Dear Mariner Families –

Welcome to the Mariner Web Site! I hope you will find all the information you need about the team and our activities. I encourage you to use the web site frequently to check practice schedules, the list of meets we plan to attend and other events that we will be having over the year. There are also links to motivational times (the times which improvement prizes are based on!), USA Swimming (where you can check a swimmer’s times), and to Maryland Swimming (for more information on upcoming meets).

Mariner’s is a parent run swim club. That means our club is run by a Board made up of parents from the team. We meet monthly to discuss the financial details of the club and to plan upcoming events, meets, etc. Please let me know if you have interest in sitting on the Board. We are always looking for motivated volunteers. We always need helping hands with the various events over the year as well. A parent from every family is expected to work at each of the two meets we sponsor.

Here are some things I ask all parents to remember:

• No parents on deck. Please speak to coaches after practice, not before or during! Unless you are an official (including a timer) you may not be on deck during a swim meet either.

• Please walk into the pool to pick up your swimmers. Our insurance on your swimmer only covers them inside the pool area. Often the last coach to leave does not leave via the stairs to the parking lot, so there is no way for us to know if you have been detained at pick up.

• Please park in the lower lot from the pool at all times (not in the bus pick up circle).

• Watch the list of meets we will be attending and let Jody know in writing (email is fine) if you will be attending. Some meets fill up, so time is important. We are investigating other methods of meet sign up (via the web site) and will let you know if and when the change is made.

• Our swim meets are January 19^th and 20^th and April 5^th and 6^th. Note the January meets is Martin Luther King weekend. We still expect all Mariner swimmers to attend both meets and all parents to volunteer!

• Volunteer! Mariner coaches are focused on training our swimmers. We need parents to help with all other events. If you are involved, your swimmer is likely to have a better experience!

• Ask Questions! We understanding that swimming takes a while to fully understand. Jody and I are available to answer any of your questions!

Sincerely,

Betsy Rutherford

Mariner Board President