Hi Gators!

I have a lot in this email so please read to the end so you don't miss a thing!

Smoky Mountain Meet Information

When is this meet? 11& Older swimmers will swim on Saturday, June 11th. 10&under swimmers will swim on Sunday, June 12th. This is an ALL DAY meet. Please read below for more info!

RSVPs for SMI are needed by Sunday, June 21 at 12noon. NO LATE RSVPs ACCEPTED.

Please let us know whether your child is attending OR not attending this meet! You will also pay the swimmer entry fee. Please visit our website to RSVP and pay for the SMI meet: 2026 Schedule - Gulfwood Gators Swim Team

What is this meet? This meet is a very large meet with lots of kids, however those who attend love it because it is one of a kind and a great opportunity for fast swimming! The meet is held at Springbrook Pool - 636 Vose Rd, Alcoa, TN 37701. About 20 minutes form Cedar Bluff.

Any swimmer who has swam in a USA Swimming sanctioned meet within the last 365 days is not eligible for participation in this meet.

This meet is run like a dual meet; however, on a much larger scale! All swimmers regardless of age are required to go a clerk of course to be seated for their race. This is just like during our dual meets but think on a much bigger scale. The pool will have many speakers set up around the tent areas and will be "calling" when to come to the clerk of course for races. The announcer will make a 1st call, 2nd call and 3rd and final call. Swimmers who fail to report to clerk of course will not be allowed to swim their races.

It is an outdoor meet thus we are all subject to what mother nature has in store for us. I have been to this meet where it is absolutely beautiful the entire two days and I have also been where it storms over and over again. If it does storm, they must follow pool safety protocol and the meet will then be delayed. With a typical nice sunny day, the meet is over around 3:00 for our younger swimmers and 4:00-5:00 for our older swimmers.

More information about SMI for families can be found here: Event Info | SMI | SMI

Family Fun Night Tuesday, June 23

• No evening practice on Tuesday, June 23. We hope to see you ALL at Family Fun Night! Little Gator families included!
• Our professional photographer (Brandon Bowling) will be set up to take individual swimmer/sibling photos at the pool starting at 4:30. Photo packages will be available to purchase.
• The 2026 Gulfwood Gators TEAM photo will take place at 5:30 PM. Everyone wear black swimsuits for this photo! 
• There will be food trucks to purchase meals at the pool! Food trucks will be available for food orders at 5:00. Trucks include: Hamburger Hill, Porton Mexican, and Irveys Ice Cream.
• Fun/Free swim 6:00-8:00 PM. NOBODY should get in the water before free swim begins!!!
• Suit Swap: Do you have a Gulfwood team suit or practice suits that your swimmer has outgrown? Consider bringing them to our Swimsuit Donation & Swap during Fun Night! Drop off donations with Suzanne Roger at Family Fun night and she will organize them by size. Parents of any swimmer are welcome to come look through the available options and take a suit at no cost! Please donate suits if you can!

NEW Gator Clinics:

• We will host two (possibly more if we can find the time!) clinics to perfect some specific swim skills.
• Monday, June 29: "Sprint Clinic with Coach Avery" 10:45-11:45 AM. 
• Monday, July 6: "Starts and Turns" 10:45-11:45 AM. 
• These clinics are open to all 11&Up swimmers, please check back on our team schedule to register for these clinics! 

Upcoming Meet RSVP/Volunteers needed:

• Our next meet will be a HOME meet on Tuesday, June 30 vs Crestwood Hills. RSVP's for this meet are due on Thursday, June 25.
• Please note that swimmers who wish to compete in the GKAISA city meet MUST have competed in at least 2 dual meets or Smoky Mountain. (Our Tailgators meet is NOT included).
• We need a few volunteers to smoke pork butts for this meet to sell at concessions. The pork will be provided! If you are willing and able please reach out to Jessica Wise ([email protected], 865-789-8154).

That's all I have for now! As always, reach out with any questions!

Coach Joy