Greetings Dolphins Families!

We hope you had an excellent holiday season. Although we’re still far away from summer, we did want to share some important scheduling and other information for your planning.

Summer 2023 Scheduling Changes

The summer 2023 schedule will be a bit different from recent past seasons due to Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) decision to extend the school year a week and the Northern Virginia Swimming League (NVSL) keeping its schedule largely as it has been. Due to the FCPS change expect:

• Three weeks of afterschool practice: tentatively beginning Tuesday, May 30. Two-a-day practices begin the week of June 19.
  
• Time Trials: TBD but likely Saturday, June 10.
  
• First competitive “A Meet”: This is definitely happening Saturday, June 17 – the day after FCPS lets out.
  
• Little Dolphins: Prep program for younger swimmers will likely begin with swim test on either June 19 or June 20.
  
• First “B Meet”: TBD but could be as early as Saturday, June 3. We realize B Meets are usually on Mondays and this date is before Time Trials but we’re looking at ways we could avoid having the meet on a Monday evening during the school year.
  

The FCPS calendar changes create something of a scheduling mess to start the season – but we’ll get through it while trying to find the least disruptive options. Please remember these dates as you make June plans. The NVSL Divisionals Meet, when the Dolphins traditionally hold our end-of-season banquet, is Saturday, July 22. NVSL has some limited scheduling information available here.

Call for New Team Reps & Volunteer Leads

Tom LoCascio and Frederick Hill are returning for a third season (one more than the Waynewood tradition) this summer but the Dolphins do need new leaders to step up. Please consider reaching out to the current team reps ([email protected]) to learn more about possibly serving as a team rep or in another lead volunteer position. It’s an incredibly rewarding experience where you’ll learn more about swimming, meet your neighbors, and play a role helping your kids and their friends that they’ll never forget.

Prep opportunities for summer

If your swimmer is looking to boost swim skills and competitiveness before the summer season begins, consider a summer prep program with the Potomac Marlins or another local club. We haven’t seen summer prep programs open yet, but that typically happens in March and practices are usually around two days a week in the afternoon beginning in April and going through May. These programs will give an experienced swimmer a boost and it could be especially meaningful in a season when we’ll start meets before full summer practices.

It's also an opportunity to try out a swimming club without making a full-year commitment and can benefit kids who are already in Dolphins' winter swim and those who aren’t (but it isn’t a lean-to-swim program for beginners). If you’re interested, let the team reps know ([email protected]) and we can point you in the right direction.

Separately, our Waynewood Dolphins winter swim program is currently at capacity. However, we do maintain a waitlist. To get on it, email our Winter Swim Team Rep ([email protected]).

Take care and please share this email with new families who may be interested in registering swimmers. We typically open summer season registration in the latter half of April.

Tom LoCascio & Frederick Hill
Waynewood Dolphins Team Reps