Welcome to the 2026 Fighting Turtles season!

We are so excited to get this season underway. We wanted to share the following information prior to our first practice.

• Practice for the 2026 Swim Season will begin on Monday, April 13th.

There will be no "water" practice on this day. Instead, please come at your assigned practice group (A, B, or C) to meet the coaches and your new teammates.

For returning swimmers, please plan to come to the group you were assigned last year.

For new swimmers, please plan to come to the group Coach Logan assigned you during your evaluation. If you have an evaluation on 4/13 and do not have a group yet, come to the meeting closest (after or before) your scheduled evaluation time.

Parents, please plan to attend the practice with your swimmer. The Fighting Turtles Board will host a welcome meeting that will include a short presentation about the season and be available to answer questions about volunteering, swim meets and what to expect this season.

Meeting Times are:

Group B (the intermediate swimmers) 4:00pm

Group A (our novice swimmers) 5:00 pm

Group C (the advanced swimmers) 5:45 pm

• SPIRIT NIGHT @ Whit’s – Monday, April 13^th 4pm – 8pm
  • Head over to Whit’s Frozen Custard (185 Murabella Parkway, 32092) after the parent meeting and kick off the season with some ice cream
  • 10% of sales are donated to the Fighting Turtles

• Equipment list- each swimmer will be required to have the following for practice after 4/13:
  • Please reference the Team’s Equipment listed on Swimoutlet.com https://www.swimoutlet.com/collections/wgvfightingturtles
  • Goggles
  • Fins
  • Water bottle
  • Towel
  • Bathing suits

• Deck Leader Program

Calling all swimmers ages 13-17 to apply for the New Deck Leader Program (formerly called Jr. Coaches). For information about qualifications and responsibilities, please visit the Swimmer Volunteer subtab on our website or click here. These verified volunteer hours can be used for community service hours, job, and school applications. To apply click here.

• OPEN Volunteer Positions
  • Social Media Volunteer – this is a season-long position that will fulfill your volunteer requirement. Maintain social media platforms during season by posting bi-weekly and weekly communications about practice schedule, practice changes, RSVP’ing for swim meets, Swim Meet Information, Sponsor Shout-outs, and any team events planned throughout the season.
  • Head Meet Official – any parents that grew up swimming or are familiar with running swim meets, WE NEED YOU! Our home swim meets, require an HMO on deck and trained to run our swim meets. This position does require extra training by the St. Johns Summer Swim League and to fulfill this position be at our Home Meets (May 9, May 16, May 30 and June 13)

Questions?  Please email the team at: [email protected]

The Board and Coaches are excited about a fun filled season! Looking forward to seeing everyone at the pool!