It’s finally time for the Dominion Hills Thunder Ducks 2022 Dive Season! Practice starts in less than a month and we can’t wait to get started!

This message is being sent to last year’s parents and to those that have already registered for this season. To reach everyone, we’ll include last year’s parents in our email messaging only until practices start.

Please note that we have a new team website address at https://dhdive.swimtopia.com

Registration

Registration is open for the season at the site listed above. The first diver is $130 with a $20 discount for each subsequent sibling, ($130, $110, $90). Remember that each athlete will receive a free T-Shirt with their registration and additional spirit wear items are available for purchase during registration. We accept new members all season long, so while registration never really closes and we do not have a membership cap, we do have a hard deadline of May 6 to order spirit wear and receive your free T-Shirt.

Spiritwear

If you decide not to purchase spiritwear during registration, you can always return to the website and purchase them from the team store. The May 6 deadline still applies. The store will close after that date.

Swimsuits

Competitive swim suits can be expensive. You are not required to purchase the DH team suit. However, if you do wish to purchase one, they are available for purchase in person at SportFair on Lee Highway. Ask for the Dominion Hills teams suit. Images and pricing will be posted to the website soon. If last year’s suit still fits, that’s great. Any swimsuit will do, but girls should wear one piece suits. There is no deadline for the team suit.

Practices

Monday through Thursday Evening practices will start this year on May 23. Practices run from 7PM – 9PM, and you will pick the best one hour slot for your schedule (7 or 8).

Monday through Friday Morning practices will start on June 20 and will run from 7:00AM – 10:00AM. The final day of practice for those not continuing to divisionals is July 15. Same as above, you pick which one hour slot you prefer. Reminder that practices on Tuesday mornings are reserved for those competing in that night’s A meet.

Please monitor the website, particularly the Practice Schedule page, for more details including days when we do not have practice, such as Memorial Day and Independence Day.

If your child also swims, we are flexible, and attending a partial practice is Ok. Just let us know.

Meets

This year, we remain in Division 4 and have five A meets with two B meets (All Arlington and a home meet against Arlington Forest) and the Cracker Jack meet.

Our first A meet is June 22, please check the schedule on the website for more details. As a reminder, you can sync the pool calendar with your personal calendar by clicking the subscribe link on the schedule page.

It helps us out greatly if you could please visit the meet schedule on Swimtopia and please mark the meets as available or not available. It helps us plan meet lineups if we know in advance who can and cannot be there. To clarify, we are not asking if you will or will not compete, just that you can or cannot be there due to vacations, camps, etc. We will later select meet competitors from those that CAN be there.

I’m attaching a printable refrigerator-ready calendar.

Volunteers

We cannot have a successful season without wonderful parent volunteers. There are many ways you can help around the pool at meets, including buying and managing concessions, and may jobs around the meet management itself. Please consider attending one of the below classes to learn more about how these roles work. More details and pool address information can be found on the league website at https://dive.mynvsl.com

Meet Table Workers Clinic – June 5 - 9:45 AM – Sideburn Run

Judges Clinic -June 5 – 9:45 AM – Sideburn Run

Judges Clinic – June 15 - 6:30 PM – Truro Pool

Judges Clinic – June 15 - 6:30 PM – Truro Pool

Judging clinic plug

You do not have to attend the judging clinic to judge, but I strongly encourage everyone to attend even if you do not intend to judge a meet. It is a great way to learn more about the sport and what your child is attempting to do. Very few new parents to diving understand the ins and outs of this niche sport, so these judge clinics provide a great foundation for what diving is and will help you talk to your child about it, which can help them remain interested in the sport.

Team Rep Succession

If anyone is interested in becoming team reps, please let us know and we can begin the process of having you shadow us to learn what’s involved. This is typically a two-year commitment, so looking for someone to take over for the next two years.

That’s it for now. If you have any questions, please send them our way. We look forward to seeing you on deck!

Thanks,

Angela and Thomas