Hello OBST families returning and new, 

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday surrounded by their loved ones.

I am SO looking forward to seeing everyone's smiling face on deck next week! Practices will resume on Monday, January 6th starting with Blue (3:15-4 p.m.) and Orange, Junior, and Senior together (4-5:30 p.m.) Junior/Senior will not extend to 6 p.m. on T/TH for dryland until March. I want to keep all bodies in the warm water and not unnecessarily wet on deck until the time/seasonal change. 

A couple of things to be aware of ahead of next week: 

1) PLEASE help keep your swimmer hydrated. A water bottle is a must - even in colder weather. 

2) We will be moving our team store from SwimOutlet to Swim & Tri. Our team portal is not yet complete, but as soon as it is, I will provide parents the appropriate login information and update the website. The required equipment per group is listed on Swimtopia under "Programs" > "Uniform & Equipment". Please try to have all necessary gear no later than February. 

3) Attached you will find a form regarding your child's pick-up protocol. Please complete the form in advance of the first practice as OBES Principal Law, Sara Carroll, and I all keep an open line of communication to ensure safe and orderly transportation of student-athletes across the campus. Please, take a moment to complete digitally and return to me so that everyone is well-acquired for. I will be picking up Blue upon school dismissal at the crosswalk. Those in Orange or Junior, who are walkers, will report to EE first and then walk over to the pool at 3:45 to change and attend practice. An EE counselor will always be present to walk children to and from the EE building and the pool. 

4) For NEW parents, please take a moment to review the OBST Handbook and digitally sign and return the appropriate forms available to download on page 17.

For RETURNING parents, there have been a couple of minor updates to the handbook regarding competition payments--strictly terminology-- we will be operating as we have at the front desk regarding meet registrations. I do not need returning parents to complete new forms except for the pick-up approval form mentioned above. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. Let's kick off a fantastic new year and swim season! 

Best,

Dakota Heflin
Orange Beach Swim Team, Head Coach
Programs Coordinator | Parks and Recreation
City of Orange Beach
P. O. Box 458 | 4853 Wilson Blvd.
Orange Beach, AL 36561
o: 251-974-7946
c. 941-993-2734
www.orangebeachal.gov