Good afternoon! As we embark on our new season -- and hope to "level up" our game this summer, there are a few things that can make the swim life this summer more productive.

1. Long, floating fins (sporti, bettertimes, finis, speedo, dolphin). These are shorter than diving fins, and are not short-blade fins. These usually need to be ordered, although some stingray families may have outgrown ones to sell, trade, or share. Fins for new swimmers help build (a) ankle flexibility (b) help develop good body position (c) help swimmers focus on specific technical work (breathing/arm movements), and often can help swimmers swim with proper technique longer (especially butterfly!).

2. Slide-style flip flops -- that can get wet. If you have a child learning (or struggling to learn) breaststroke kick, these are helpful!

3. Old (or cheap) CLEAN tie-on sneakers. These are only for intermediate and advanced swimmers in the 5th-12th grades ... we're going to work those legs, a lot especially in the early weeks of training. Please make sure sneakers are CLEAN. These must not be worn to practice or in the streets.

4. Goggles. Avoid goggles that say "easy adjust" -- your children will spend more time adjusting them than swimming. Find a pair -- preferably tinted and suitable for outdoor competition -- with replaceable straps. Sporti S2 mirrored, speedo vanquisher, arena, tyr (Jr or adult sizes) are some good brands. Please be aware that they also make recreational goggles. You want competition goggles, as they generally stay in place better.

You also will want to replace the strap they come with with a bunjee or oggle strap that will look something like this:

these are easy to adjust, don't break easily, and will help keep those goggles on!

Lastly, if your child has a lot of hair -- we strongly encourage a swim cap. Long hair will wind up in your child's mouth and eyes -- and like the "easy adjust goggles" your child will spend much more time getting their hair out of their face, than swimming. We also encourage everyone to wear caps at the swim meet -- show that Stingray Spirit!

I'm so excited to have so many returning -- and new -- swimmers again this summer. There's still plenty of time to register more of your friends -- and help us level up our swim game once again!

See you around the pool!

Coach Lisa