Hi Team! 

We’re thrilled to be back for another season for the Sharx. This email outlines our updated plans for the summer, given the new MCSL guidance that came out on Friday, May 21st. We are hosting an informational parents meeting on Tuesday, June 1st @ 6:30pm at the pool following the safety check to provide an overview of how the season will work and answer any questions.

*Updates to the 2021 season* - MCSL has reversed their previous COVID-19 restrictions and guidance almost entirely. We will have an almost normal season - following the Montgomery County COVID-19 guidelines! Practice & Meet schedule and details are on the website: Practice Schedule

More information regarding meet protocols is available on the COVID corner on the NCC SwimTopia webpage and will be discussed at the meeting on June 1st.

Reminder: swim team registration is open! If you are a new swimmer, or were previously on the pre-team, please sign up for a slot at the safety check on Tuesday, June 1st so the coaches can confirm who will be on swim team vs. pre-team. We will be using an online registration system this year on our team platform, SwimTopia – click here to register.

*Now that we are allowed to have pre-team, we're looking for helpers! If your swimmer is going into 8th grade or above and is interested in helping the coaches, please reply to this email and let me know.

When you register your swimmer(s) you will still be asked to sign a COVID-19 waiver (assumption of risk, acknowledging you will not come to the pool if you are feeling sick, etc.) available via the COVID corner on our SwimTopia platform: https://nccsharx.swimtopia.com/). You must sign this waiver in order to attend any practice, meet, or NCC/MCSL function.

SHARX SHOP ONLINE: https://sportfairusa.tuosystems.com/stores/northchevychase21 Note: if orders are in by June 2nd, a bulk delivery will be made to the team.

**BIG MEET UPDATE**

The order of events at meets has changed. Please see attached for details. The major changes are:

• Every age group will swim IM first, instead of different age groups being shuffled around during the meet. Once IM is completed, every age group will then swim free, back, breast and fly.
• 19-year olds are allowed to swim in a dedicated heat. They cannot score points for the team except in the Open Relay.
• The Open Relay (aka the big kids medley) is moved to the middle of the meet - as the first event after the halftime break.

There will be no division-wide relay carnival or all-star relays this year :( We’re working on some kind of relay meet for fun, but it wouldn’t be with our division teams.

Divisionals & All-Star Practices TBA.

Divisionals is currently scheduled to be held as three dual meets to avoid having too many teams in the same place at the same time. More details to come. All Star Individuals are likely to be split into two days over All Star weekend - with boys swimming one day, and girls swimming the other.

Coaches’ Long Course is still up in the air - but the MCSL board seems hopeful that it will happen! 

See you next week!

Coach Dana