Little Hunting Park Gators

Little Hunting Park's Gators Swim Team is a seasonal team and charter member of the Northern Virginia Swimming League (NVSL). Summer 2018 marks LHP's 63rd swim season. Our Team is made up of members of Little Hunting Park. The Team's goal is to provide every swimmer an opportunity to improve swimming skills and achieve success for the Team and for themselves. The Gators focus on stroke development, sportsmanship, Team camaraderie, recognition of achievement and fun!

Congratulations to our Swimmers of the Week!

Anna M, Jimmy T, Betsy P Eamon O

Erin A, Jack O, Margaret R, Bastian H

Marlo E, Casen R, Kari G, Henry C

Shannon C, Patrick C, Charlie E, Kate R

Anais J, Kian N, Amelia B, Tommy W

Most Improved

Fiona C, Finn W, Amelia B, James C

Ajami D, Dane B, Mack C, Eamon O

Ella O, Jackson H, Marlo E, Ferdinand B

Norah E, Finn S, Phoebe M, Andrew M

Pastas of the Week:  Andy B, Yamina B, Andy B, Erin A, Maren H

PLEASE take few moments to declare swimmers' availability for ALL upcoming meets NOW.

 It's easy: Go to "Swim Meets" Tab

For each meet click Meet Entry button and Edit each swimmers' availability.  

We understand plans and events change, do your best to update availability as the season progresses.

It's extremely important for the Coaches to know who is (and who is not) available to swim, particularly for Saturday morning Dual Meets!  

Everyone knows how hard Gators' Coaches work on deck at practices and meets.  Behind the scenes, the Coaches spend HOURS each week preparing Dual Meet entries.  Selecting 60 swimmers from a roster of 200 is a demanding process; constrained by entry limits, strict substitution rules, and matching-up to competitors to produce a line-up that will MAXIMIZE the probability of GATOR VICTORY!  This process is doubly complicated by UNEXPECTED ABSENCES.  It is not as simple as "next swimmer up"; a single absence often requires shifting swimmers across multiple events within the gender/age-group.  Multiple absences multiply the additional efforts required.

It's also very helpful to have a good idea of participation at Monday evening Developmental Meets (B-meets): Swimmers are better served by Coaches coaching, not filling out Time cards! 

HELP THE COACHES HELP THE SWIMMERS

DECLARE AVAILABILITY NOW

A big THANK YOU to all who have been helping the TEAM by declaring Swimmer Availability!

Gators Swim Team isn't just about a ton of training laps and races.  Lots of "dry" activities are offered for team-building and FUN.  Mark your calendars for these great events. RSVP to each event by using the Swim Meets tab above.

Friday evenings: Pasta Dinner: a long standing Team tradition, which is an awesome potluck party for the whole family.  Coaches present weekly awards, including "Pasta of the Week"  (No glass, pyrex, ceramic, earthenware containers, PLEASE!)  This event happens every Friday throughout the season (6/15-7/20). No RSVP needed for Pasta Dinners.  Mini-meets for our smallest swimmers precede each Pasta Dinner.  No registration required.

Thursday 7/19  Pancake Brunch Part 2: It was so much fun the first time, let's do it again.  Many parents will be needed to help: food donation and food preparation. RSVP very helpful!  (rain date 7/24)

Friday 7/20: Gators' Matinee II: Hotel Transylvania 3  At Hoffman AMC at about 1:00pm.  This is not a drop-off event, please ensure your swimmer has a chaperone. No RSVP required.

Tuesday 7/24: Gators' Swim-a-Thon for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: Fund-raising event for a very worthy charity. Swimmers collect pledges for laps swum during morning and evening practice session.  Warning to Grandma, Grandpa and Neighbors: our youngest swimmers will swim WAY more laps than you may expect! Online pledges and donations can be made at this website  

http://events.lls.org/pages/nca/LittleHuntingParkGators2018

Thursday 7/26 3:00 pm Laser Tag, Shadowlands: 5508 Franconia Rd., Alexandria 22310. Culminating "off-campus" social outing.  RSVP required.

Saturday 7/28 Gators' Sports Banquet: @LHP  5:00-10:30pm.  THE BEST party you could possibly imagine...

Whenever, the LHP parking lot overflows,

PLEASE use the Bucknell Elementary School Lots (Back AND Front) as your first choice of overflow parking. Super-secret-locals only tip: there are a handful of nice spots tucked up right behind the school, beyond the street-side lots.

Many of our residential neighbors have no driveways and depend on street parking. PLEASE be considerate of our neighbors' needs. Park only on the school side of Canterbury/University, if the school's lots are full.

Please AVOID parking on Coventry. This is a super narrow street with no shoulder. 

Always bring a water bottle to practices and meets.

Swimmers should wear an appropriate swimsuit, well-fitting goggles and cap to practice and meets.

Finding well-fitting goggles for younger swimmers may be difficult.  Experimenting with different styles is often necessary. Your swimmer's comfort takes priority.

Good quality goggles, suits and other swimming related gear are available at Sport Fair in Arlington.

Spare goggles and caps are often handy. Don't forget a towel (or two)!

Why should the kids have all the fun?  Parents may participate in swim meets in a variety of fun and exciting ways: marshals, concessions, timers, data table, marshals, judges, starters, announcers, marshals, runner, clerks of course etc. Did we mention marshals? 

While updating your swimmers' availability at meets, be sure to volunteer for your preferred role, before someone else does!

More detailed descriptions of roles found here

For Parents:

Please remain off the deck during practices and meets (unless in an official capacity).

Please refrain from conversation with Coaches during practices and meets.

Please ensure your swimmer remains in the Team area during meets.

These requests are made with the intent to maximize the success of the Team.