Hi Barracuda Families,

The start of the 2026 swim season is right around the corner, and we’re looking forward to another great summer! Below you’ll find a mix of important updates and reminders—including the last call for personalized and non-personalized swim caps and sweatshirts (due May 12), along with pep rally themes, key dates, and volunteer needs to help you get ready for the season.

📅 Upcoming Dates to Remember

• May 12 – Swim Cap & Sweatshirt Orders Due
• May 22 – Car Flag Orders Due
• May 28 – First Day of Practice
• June 1 – Last Day to Register (before $50 late fee)
• June 1 – Team Suit Try-On with SportFair (4–6 PM)
• June 4 – Welcome Back Potluck & New Parent Orientation (6 PM @ Pool)
• June 12 – Time Trials Setup
• June 13 – Time Trials

🛍️ Team Merchandise – Order Deadlines Approaching

Don’t miss the last call for team gear!

• Swim Caps: $18
• Sweatshirts: $45
• Car Flags: $15 (new this year!)

Order Deadlines:

• Caps & Sweatshirts: May 12
• Car Flags: May 22

All orders must be placed through the website.

👉 When ordering caps, car flags and sweatshirts, please include your last name (and sweatshirt size) in the personalization field to ensure accurate delivery.

🚗 Car Flags
Heading to an away meet? Grab a Barracuda car flag and show your team pride before you even hit the pool. It’s a fun way to spot teammates on the road and bring the energy wherever we go.

🩱 Swimsuit Try-On

Suit try-on will be held Monday, June 1 (4–6 PM) at the pool. This is the only on-site opportunity to try suits and goggles.

If you can’t attend, you can order through our SwimOutlet team store (linked on the website). You can also shop anywhere on SwimOutlet—just be sure to select Hollin Meadows Barracudas (hmbarracudas) so the team receives credit.

🎉 Pep Rally Themes & Social Calendar

We’re finalizing pep rally themes and social events and will be posting everything soon. A full calendar is attached for planning purposes—start thinking about costumes now!

Themes will also be posted:

• On the website under each meet
• On the bulletin board outside the women’s bathhouse

📱 Remind App

Throughout the season, we’ll use Remind for quick updates (weather, delays, etc.).

👉 To sign up for Hollin Meadows Swim Team 2026 notifications, please use the link: https://www.remind.com/join/789ac22

🍩 Donut Tuesdays

Donut Tuesdays are back—and we need your help!

We’re looking for 5 volunteers each week to bring donuts. Details and sign-ups are available on the website under Events. This is a great option for working parents to earn volunteer points.

📝 Registration

Registration is now open on the website. All swimmers must register each season, including current winter swimmers.

To register:

• Log in to the site
• Go to Home → Registration

Deadline: June 12
Late Fee: $50 after June 1

As a reminder, all swimmers must be fully registered in the system before attending practice.

Mini Barracuda Program
Our Mini Barracuda program is designed for younger or developing swimmers who aren’t quite ready for the full team just yet.

This program is a great fit for swimmers who are:

• Still building confidence in the water
• Working toward swimming a full length of the pool independently
• Looking for a fun, supportive introduction to swim team basics

Mini Barracudas will focus on:

• Stroke development and technique
• Water safety and endurance
• Gaining confidence in a team environment

Program Groups & Times:

• Minnows (commuter parents): 8 – 8:30
• Barracudas: 8:45–9:15
• Minnows: 9:30–10:00
• Guppies: 10:15–10:45

To ensure quality instruction, each group will be capped at 10 swimmers.

The program will be led by Sayla Runnels and a fantastic group of coaches, with the goal of helping swimmers build skills and confidence as they prepare to transition to the full team.

More details, including program structure and expectations, are available on the website.

🏊 Swim Team Tryouts (New Swimmers)

New swimmers must attend a tryout and be able to swim one length of the pool (any stroke) without assistance.

Indoor Tryout (Mt. Vernon Rec Center – 6:45 PM):

• May 17

Outdoor Tryouts:

• June 1 (afternoon)
• June 2 (afternoon)

To sign up, email:
[email protected]
[email protected]

🤝 Sponsorship Opportunities

We’re looking for local businesses and families to support the team this season. Sponsorships help fund equipment, events, and team traditions—and are a great way to support the Barracudas.

New this year:

• Mail in a check using our sponsorship form
• Sponsor online through our website

🏁 NVSL Officials — We Need Your Help

Several longtime officials are graduating, and we need new parents to step in. Simply put: we cannot run meets without certified officials.

No experience is needed—training is provided, and it’s a great way to stay engaged on deck.

Important Update for 2026:
All NVSL clinics are in-person only (no virtual options).

👉 If you plan to attend a clinic or recertify, please email Lauren at [email protected] so we can plan coverage.

Saturday, May 16 — 8–10 AM

• New Referee — Shouse Village
• Stroke & Turn (New/Recert) — Sleepy Hollow Bath & Racquet

Sunday, May 17 — 8–10 AM

• New Starter — Pleasant Valley

Wednesday, May 20 — 7–9 PM

• Ref/Starter Recert — Little Hunting Park
• Ref/Starter Recert — Old Keene Mill

Saturday, May 30 — NVSL University (NVSLU) | 8 AM–1 PM
Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA

• New Referee — 8–10 AM
• New Starter — 8–10 AM
• Ref/Starter Recert — 8–10 AM
• Meet Maestro Training — 8–10 AM
• Chief Timer Clinic — 9–10 AM
• Stroke & Turn (New/Recert) — 10:30 AM–12:30 PM

Sunday, June 7 — 8–10 AM

• Stroke & Turn — Orange Hunt
• Stroke & Turn — High Point Pool

Sunday, June 14 — 8–10 AM

• New Referee or Starter — Rolling Valley
• Ref/Starter Recert — Crosspointe
• Ref/Starter Recert — Sully Station II

Wednesday, June 17 — 7–9 PM

• Stroke & Turn — Hayfield Farm
• Stroke & Turn — Sleepy Hollow Recreation Association

⭐ New Referee/Starter clinics are for new officials only and cannot be used for recertification.

We’re looking forward to an incredible season—see you on deck soon!

Go Barracudas,
Lauren & Michelle