Pelican Post - September 1, 2025

Kaitlynn Hoffman

Good morning Pelicans,

The new season is here, and I can’t wait to see everyone back on deck! Our 2025–2026 season officially kicks off this week, and I want to share a few important reminders as we get started.

Coach’s Corner
September Payment: The first automatic deduction occurs Monday, September 1 for all swimmers on the regular monthly payment plan (excludes Copper, anyone who has paid the annual fee up front, and Hope Scholar swimmers). 

  • If you want to see what you will be charged each month, you can click on the “Simulate Billing” option on the app and website under the Billing Summary Tab.
  •  Please reach out to me if you see any issues with the draft - this is the first time our platform has run in this capacity. 

USA Swimming registration is officially open! An email with this link will be sent to your primary email account. Please make sure to complete your registration by September 12 so we’re all set for the season.

Practices and Parent Orientations are getting underway this week, and I can’t wait to see everyone back on deck. Let’s start the season strong together!

Parent Orientations & Practice Notes
Practices are back in full swing, and orientations for each group are coming up soon:

  • Junior/Senior: First Day Aug. 20 | Orientation Aug. 25 at 5:30 pm
  • Homeschool: Sept. 3 at 2:00 pm
  • Bronze/Silver: Sept. 3 at 6:30 pm
  • Gold: Sept. 4 at 6:30 pm
  • Copper: Sept. 8 at 5:00 pm (Homeschool Copper at 2:45 pm)

Please plan to arrive prepared. All swimmers (except Copper) should be on deck 15 minutes early to stretch and get ready. Copper swimmers can wait until called down. Gear bags should be packed the night before — goggles, fins, sneakers, everything ready to go. And don’t forget: if your hair reaches your eyebrows, it needs to be under a cap. Silicone caps are best, and fun designs are always welcome!

Fuel for Fast Swimming
Strong swimming starts with good nutrition. Take a look at the new Nutrition Guide posted under the Health & Nutrition tab on our website. And if you’re rushing between school and practice, remember the Wellness Café is now open in the evenings. You can grab a meal before practice or a smoothie afterward. (Food is welcome in the bleachers but not on deck.)

Meets & Season Information
We’ve got an exciting lineup of meets this fall! Be sure to mark your calendars:

  • EPSC Early Season HOME Meet – Sept. 27
  • FOX Fall Invitational – Oct. 18–19
  • FAST Distance/Sprint – Oct. 25–26
  • Mountain State Storm Turkey Invitational – Nov. 8–9

Full details are posted under the 2025–2026 Season tab and in the Meets & Events section on the website and SportsEngine app.

Finally, we’ll soon be moving team communication to TeamUnify. Please take a moment to make sure your family’s email addresses are correct in the system so you don’t miss updates.