Storm Watch Weekly

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Hello Lincoln Lightning Families,

We have another great week planned! This week we will be learning (or reviewing) butterfly technique as well as continuing to practice the other three strokes. We will also be practicing the individual medley (IM) and IM turns with the 9 and older swimmers. Make sure to read below for important information on Time Trials, Lincoln Lincoln Lightning Facebook Group, Descriptions of volunteer positions, and swimmer community service hours/ volunteering opportunities.

⏱️ Time Trials — Monday, September 28

Time Trials are quickly approaching! All swimmers must be declared as attending or not attending.

Please complete your declaration in Swimtopia by Tuesday, September 22. It will be easiest to complete this on a PC.

On the team website:

1. Go to Calendar
2. Click Time Trials
3. Declare your swimmer as attending or not attending
4. Sign up for your volunteer shift

If you get stuck or would prefer that I sign your child up, please email me at [email protected].

Meet Timeline

• 3:00 PM: Gates open
• 3:00–3:15 PM: Check-in
• 3:15 PM: Warm-ups begin
• 4:00 PM: Meet begins
• 5:30 PM: All 6 & under swimmers should be finished
• 7:00 PM: Meet ends no later than

Warm-Up Schedule

• 3:15–3:25 PM: 10 & Under — White, Blue & Yellow Groups
• 3:25–3:35 PM: Ages 9–12 — Black & Green Groups
• 3:35–3:50 PM: Ages 11–18 — Gold Group

🙋 Volunteering at Swim Meets & Time Trials

The main volunteer position we need to fill is timer. We are hoping to have three timers per lane, plus a backup timer for each shift.

Don’t worry if you’ve never done it before! We’ll explain everything before the meet starts, and there are multiple timers in each lane.

Once you’ve worked a meet, you may want to try another position. Here’s a quick overview:

TimersTimers sit behind the starting blocks for approximately half of the meet and are responsible for timing races. Depending on the lane, you will either use a stopwatch or push a button on our Timedrops timing system when the swimmer finishes. One timer in each lane will also record the stopwatch times. Backup timers are available in case a stopwatch doesn’t start or a button is accidentally pushed early.

Backup TimerThe backup timer stands near the starting end of the pool with a stopwatch. You will start your watch each time a race begins. If a timer’s watch doesn’t start, you will switch stopwatches with them so the race can still be timed accurately.

Ready BenchThe Ready Bench volunteer uses the meet heat sheet to organize swimmers and send them to the starting blocks. This helps keep the meet running smoothly. At least one coach will also assist in this area.

StarterThe starter is responsible for starting each race using a whistle, the command “Take your mark,” and the starting system. We will train you and/or have you shadow an experienced starter until you feel comfortable.

Stroke & Turn JudgeThis position requires more training than the other volunteer jobs. Before working in this position, you must watch the training videos under the Resources tab on the team website.

Stroke & Turn officials help keep competition fair by watching swimmers for legal stroke and turn technique and identifying any rule violations during races.

📱 Facebook Group — Lincoln Lightning Parents

The Lincoln Lightning Parent Committee started a Facebook group this summer, and we’d love to have you join!

The group is helpful for reminders, communication, and trading/swapping swim gear. For example, if you purchase a swimsuit or fins that don’t fit your child, you can post in the group to see if another family would be interested in trading.

Search Lincoln Lightning Parents on Facebook and join today!

🏊 Swimmer Volunteer Hours Available

A few swimmers have expressed interest in earning community service hours. If any of our older swimmers would like to volunteer at practice, please email me at [email protected]. Parent emails are welcome as well.

I’ll schedule volunteers for one or two practices per week, depending on interest. This is a great opportunity for swimmers to:

• Earn volunteer/community service hours
• Develop a deeper understanding of the sport
• Gain experience that may be helpful for future jobs

🏊 Practice Times

Thank you all for being flexible with the recent practice-time changes. Here is the current schedule for reference:

• Ages 4–6 & 7–10: 4:15–5:00 PM
• Ages 11–12 & 13–18: 5:00–6:10 PM
• Ages 9–12: 6:10–7:00 PM

🦋 Butterfly Race Video

Below is a video of Torri Huske’s 100m butterfly race at the 2024 Paris Games.

Unlike sports such as basketball and football, swimming is not as widely televised or watched by young athletes. Watching high-level races can help motivate swimmers while also giving them examples of excellent technique.

A few things to look for while watching:

• Her underwater dolphin kicks
• Her streamline
• How she moves forward through the water rather than up and down

Watch Torri Huske’s 100m Butterfly

📅 October Parent Board Meeting

Wednesday, October 7 | 5:30–7:00 PMMcBean Pool

Attendance

Just a reminder that we do not take daily attendance, and there is no attendance requirement.

However, the more consistently swimmers attend, the more they will get out of the program. Swimmers may miss certain skills or techniques when they are absent. We do a lot of repetition and will reteach skills as needed, but there is a lot to learn during these first few weeks, especially for our new swimmers.

🎒 What to Bring to Practice

• Goggles
• Cap — if your child still needs a Lincoln Lightning cap, we have them available on deck
• Fins
• Water bottle
• Snorkel — optional for Gold Group
• Towel

⛳ Mayor’s Cup Golf Tournament

The Mayor’s Cup Golf Challenge supports the Mayor’s Cup Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships and recreation fee waivers to low-income families so Lincoln youth can participate in recreation programs regardless of household income.

Last season, these funds also helped support our first year as Lincoln Lightning in a summer swim league. The funding helped us purchase our Timedrops system, new pop-up tents, team shirts and caps, and equipment needed to run computers at meets.

If you are interested in participating in or sponsoring the event, please see the attached flyers.

I am also looking for raffle basket donations. If you own a business and would like to donate a raffle item or basket, please email me.

Let’s have a great week!

Go Lightning! ⚡💙

Coach Megan and Staff

Thank you to our 2026 sponsors!

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