Hi makos, 

Here's to October! Please continue reading the below content for this month's happenings, reminders, and general information. 

Reminder that those renewing or establishing their USA Swimming membership for 2026 are available to do so if not already. Current memberships will expire at the end of the year. 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/omr/welcome/B76C5D99FAD541

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
10/3 Josh Blair (14)
10/3 Natalie Kirby (12)
10/4 Katelyn Hamilton (14)
10/18 Kinsey Carden (14)
10/28 Lowery Harrelson (7) 

IMPORTANT DATES
THURS 10/2: There is a high school swim meet in Fairhope! If you have a swimmer who is in Orange or Junior group, please remember that their practices will adjust in order to accomodate our limited staffing and facility hours best. 

Orange swimmers who attend OBES should be dismissed as walkers tomorrow and will be picked up by coaches at the crosswalk. Practice is from 3-4 p.m. Junior swimmers will have practice moved and held from 4-5 p.m. 

*** This will be the schedule every Thursday in which there is a high school swim meet being held. ***

SAT 10/4 - SUN 10/5: The CMSA Vance Rose Invitational in Mobile is to take place this weekend at Bishop State Community College's natatorium. Those families attending should have already received the athlete events and the psych sheet. I know there is some confusion on the timeline. We will not know concrete warm-up details until the digital heat sheet is distributed (supposed to be by EOD today, 10/1). I will update accordingly and your patience is appreciated. 

TUES 10/7: NO PRACTICE HELD! The Orange Beach Middle & High School swim team is hosting a home swim meet at the facility for their season this afternoon. Enjoy a little breather or come cheer on fellow Mako Nation athletes! 

THURS 10/9 - MON 10/13: NO PRACTICES HELD! Enjoy the Fall break! 

MON 10/13 by NOON: I will need to have all commitments for our OBST Spooktacular meet on tobe held on Saturday, 10/18 marked in SwimTopia. Once I confirm who is all attending, I will conduct entries and have them sent out to you as well as posted in SwimTopia. 

We are charging a facility fee of $5.00/athlete. Please have payments made by the EOD on Wednesday 10/15. Payments can be made in cash/check/card at the front desk of OBAC or over the phone (credit card fees will be applied). 

PSA: We encourage any and all to wear/bring their best Halloween spirit! :) 

SAT 10/18: We are hosting our OBST Spooktacular swim meet! Currently it looks to be a dual meet between us and Foley's Tideriders. It will be an early morning, but the goal is to have everything wrapped by 12:30 p.m. 

Warm-ups will begin at 8 a.m. and the meet is to begin at 9 a.m. 

Further details surrounding volunteer positions will be sent closer to date. We will need parent volunteers, especially for timing!

THURS 10/23: There is a high school swim meet! If you have a swimmer who is in Orange or Junior group, please remember that their practices will adjust in order to accomodate our limited staffing and facility hours best. 

Orange swimmers who attend OBES should be dismissed as walkers tomorrow and will be picked up by coaches at the crosswalk. Practice is from 3-4 p.m. Junior swimmers will have practice moved and held from 4-5 p.m. 

THURS 10/30: There is a high school swim meet! If you have a swimmer who is in Orange or Junior group, please remember that their practices will adjust in order to accomodate our limited staffing and facility hours best. 

Orange swimmers who attend OBES should be dismissed as walkers tomorrow and will be picked up by coaches at the crosswalk. Practice is from 3-4 p.m. Junior swimmers will have practice moved and held from 4-5 p.m. 

FRI 10/31: NO PRACTICE HELD! HAPPY HALLOWEEN! :) 

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
I have been introducing our athletes to some gentle, beginner yoga! If you would like to embrace their inner yogi while helping them balance their mind, body, and breath, feel free to read and watch the following programing from Swimming Specific Yoga. It's healthy fun for the entire family!

https://swimswam.com/yoga-for-swimmers-four-essential-yoga-poses-for-every-swimmer/