About the Delta Marlins

The Delta Marlins Swim Team is an AAU affiliated swim team and a part of the Southwind Swim Conference. The Southwind Swim Conference includes PAC Dolphins from Pocahontas, the Jonesboro Jets, the Dart Frogs from Jonesboro, the Mt. Home Hurricanes, and the Greene County Gators from Paragould.

The Delta Marlins, originally named the Wynne Marlins, has been swimming competitively since 2003 and proud to be 4 time state champions. The tradition continues as we broaden our team to include any swimmers in the Delta region.

The Marlins begin practice each year the Tuesday after Memorial Day and continue practice on each Monday - Thursday. Advanced swimmers practice from 8am - 10am and beginner swimmers practice from 9am - 10am at the Ridgecrest Club at 264 SFC 310, Forrest City, AR.

Expectations for Swimmers

1. Have great attitudes and cheer each other on
2. Listen to the coach and parents
3. Show great sportsmanship and teamwork
4. Work hard in practice
5. Believe in yourself

Swimmers can wear any modest swimsuit for practice. Team suits and swim caps are required for swim meets.

All swimmers, regardless of age, must be able to swim the full length of the pool. Basic swimming lessons are not given. Swimmers can begin at any age and will be coached on technique and strokes - freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.

Parent Expectations

The Marlins are a non-profit, volunteer led group and depend upon the participation and cooperation of all parents to help gain sponsorships, in fundraisers, and to help with duties at swim meets such as timers and official judges. Training will be provided for timing and judging.

What to expect at a Swim Meet

Swim meets are optional but we encourage all swimmers to participate in as many as they can during the season. Each swimmer must swim in 2 meets in a specific event to qualify to swim at the conference finals.

All swim meets are on Saturdays in June and July. The meets begin early, usually with warm ups at 7 or 8am. Depending on the number of swimmers at the meet, most meets are over by early afternoon. Parents or guardians are responsible for providing transportation to the swim meets for their swimmers.

Swim meets move quickly from event to event. A heat sheet is available to the coach and for purchase to parents to know the day's line up for your swimmer. Most swimmers write (in sharpie) their event information on their legs or arms to remember which event they are participating in. Event are called over a PA system in order on the heat sheet.

Each week the swimmers, the coach and team manager will work together to decide which events each swimmer would like to participate in. If a swimmer commits to being in a relay team, it is very important they show up for the meet as they can not easily be replaced if at all on a relay team. We will not know the line up or times of events until we arrive at the meet that morning. Once your swimmer has completed all of his or her events, they are free to leave. We encourage all swimmers to stay until the last teammate swims if possible.

Each swimmer must have a team swimsuit, swim cap and goggles. To purchase a team swimsuit, visit our team swim shop at swimoutlet.com. Click on teams, find my team, enter Wynne Marlins, and the store will pop up. Click and the size and purchase. For girls, the suit is the Sporti Piped Splice Wide Strap one piece in Navy and Gold. For boys, the suite is the Sporti Piped Splice Swim Jammer in navy and gold. Swim caps are provided by the swim team and included in your registration fee. Swim goggles can be purchased online at the swimoutlet.com or any sports store. Mirrored goggles are recommended.

At each swim meet, parents and swimmers set up canopies and chairs around the perimeter of the pool. Each pool is a little different. Paragould and Pocahontas are indoor facilities and have limited indoor seating available. Jonesboro and Mt. Home are outdoor facilities. We try to set up several canopies or tents together so the swimmers can hang out together in between their events.

Things you'll want to bring to each meet

• A great attitude and ready to cheer on the Marlins
• Team swimsuit (it's best practice to wear this to the meet), swim caps, towel, and goggles
• Sunscreen and hats
• Cooler with snacks and drinks. It will be hot. Staying hydrated and having protein and healthy snacks is important.
• Chair or blanket to sit on
• Portable fan
• Canopy or tent if you have one.
• Money for heat sheet or concession stand
• It will be hot. Be prepared.