Hello Sharks Parents,

I hope all is well; and that you're looking forward to the 2023 summer swim season!

Registration begins next Monday, April 10, at the Wood Dale Park District Recreation Complex (WDPD). WDPD hours and info can be found here. Registration info and forms on our Sharks website can be found here, but registration must be in-person, and only at the WDPD. Register by May 6 and get a free official Sharks swim cap. MAKE SURE TO BRING EVERY FAMILY YOU KNOW WITH SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN IN WOOD DALE-ADDISON WITH YOU!

On Wednesday, April 12th, 6-8pm, and again on Saturday, April 15th, 11am -1pm, a Sharks info table will be present, and will feature sample swimsuit sizes to try on. This year, the Sharks will have official uniforms from 23 Aquatics, and our team webstore will be available within days. Team apparel can be purchased from the same webstore as last year, also soon to be available. Links will be on our website soon, too.

There are some other new features this season, including a Swimathon fundraiser (hopefully no candy sales), the return of the WDPD concession stand, the return of the waterpark trip, a Sharks Rock n Wheels tent on Thursday nights (Sharks suits!), and the Sharks hosting A Conference on July 22. A Stroke Clinic at the Addison Pool, in May, is also a good possibility.

In order to keep the FUNd fee low, the Sharks are in need of replacing the sponsorship relationships that have been lost since our merger and the pandemic. If you own a business, or have a relationship with owners of businesses, or work for a company with charitable/donation programs, please contact me to discuss it. Every little bit helps.

Speaking of lost relationships, it seems that we will lose at least 3 parents who performed a disproportionate amount of judging and scorekeeping roles. Not only can we not operate a season without replacing them, we need at least a half dozen parents to step up and start acting as meet officials; in order to alleviate the burden of the remaining parents who act in those capacities. Please take the time to attend officials' training courses this year. It's not hard, it's not long, and it's worth twice as much as roles like timekeeping, towards meeting volunteer deposit requirements this year. Judge training info can be found on our site and training dates can be found here.

We're also in need of parents to help out with fundraising, social, and conference planning committees. Please email us at [email protected] and let us know which committee you choose. Better yet, join all of them! Yay!

Feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions, and I look forward to seeing all of you at the Shark Tank!

John Regan

Parent Club President