Hangzhou Water Weekly
Written by Coach Meg: May 15, 2026.
Hangzhou Water Weekly: May 18-24
Training next week
Due to China trips next week, all Upper School sessions have been cancelled. This includes White and Gold Team practices as well as Scuba Diving.
All Lower School practices will continue as normal, including the Thursday morning session for Grade 5 & Captains with Coach Cheryl.
Summer Splash, Towel Swims & Awards
Scuba Diving Trip
A final reminder that the deadline for consent and payment of our Scuba Trip to Suzhou is today. Please do so via SchoolsBuddy by the end of the day!
Happy International Water Safety Day!
Find out more at https://www.internationalwatersafetyday.org/
Written by Coach Cheryl & Coach Nat: May 7, 2026, published May 8th.
Hangzhou Water Weekly: May 11-17
Training next week
Thursday 14th May early morning 6:15am-7:30am canceled for Gold Squad and the 5th graders and captains that attend that session. Blue Squad will be canceled on Thursday 14th May 3pm-4:15pm.
Friday 15th May afternoon session canceled for Blue Squad 3pm-4:15pm & White Squad 4:15pm-5:15pm.
These cancelations are due to a continuous professional development course in Shanghai, all members of our Aquatics Department will be attending various courses over a few days next week!
Reminders of the cancelations will be sent on Monday 11th May via SchoolsBuddy to help families keep on top of our changes.
Towel swims & Summer Splash
Quick Information Summer Splash & Awards Ceremony
Date: Tuesday 2nd June, 2026
Meet: 3pm-5:30pm
Events: Selected by your primary coach, more information to follow!
Events available: Under 8's primary focus is on 25 meter events, 9 and overs will focus on 50 meter events & 100 Individual Medley.
Dinner: 5:30pm-6:30pm in the cafeteria for swimmers, family members & coaches.
Awards in the Black Box: 6:45pm 5 min Rainbow Squad celebration in front of the full team (then rainbow leave so they are not up too late).
Continued ceremony in the Black Box: 7pm - 8pm lower & middle school awards for all Aquatic Programs; Swim Team, Water Polo Team, Artistic Swimming Team, and Scuba Divers should attend this awards event.
Dress Code for awards to help honor and celebrate our achievements in style, all student‑athletes are expected to change into smart‑casual attire after the event, please try to wear something with Yellow (HIS identity) and/or Gold (winning mindset).
Tips of how to include the color: by wearing a tie, socks, t‑shirt, or a yellow flower, or be inventive.
Encouraged Dress Code: Boys: Suit and/or trousers (no shorts), shirt or collared t‑shirt, choice of shoes. Girls: Trousers, dress, or skirt (no shorts).
All: Strictly no baseball caps.
Any further questions about the event, please wait for next weeks updates and/or contact your child's primary coach.
Deadline for sign up (available on SchoolsBuddy): Monday 18th June, 22:00.
Gold and Yellow Squad Special Event: 'Towel' swims!
'Towel swims' means swimmers have a small informal meet on deck with their towels & teammates (no official marshaling). The 'Towel Swims' event will take place the evening before Summer Splash on Monday 1st June, between 3pm-6pm for Yellow and Gold Squad only. Our department will put the touchpads in and hire officials. An invite to this event will be sent to the majority of our Yellow Squad and our full Gold Squad next week. Only student-athletes who are ready for this challenge racing the 400m, 200m and 100m events will be invited.
Personal bests will be accepted & recorded officially, records broken will be accepted awarded officially, and medals and ribbons for events will be awarded. Medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd, and ribbons for 4th, 5th and 6th.
The events on Monday will be 200 meter of each stroke, 100 meter of each stroke and 400m freestyle.
For the student-athletes swimming on both days, we will accept two (2) events on each day, so each Yellow and Gold squad member can attempt four (4) events over two afternoons! If a Yellow or Gold squad member can only attend on one day, we will accept a maximum of three (3) events on anyone of those days.
Deadline for sign up (available on SchoolsBuddy): Monday 18th June, 22:00.
Scuba Diving CCA - Open Water Diver Course Weekend Trip (Suzhou)
We’re excited for the Open Water Diver weekend trip taking place on May 30–31 in Suzhou. Please complete the payment, consent, and medical form (if you have not done so) by Friday, May 15, 2026 via SchoolsBuddy.
Thank you for your support in providing students with this unique learning experience; this is a key step toward completing the Open Water Diver certification.
We look forward to a great weekend of open water diving! For any questions, please email natalioliares@hisdragons.org.cn
International Water Safety Day - May 15
Image above shows International Water Safety recommendations.
As we move closer to summer, May serves as an important reminder about staying safe in and around the water. In the United States, May is recognized as Water Safety Month, an annual campaign that promotes water safety awareness and drowning prevention for children and adults ahead of the busy summer swim season. Whether enjoying the pool, beach, lake, or waterpark this summer, water safety remains everyone’s responsibility. Stay safe, stay vigilant, and enjoy the season ahead.
May 15 is International Water Safety Day, which aims to raise global awareness of the drowning pandemic and educate youth on water safety. Know more about it at https://www.internationalwatersafetyday.org/
Written by Coach Cheryl: Apr. 30th, 2026
Hangzhou Water Weekly: May 4th-10th
Training next week
All Gold Squad Sessions on Wednesday 6th May are cancelled due to Coach Cheryl traveling to Shanghai to attend the final Shanghai Swimming League meeting of this academic year, in which we round up this academic year and plan for the academic year of 2026-27.
Gold's triple session on Wednesday will all be canceled: early morning from 6:15am-7:30am, land session from 3:15pm-4:00pm and technique session from 4:15pm-5:15pm.
A reminder will be sent on Monday 4th May via SchoolsBuddy will be sent to all those who are signed up for the sessions.
Training the following week May 11th - 17th
Early morning Gold Session will can canceled on Thursday 14th May, 6:15am-7:30am as Coach Cheryl will be in Shanghai attending a professional development course.
White Squad Friday 15th May, 4:15pm-5:15pm with Coach Nat is canceled due to Coach Nat attending a professional development course.
A reminder will be sent on Monday 11th May via SchoolsBuddy.
Summer Splash & Awards Ceremony
Image above our Summer Splash Swim Meet Poster! Designed by Coach Meg.
An invitation has been sent via SchoolsBuddy to all student‑athletes across our competitive squad structures.
Please note that consent is required in order to attend. If you do not provide consent, your child will not be permitted to participate. Consent ensures we can organize all events accurately, including race assignments, predicted times, and logistics. If you are struggling with anything on SchoolsBuddy, please contact us and we can certainly help you problem solve!
Quick Information Summer Splash & Awards Ceremony
Date: Tuesday 2nd June, 2026
Meet: 3pm-5:30pm
Events: Selected by your primary coach, more information to follow!
Events available: Under 8's primary focus is on 25 meter events, 9 and overs will focus on 50 meter events & 100 Individual Medley.
Dinner: 5:30pm-6:30pm in the cafeteria for swimmers, family members & coaches.
Awards in the Black Box: 6:45pm 5 min Rainbow Squad celebration in front of the full team (then rainbow leave so they are not up too late).
Continued ceremony in the Black Box: 7pm - 8pm lower & middle school awards for all Aquatic Programs; Swim Team, Water Polo Team, Artistic Swimming Team, and Scuba Divers should attend this awards event.
Dress Code for awards to help honor and celebrate our achievements in style, all student‑athletes are expected to change into smart‑casual attire after the event, please try to wear something with Yellow (HIS identity) and/or Gold (winning mindset).
Tips of how to include the color: by wearing a tie, socks, t‑shirt, or a yellow flower, or be inventive.
Encouraged Dress Code: Boys: Suit and/or trousers (no shorts), shirt or collared t‑shirt, choice of shoes. Girls: Trousers, dress, or skirt (no shorts).
All: Strictly no baseball caps.
Any further questions about the event, please wait for next weeks updates and/or contact your child's primary coach.
Gold and Yellow Squad Special Event: 'Towel' swims!
'Towel swims' means swimmers have a small informal meet on deck with their towels & teammates (no official marshaling). The 'Towel Swims' event will take place the evening before Summer Splash on Monday 1st June, between 3pm-6pm for Yellow and Gold Squad only. Our department will put the touchpads in and hire officials. An invite to this event will be sent to the majority of our Yellow Squad and our full Gold Squad next week. Only student-athletes who are ready for this challenge racing the 400m, 200m and 100m events will be invited.
Personal bests will be accepted & recorded officially, records broken will be accepted awarded officially, and medals and ribbons for events will be awarded. Medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd, and ribbons for 4th, 5th and 6th.
The events on Monday will be 200 meter of each stroke, 100 meter of each stroke and 400m freestyle.
For the student-athletes swimming on both days, we will accept two (2) events on each day, so each Yellow and Gold squad member can attempt four (4) events over two afternoons! If a Yellow or Gold squad member can only attend on one day, we will accept a maximum of three (3) events on anyone of those days.
High School Swim Team Awards Process going forward
We are delighted to share that our High School Swim Team will be included in this year’s full Sports Awards Ceremony, celebrated alongside all other HIS teams. Please note that only High School athletes will be recognized at this ceremony, and therefore they will not be awarded during our Aquatics Awards evening (which will focus on Lower and Middle School).
A few of our High School student‑athletes will also take on leadership roles as MCs and hosts of the Aquatics Awards on Tuesday, 2nd June. This is part of our vision to involve High School swimmers in the broader HIS Sports community, ensuring they are awarded with their peers and helping to create lasting legacies and habits that will continue to grow our program.
We extend a big congratulations to Simeon B, Anna L, Anderson L, Evan H, and Naomi X for their outstanding contributions throughout the year. Balancing training with academic commitments during exam season is no small feat, and your dedication and time‑management skills set a powerful example for the next generation of HIS student‑athletes.
Have a wonderful long weekend to all!
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