Otter Families,

Welcome to Week 2 of The Otter Weekly!

Another Sunday (well, Monday this week...) means another email, another round of updates, and one step closer to hearing whistles, splashes, starter beeps, and the words every swim & dive parent knows well:

“Do you have your suit?”

As always, please read through this email carefully as it contains important information for the upcoming weeks.

And remember, while schedules, practices, gear lists, and forms matter, our biggest goal is still the same:

Creating a summer full of friendships, confidence, laughter, team spirit, and memories, our Otters will carry long after the season ends.

Dive Practice Schedule

Dive families, as promised.... it’s your turn!

Evening Practices

Evening dive practices will run June 1 through June 9

13 & Over Group
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

12 & Under Group
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Morning Practices Begin

Starting June 10

8–11 Year Old Group
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM

11 & 12 Year Old Group
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

13 & Up Group
9:45 AM – 11:00 AM

As with swim, we may make adjustments early in the season as athletes settle into groups and we continue evaluating skills, comfort, and progression.

Please continue to expect a little flexibility during those first couple of weeks.

Orchard View Otters 2026 Practice Commitment & Training Plan

We are attaching the Orchard View Otters 2026 Practice Commitment & Training Plan Google Form, and all swimmers are asked to complete it.

Knowing where athletes intend to practice this season is especially important this year.

We know some club team schedules have changed, and that may mean more athletes practicing exclusively with Orchard View or splitting time differently than in previous summers.

This information helps us:

• Build practice groups
• Plan coaching coverage
• Prepare lane space
• Manage training loads
• Create stronger meet lineups
• Make sure athletes are getting the best experience possible

Summer swim is wonderfully chaotic, beautifully busy, and constantly moving.

The more information we have now, the better we can support everyone later.

Please complete this form (CLICK HERE) as soon as possible and no later than June 1ST.

Orchard View Otters Sportsmanship & Athlete Conduct Policy

This season, we are excited to introduce the new Orchard View Otters Sportsmanship & Athlete Conduct Policy.

This policy was created with one goal in mind:

To help continue building the kind of team culture we want our athletes to experience — one centered around respect, teamwork, leadership, inclusion, accountability, kindness, fun, and pride in being an Otter.

Summer swim and dive is about more than times, ribbons, and finishes. It is about learning how to support teammates, represent our team well, encourage others, compete respectfully, and create an environment where every athlete feels welcomed and valued.

Attached to this email, you will find:

• The Orchard View Otters Sportsmanship & Athlete Conduct Policy
• A link to the required Google acknowledgement form

Every family must review the policy and complete one form for each athlete participating this season.

We ask that families complete this form (CLICK HERE) as soon as possible so everyone starts the season with the same expectations and understanding.

The standards in this policy apply to athletes, coaches, families, and volunteers because creating a positive team experience is something we all do together.

Spirit Wear & Team Caps

Be on the lookout this week for:

• Spirit wear ordering information
• Team cap orders (including personalized caps)

Whether you’re returning to the deck in full Otter fashion or building your collection for the first time, ordering details are coming soon.

Swim & Dive Gear Checklist

As practices begin, here is a helpful list of recommended equipment for both practice and our meets.

Recommended Swim Gear

• Goggles (always have a backup pair… and then a just in case pair….. and don’t forget a totally different emergency pair…. trust us)
• Team suit
• Water bottle
• Towel
• Swim cap
• Flippers/Fins
• Kickboard
• Pull buoy
• Mesh equipment bag

Recommended Dive Gear

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Water bottle
• Dry clothes
• Extra t-shirt for practice
• Deck shoes or sandals
• Hair ties (if needed)

Equipment Note

We do have a supply of:

• Flippers
• Kickboards

However, with the number of athletes we have this year, we may not have enough equipment available for everyone during practice.

If families already own equipment and are able to send it with athletes, that would be extremely helpful.

If you are interested in purchasing your own gear, the list above can serve as your shopping guide.

Team Suit Information

Men’s Team Suit Options

• Speedo Endurance+ Solid Black Jammers
• Speedo Endurance+ Solid Black Briefs

Women’s Team Suit Options

• Speedo Endurance+ Solid Black Suit (whichever style you prefer is fine)
• Solid Black Jolyn Suit (whichever style you prefer is fine.)

Our Otter logo can be added to all of the suits.

Good news: D&J will be attending Time Trials with just about every swim and dive item you could possibly want. Think shopping spree!

They’ll have:

• Team suits
• Goggles
• Training gear
• Equipment
• Accessories

And they can press the Otters logo right on-site.

Final Thoughts

Every week, we’ll keep sharing updates, reminders, schedules, and all the moving pieces that come with summer swim and dive.

But underneath all of it is something pretty special:

Kids finding confidence.

New teammates becoming friends.

Older athletes becoming leaders.

Families building community.

And another summer of Otter memories getting ready to begin.

Until next week…

Stay fast. Stay loud. Stay Otterly awesome.