Sleepy Hollow Swim Team 2008

NEW  NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW

PLEASE READ - NEW SCHEDULE

Workout Schedule Changes

With the growing membership, especially of young families, we have over ninety 8 & under swimmers registered for the swim team (not including mini-legends).  This is a good problem for the Sleepy Hollow Swim Team.  However, with only 6 lanes of pool space, we have to make some slight workout adjustments to provide quality instruction for all swimmers.

The Revised Spring Schedule is as follows:

Age Group	Monday - Friday
8 Year olds	3:25-4:05
7 Year olds	4:05-4:45
5&6 Year olds	4:45-5:15

Based on your swimming age (Age as of June 15^th)

Age Group	Monday - Thursday	Saturday AM
9-11 (11 yr olds below silver time)	5:15-6:15	8:30-9:40
12 & Up (11 yr olds w/silver time)	6:15-7:30	9:40-11:00

We are in the process of making adjustments to the Summer Workout Schedule; we will post the Revised Summer Schedule ASAP.

New This Year

We are trying something new this year by offering a Saturday AM workout for the 9&ups, instead of the Friday PM workout.  We highly encourage all 9&ups take advantage of this opportunity.

6&under Evaluations (Team vs. Mini Legends)

 The coaching staff will spend the first week of practice evaluating all 6&under swimmers to be sure that they are in the appropriate group (Team vs. Mini Legends).

Some of the factors used to determine group appropriateness are:

§ Ability to swim at least 15 yards on own

§ Strength/comfort in the water

§ Ability to listen and follow direction

§ Age

§ Water Safety

Most importantly, water safety is our biggest concern.  We need a safe and productive learning environment.  Swim Team is a much different environment than small group/private lessons.  Many young swimmers who do well in the lesson environment get overwhelmed by the workout environment.  Our interest is to provide a positive team experience that provides the greatest opportunity to learn.

Coaches will make final decisions on swimmers in this group.

Workout Expectations for all Swimmers

Attendance. Spring workouts amount to almost half of the summer swim season.  Although, we realize kids have other activities, we expect swimmers to attend on a regular basis and com to as many workouts as possible!

Be on time.  Get your swimmers to the pool on time!  We need to start our workouts on time, which includes organizing the workouts.  We ask that you be ready to go at least 5 minutes prior to your workout time. 

Be prepared.  We are running a swim workout and kids need to be properly attired to maximize their workout.

• Wear a swimming suit - No board shorts or swim trunks!
• No Surf shirts - these shirts are restrictive and add too much resistance.
• Wear a Cap - Swimmers with long hair need to have it tied up or wear a swim cap.
• Goggles - if your kids wear goggles, make sure they fit properly and are tight. 
• Don’t REC swimming.  We recommend that kids do not rec swim before practice.  We always start practice on deck and it takes time to organize the groups.  Also, it tires them out for practice.

Parents and Workouts:

Swimming provides a safe environment for kids to start learning life lessons at an early age.  Two of those great lessons are Responsibility and Independence.  Watching young swimmers grow and become confident is an exciting by-product of the summer swimming experience.  Parents we need to foster this environment. We need all parents help.

• Don't hover during workout.  When we call the swimmers for practice that is your cue to let go.  Send them to the practice but stay back.  We would like parents to stay in the table area during workout.
• Let us handle the workout.  Please do not talk your children during practice.  If they are not paying attention, let us handle it.
• Don't coach your swimmer.  Most kids are going to think Mom/Dad don't know what they are talking about.  More importantly, it often leads to confusion on the part of the swimmer.  If you feel the need to talk swimming, ask your swimmer questions: What did you do in practice?   What are you working on?  This approach helps reinforce the learning process.
• Finally, please do not talk or interrupt the coaches during workout.  Wait until they are done coaching or leave a note in the coach’s office.

More Notes...

Your swimmers must be registered in advance. There will be no registation during practice and no exceptions. Please see Stephanie at the Clubhouse before next Monday to register.

Team Suits:
All swimmers will be required to wear the team swimsuit and caps at meets. If you pre-ordered a swimsuit, they will be distibuted during the first week of practice. Swimsuits can still be ordered through Forward Motion in Walnut Creek.

*Forward Motion is offering swim team members a 10% discount off of regular priced swim merchandise - just identify yourself as a Sleepy Hollow Swim Team member.

Parent Party & Auction:
Mark your calendars now. June 7th will be our annual parent party and auction to kick off the 2008 season. This year the party will be at the lovely home of Tim & Annette McAvenia. More details to follow.

Time Trials:
Time trials will be on Sunday, June 8th. There will be a dry run on Saturday, June 7th. You will be contacted if you need to attend on Saturday.

SH Merchandise:
All sweatshirts, t-shirts, etc. ordered at registration in March will be distibuted in early June.

Constant Contact Updates:
If your swimmers have changed age groups this year, or if you are just joining us, please click on the "update profile" link at the bottom of this email to change/add your group(s) membership. This will ensure that you receive the correct information and communications as the season progresses.

We look forward to seeing you all next week!

With Legend Pride,
The Swim Team Committee

Wendy Jacobs     jacobsjm@comcast.net
Kim Purcell        kimpurcell@comcast.net
Tracy Gittings     tmgittings@comcast.net