for providing transportation home after the Pizza Party (no bus).


If you have any questions or concerns, please send me an email, stop by or make an appointment to come talk with me in person. 

Looking forward to working with this strong group of swimmers this season.
Thank you for supporting our team!

Swim Hard. Dream BIG!

xx Ms. Cori