OBST Newsletter // November 2025
Happy Halloween, OBST families!
Since Nov. 1st is a Saturday, I thought I'd send this out today well before the weekend. I hope everyone has a fun-filled and safe evening of trick-or-treating! :)
As we enter the holiday season, we still have two fairly large competitions coming up. The first being GPAC's Gravy Bowl in Pensacola the weekend before Thanksgiving, followed by Auburn Aquatics' Christmas in Auburn Invitational the first weekend of December. If you haven't already, please mark your athletes commitments as necessary in SwimTopia.
It's going to be a busy end of the season and our training will stay up to par as we go through December. The Southeastern Swimming Short Course Championships are in February and will be here in the blink of an eye. We have a couple athletes who are SO close to qualifying times. To see the most up to date time standards, you can visit our website or go straight to: https://www.gomotionapp.com/
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/
Please continue reading the below content for this month's happenings, reminders, and general information.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
11/2 Sofia Lee (13)
11/10 Thomas Cooper (12)
11/19 Ayla Aultman (13) & Ezra Etheredge (11)
11/23 Ally Midkiff (15)
11/25 Jace Guy (7)
11/27 William Buck (8)
11/30 Isla Slay (12)
IMPORTANT DATES
THURS 11/6: This is the last high school swim meet in Fairhope for their season! 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 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 11/7 by NOON: ENTRIES/PAYMENTS FOR GRAVY BOWL ARE DUE!
There is about a week left to confirm attendance! Please mark your athlete's commitment in SwimTopia before the deadline. Everyone who has already confirmed their attendance to Gravy Bowl should have received an email from me this week with the breakdown of your balance. If you did not receive your balance, please let me know and I will happily inform you.
As usual, payments can be made either in person at the OBAC front desk or you may call the facility and we can process a CC over the phone. We accept cash, CC, or checks made out to "The City of Orange Beach".
TUES 11/11: NO PRACTICE - Facility is closed for Veteran's Day
FRI 11/21 - SUN 11/23: GPAC'S GRAVY BOWL IN PCOLA!
The meet invitation for this meet is available on the website calendar as well as attached. I will distribute the digital files for events, psych and heat sheets closer to date.
*** During the meet, UWF will also be hosting a championship football game and there will be permitted parking areas. Please refer to the meet invitation with the parking instructions and map provided for the lots provided for swim families. ***
MON 11/24 - FRI 11/28: NO PRACTICES HELD! Enjoy your Thanksgiving break! :)
If you are in town for the week, the pool will remain open the normal operating hours on Monday and Tuesday. I believe Wednesday the facility will close at noon. I will be working as a lifeguard, so If you decide to train this week (which I encourage - especially for those with or close to SES cuts) you are welcome to swim on your own time. I can always draw up a workout for you, too.
TUES 11/18 by NOON: ENTRIES/PAYMENTS FOR CHRISTMAS IN AUBURN ARE DUE!
The meet invitation is now up on the website calendar as well as attached here. Please mark your athlete's commitment in SwimTopia before the deadline. I currently see 12 athletes attending this meet. Should you be unable to attend a certain session (i.e. Friday night) for any reason, please specify that in the notes section within the SwimTopia calendar or mark accordingly in the events tab.
I will prepare all that this meet is more costly than most meets, being held at the university, as well as being a new meet of high interest. Individual fees begin at $11.00/event plus the normal SES and facility surcharges.
As usual, payments can be made either in person at the OBAC front desk or you may call the facility and we can process a CC over the phone. We accept cash, CC, or checks made out to "The City of Orange Beach".
FYI: I plan to attend the Christmas tree lighting in Opelika on Saturday evening and thought it might be fun to go together as a team. More details to come!
LOOKING AHEAD...
12/1 Registration for OBST Winter/Spring 2026 Opens
12/5-12/7 Christmas in Auburn Invitational
12/12 Last Practice for Fall Season
1/2 Registration for OBST Winter/Spring 2026 Closes
1/6 OBST Winter/Spring 2026 Begins
1/16-1/18 GPAC Winter Invitational
SWIM & TELL
Our Got GRIT? tee is now available (and in shortsleeve) through our Swim & Tri team portal! Purchase yours today and share that Mako pride! 
Swim Team Store Link:
https://www.SwimAndTri.com/
To access the portal from the web page without using the link above:
1. Load: www.SwimAndTri.com
2. Click on "Team Portal" at the top of the Categories section on the left side
3. Enter the following portal code: OBSTmakos
Now Hiring - Assistant Swim Coach!
MAKO OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to Ezra Etheredge for being November's Mako of the Month!
It's not possible to walk away from Ezra without a smile on your face; He is human sunshine! Ezra has only been swimming competitively for a little over a year and his drive and work ethic are admirable. He leads by example and his motivational quips keep everyone striving to be their best.