PRACTICE INFORMATION

Practice is the key to having a successful swim season. Your swimmers should expect to have fun, work hard, and learn a lot when they come to practice. The focus of practices in general is the development of stroke technique and meet preparation. Year-round swimmers participating in their team’s long-course practices should speak with Coach Hawkins concerning their practice schedule at the beginning of the season. If a swimmer plans to miss a large number of practices due to other activities, but are still able to attend meets, please let Coach Hawkins know this as well.

All practices will be held at the Bryan Family YMCA in downtown Greensboro. Practices will run Monday through Friday between the hours of 5pm and 7pm (see below for specific times). Swimmers are encouraged to come to as many practices as they are able, but are certainly not required to attend them all. Please contact Coach Hawkins for recommended attendance for your individual swimmer. Additionally, there will be no practice held on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and on meet days (see next page for meet schedule).

PRACTICE SCHEDULE (Monday – Friday):

CUBS (our youngest or least experienced bears):
5:00 – 5:45pm

POLAR BEARS (our more experienced, older bears):
5:00 – 6:00pm

GRIZZLY BEARS (our most seasoned, senior bears):
5:45 – 7:00pm

WHAT TO BRING

All swimmers are asked to bring a towel, water bottle, and goggles to practice. We recommend swim caps for anyone with hair past your chin. Team suits will be available for purchase, but the coaching staff recommends that team suits be worn only at meets so as to make them last as long as possible. Swimmers may wear any style of swimsuit they wish to practice in, however girls are asked to wear one-piece suits, as they are more comfortable and suitable for training.

Swimmers should also bring a positive attitude to the pool for practice. A negative attitude inhibits the learning process for everyone in the group. It is important for your swimmers to understand that they will only get out of this activity what they put into it. The coaching staff expects the swimmers to respect their coaches, their teammates,and the sport of swimming by coming to practice ready to listen and learn.