OBST Newsletter // Sept 2025
A happy Labor Day weekend, OBST! I hope you enjoy your Monday off. Thought I'd get this out to you now since I won't be in the office tomorrow.
This month we have a lot unfolding and multiple important dates to be aware of as we enter the beginning of short course competition season, high school competition season, and I can't believe I am saying it, but the holiday season is a hop and skip away.
I think it is best that moving forward I release important news and dates monthly instead of weekly. That way I am not flooding your inbox and there is one e-mail with everything crucial for the month in one place. I will of course provide reminders and notices in Slack. Also know that newsletters are always published to our website as well.
From now on, our newsletters will look more like the following (maybe a fun template in the future) and include teammate birthdays, suggested material to engage in (i.e. podcast episodes, technique videos, etc.) to share with your favorite athlete and/or talk about at the dinner table.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
9/2 Bodie Powell (9)
9/7 Caroline Vogel (11)
9/14 Martha Kincaid (8)
9/15 Ryker Slay (9)
9/16 Amelia Chiseev (11)
IMPORTANT DATES
MON 9/1: As of today, those renewing or establishing their USA Swimming membership may do so. Being a member of USAS will allow you to enter USAS-sanctioned competitions (non-rec league meets), provide additional liability insurance for your athletes at meets, receive a subscription to the sport's SPLASH magazine and other additional benefits. You will login on the USAS website and start the registration process here for the upcoming swim year 9/01/25-08/31/2026: https://omr.usaswimming.org/om
* This will need to be completed for establishing members before entry submission if planning to attend PCB. *
WED 9/3 by NOON: I will need to have all commitments for PCB meet on 9/19-21 marked in SwimTopia. Once I confirm who is all attending, I will conduct entries and inform you of your entry fees to be paid no later than EOD 9/5. Payments can be made in cash/check/card at the front desk of OBAC or over the phone (credit card fees will be applied).
If your swimmer is listed as "undeclared" I will assume you are NOT attending the meet. If you are having trouble in SwimTopia, please let me know via e-mail or the Slack app and I will mark it for you.
MON 9/8: The Southeastern Team Services Rep of USA Swimming, Terry Jones, will be conducting club visits to our area and specifically OBST on Monday, 9/8. Mr. Jones will be on deck with me to meet and speak with athletes and parents, answer questions, educate parents about our sport from the grassroots level to higher competition, and observe/assist with practices. This is a big deal of recognition for us and I do encourage everyone to exemplify their best mako pride.
MON 9/15 by NOON: I will need to have all commitments for CMSA's Vance Rose Invitational taking place on Oct. 4th-5th by noon today. Please mark in SwimTopia as you have before. Once I confirm who is all attending, I will conduct entries and inform you of your entry fees to be paid no later than EOD 9/17. Payments can be made in cash/check/card at the front desk of OBAC or over the phone (credit card fees will be applied).
If your swimmer is listed as "undeclared" I will assume you are NOT attending the meet. If you are having trouble in SwimTopia, please let me know via e-mail or the Slack app and I will mark it for you.
THURS 9/18: There will be no practice for the senior group as they will be competing at a HS meet in Daphne that evening. I mentioned this to orange and junior parents previously via Slack, but please make note that on the Thursdays in which a HS meet is held, orange will practice from 3-4 p.m. (I will pick up at OBES) and junior will practice from 4-5 p.m.
FRI 9/19 - SUN 9/21: Tropic Like it's Hot Open in Panama City Beach. Those swimming on Friday evening will have warm-up around 3 p.m. with the meet beginning at 4:30 p.m. The meet timeline is included in the meet invitation. It is attached here as well as the sign-up calendar.
If you are NOT swimming in PCB, there is obviously no practice on Friday.
Those attending the meet may have Monday, 9/22 off if desired.
LOOKING AHEAD...
10/2 HS Meet (Orange 3-4p / Junior 4-5p)
10/4-10/5 CMSA Vance Rose Invitational
10/7 HS Meet (Orange 3-4p / Junior 4-5p)
10/18 OBST Spooktacular
10/23 HS Meet (Orange 3-4p / Junior 4-5p)
10/30 HS Meet (Orange 3-4p / Junior 4-5p)
11/6 HS Meet (Orange 3-4p / Junior 4-5p)
11/21-11/23 GPAC Gravy Bowl
12/5-12/7 Auburn Winter Invitational
SWIM & TELL
If you didn't know, I am a big fan of the podcast Unfiltered Waters hosted by former Olympic swimmers Katie Hoff and Missy Franklin. It's an engaging podcast with impressive guests from rising athletic talent, to renowned coaches, to globally recognized and decorated names in the sport. Topics are well balanced ranging from goofy to serious in nature and always paired with an inspirational take-away for athletes. It's fun to watch the podcast on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/
Best,
Coach Dakota