NVSL Season Announcement
Thu, 5-7-2020 | Nancy Jessen
Dear NVSL Swimmers, Divers, Families, Volunteers and Sponsors,
Planning for the 2020 season began even as the 2019 season came to a close. We eagerly looked forward to commemorating our 65th anniversary as a league of more than 17,000 incredible swimmers and divers. As we know, the spread of the COVID-19 virus resulted in significant changes in our plans and daily lives. Despite our best efforts to gather as much information about the implications of COVID-19 to confidently hold a potential season, we have reached the difficult decision that the 2020 season must be canceled. We feel profound sadness knowing the disappointment this will cause, but the decision was made to prioritize the safety of our participants, supporters, and communities.
Over the last eight weeks, both the Executive Board and the full League Board met more than a dozen times to monitor the ongoing developments related to COVID-19. We gathered input from public health officials, as well as elected and appointed representatives from all levels of government. Most importantly, we sought input from all 102 teams through the 17 Division Coordinators. The common thread in the feedback, along with the disappointment of missing a special summer tradition, was the commitment to health and safety. The Board greatly appreciates the constructive conversations that advanced the discussion on the status of the 2020 season. We took into account as much information as we could to determine whether the League could operate in a safe and healthy way that did not put overwhelming logistical and organizational pressure on the League’s teams.
We expect that teams will have many questions, and we will work quickly to answer where possible. At this moment, we can assure you of the following:
– Senior swimmers and divers will have the opportunity to apply for 2020 NVSL scholarships.
– Team dues will be fully refunded.
We are looking ahead and already planning how to make the 2021 season the best one yet.
Sincerely,
The NVSL Executive Board
FUN – DEVELOPMENT – TEAMWORK
2020 SWIM TEAM UPDATES
Parent’s Meeting and Swim Assessments Scheduled
The Swim Team Representatives will host a registration and parents’ meeting on Sunday, May 17, from 7–8 p.m. at the Lincolnia Senior Center. Given the size of our team, we have decided to move our parent meeting to the weekend so that more working parents can attend, and to a weather-proof location! At this meeting our swim-team leadership and coaches will provide an overview of the summer swim team. It’s a great opportunity to meet our fabulous coaches and catch up with old friends and meet new ones. We encourage new and returning families to attend the meeting.
The Parklawn Piranhas welcome members who are 18 years old and under to join the swim team. Swimmers are evaluated before they are invited to join the team. Swimmers need to swim: (1) freestyle at least 25 meters (1 lap) of the pool; and (2) backstroke at least 15 meters of the pool, unassisted and with a minimum stroke proficiency and endurance. Swimmers must also be able to listen, pay attention, and focus on our coaches’ instructions for a 45-minute-or-longer practice, participate in weekly “B” swim meets throughout the season, and be available to participate in “A” swim meets when requested by the coaches. This generally means that a swimmer is at least six years old. The team will hold swim-team assessments at Chinquapin Pool (3210 King Street, Alexandria). We will hold up to three assessments (depending on interest and swim team capacity level in March, April and May) and our first assessment will be on Sunday, March 29th from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Individual Evaluations will not be scheduled for your individual swimmer; your swimmer needs to attend one of the assessment dates.
ABOUT THE SWIM TEAM
Our Swim Team offers a fun summer experience! The Parklawn Piranhas Swim Team is a developmental and competitive swim team in the NVSL. We are a member of the Northern Virginia Swim League and take part in meets in June and July. The League schedules meets in accordance with team strength, so every event is hotly contested. The swim team’s coaches provide youngsters the training needed to develop strength, skill and stamina in the water, while allowing them to compete in a truly nurturing environment. An added benefit is the tremendous bond of friendship that develops, not only among kids of similar ages, but across all age groups, as older swimmers act as positive role models, providing assistance, encouragement and lessons in good sportsmanship to their younger teammates. Our team focuses on:
- Cultivating a love of swimming
- Providing a supportive environment where swimmers can do their best and improve their swimming skills
- Encouraging sportsmanship and teamwork
- Presenting leadership opportunities
- Offering team-building experiences through pep rallies and social events
Swim Team registration will open by March 1 and will close when we have reached capacity and no later than Saturday, June 13. Registration is processed on a first-come, first-served basis and priority is given to returning families. Families are not considered registered until they have completed all of the registration requirements. Completing the registration form alone is not sufficient. These requirements include (1) completing and signing the registration form; (2) paying the swim-team fees; and (3) signing up to staff the snack bar for 3 shifts (4 hours each) during the summer or paying to opt out ($200). Families must complete all of the registration requirements BEFORE their swimmer(s) will be allowed to attend swim-team practice.
The Swim Team Representatives will host a registration and parents’ meeting the weekend of May 16 & 17—time and location to be announced soon. We encourage new and returning families to attend the meeting.
The Parklawn Piranhas welcome members who are 18 years old and under to join the swim team. Swimmers are evaluated before they are invited to join the team. Swimmers need to swim: (1) freestyle at least 25 meters (1 lap) of the pool; and (2) backstroke at least 15 meters of the pool, unassisted and with a minimum stroke proficiency and endurance. Swimmers must also be able to listen, pay attention, and focus on our coaches’ instructions for a 45-minute-or-longer practice, participate in weekly “B” swim meets throughout the season, and be available to participate in “A” swim meets when requested by the coaches. This generally means that a swimmer is at least six years old. New families who are interested in joining the team should attend our low-key swim assessments that will be held in April and May. Evaluations will not be scheduled for your individual swimmer; your swimmer needs to attend one of the assessment dates.Questions? Contact us at parklawnpiranhas@gmail.com.
Our regular summer season is approximately 9 weeks starting after Memorial Day and ending July 25. We celebrate the season with a swim team banquet on Saturday, July 25. Swimmers who advance to NVSL Individual All Stars will practice for one more week and have a meet on Saturday, August 1. Every year, we have swimmers who advance to All Stars!
- We have approximately 5 “A” Meets and 5 “B” Meets against other NVSL swim teams:
- “A” Meets are held Saturday mornings and “B” Meets are held Monday evenings.
- Our team also participates in an NVSL Relay Carnival where swimmers compete in relay races with their team members.
While coaches select who swims at NVSL “A” Meets and Relay Carnival, all of our swimmers can and are encouraged to participate in “B” Meets. Our swimmers select the events that they would like to swim at our “B” Developmental Meets (with recommendations from our coaches)
SWIM TEAM FEES
- Swim Team Fee: $100 (one child) / $175 (two children) / $225 (three children) / $275 (four or more children). Dive team fees are separate.
The fee includes a team T-shirt and a swim team cap. Only registered Parklawn Pool members may join the swim team. If you are interested in our Mini-Piranhas developmental team and swim lesson program, please visit our Lessons & Classes page. The Mini-Piranhas developmental team and swim lesson program has different fees, depending on the level of instruction and number of sessions enrolled.
STAYING CONNECTED
PRIVATE GROUP: includes contact info, schedule, and much more, so everyone involved can stay up to date!