tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4141609489590318532024-03-25T15:36:49.673-04:00Valdese Torpedo Swim TeamInformation for Parents and Swimmers of the Valdese Torpedo Swim TeamCoachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comBlogger185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-61380901612448227912024-03-25T15:35:00.003-04:002024-03-25T15:35:48.284-04:002024 Meet Schedule (Practice Schedule Still to Come)<p>Good afternoon, Torpedo Family!</p><p>Here are the dates for our meets this summer! Mark your calendars! Addresses for each facility are in parentheses. <br /></p><p>Home meets will have an 8am warm-up, and away meets will have a 5:30pm warm-up, except Sprint/Distance and the championship meet on August 3. </p><p>Remember, you need to swim in two regular season meets in order to participate in champs meet! <br /></p><p><u>Tuesday, June 11</u>: VTST at Forest City (<span class="LrzXr">217 Clay St, Forest City, NC 28043)</span></p><p><span class="LrzXr"><u>Saturday, June 15</u>: Lenoir/Watauga at VTST (HOME)</span></p><p><span class="LrzXr"><u>Thursday, June 20</u>: VTST at Black Mountain (</span><span class="p-street-address">401 Laurel Circle Drive</span><br />
<span class="locality">Black Mountain</span>, <span class="p-region">NC</span> <span class="p-postal-code">28711)</span></p><p><span class="p-postal-code"><u>Saturday, June 22</u>: Forest City/ Shelby at VTST (HOME)</span></p><p><span class="p-postal-code"><u>Thursday, June 27</u>: VTST at Watauga (</span>231 Complex Dr., Boone, NC 28607)</p><p><span class="p-postal-code"> <u>Saturday, June 29</u>: Black Mountain at VTST (HOME)</span></p><p><span class="p-postal-code"><u>Saturday, July 6</u>: Granite Falls at VTST (HOME)</span></p><p><span class="p-postal-code"><u>Thursday, July 11</u>: VTST at Granite Falls (56 Pinewood Rd, Granite Falls, NC 28630)</span></p><p><span class="p-postal-code"><u>Saturday, July 13</u>: SPRINT/DISTANCE MEET at Forest City (For Swimmers 11 and Up ONLY)</span></p><p><span class="p-postal-code"><u>Friday, July 19</u>: VTST at Shelby (850 W Sumter St, Shelby, NC 28150)</span></p><p><span class="p-postal-code"><u>Saturday, August 3</u>: TSL CHAMPS AT SHELBY (</span><span class="p-postal-code">850 W Sumter St, Shelby, NC 28150) </span></p><p><span class="p-postal-code"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-49581994079960117382024-03-14T14:57:00.000-04:002024-03-14T14:57:04.795-04:002024 Season Information Preview<p>Hello Torpedo Family!</p><p>I hope this finds everyone well as we start to see the weather warm up and people get outdoors.</p><p>No doubt you all are aware of our pool situation here, but please know we are working hard to make sure we have a winter option in place. It should not impact our summer operations at all.<br /></p><p>Team representatives will be meeting Saturday, March 23 in Shelby to set the schedule for the summer meets. We will continue hosting our meets on Saturdays, but we will likely still have away meets on week nights.</p><p>I will begin putting out posts over the next few weeks as we approach
our sign up start date of April 8. Sign ups will be online again this
year (valdese.recdesk.com), and a T-shirt and a latex cap will be
included in the registration fee. We will still offer silicone caps, but
those will need to be purchased separately. Practices will start
Monday, May 20 with two weeks of after school practices before we switch
to our divided practices on June 3. We will host a kick off event at the pool on
Friday, May 17 from 5-6pm. <br /></p><p>Probably the biggest thing to mention is the change in date of the Championship Meet. Shelby will be hosting the meet this year, but the meet will be held Saturday, August 3. This is a change from our traditional last Saturday in July meet, but the majority of teams voted to allow this change for this year only. I know several of our families have vacations that interfered with meet participation in the past, and I know this may likely be the case with the altered date, as well. <br /></p><p>I do need to offer an apology with how last year ended. We never hosted our traditional end of year gathering where we handed out ribbons and medals to our swimmers. I apologize that didn't take place. We have all of your swimmers medals and ribbons available at the pool counter, and you are welcome to come pick them up at your convenience. Please go ahead and mark your calendars this year for Friday, August 16 in the Splash Pad Building for a team potluck from 5-7pm. We will get ribbons and medals to everyone then and have some great fun celebrating the end of the season.<br /></p><p>We had a great season last year, and I am looking forward to another great season this year!<br /></p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-32413110696539181092023-07-16T16:04:00.002-04:002023-07-16T16:04:36.437-04:00Countdown to Conference: Two Weeks to Go!<p>Good afternoon, Torpedo Family!</p><p>We wrapped up last week with a good showing at Sprint Distance, and I'm really excited how our swimmers did. Many took on some challenging events as first timers, and I'm proud of your perseverance. Even Coach Rhy and I got into the act with the Llama Relay (you kinda had to be there).</p><p>With two weeks remaining in the season, we have a lot to do. Remember, if you haven't swam two meets by the end of this week, you're ineligible for the championship meet. This week is your last chance to be eligible!<br /></p><p>This Thursday we go to Granite Falls. I need entries no later than Tuesday night. I will use both the paper and <a href="https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084CABAE2AAAF58-granite4" target="_blank">SignUpGenius sign up for Thursday</a>. Volunteers can <a href="https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084CABAE2AAAF58-vtst" target="_blank">sign up here</a>. We will need 12 people to help time, so please consider doing it. <br /></p><p>Saturday morning July 22 we host Black Mountain. We were outnumbered this past Thursday before the storms, but we challenged and defeated them in certain categories. We need to have a good home dual meet showing on the 22nd. Please sign up by Thursday night for Saturday's meet on paper at the counter or <a href="https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084CABAE2AAAF58-black2" target="_blank">here on the SignUpGenius</a>. We will need <a href="https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084CABAE2AAAF58-black8" target="_blank">several additional volunteers (SignUp Here) </a>than usual as we will be running eight lanes instead of six. </p><p>Conference is Saturday, July 29. Please plan on being there all day. Please remember you MUST have swam two meets to participate. I need to have you all signed up by the end of the meet this Saturday (7/22) if you are planning to come. <a href="https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084CABAE2AAAF58-tarheel" target="_blank">Sign up for conference on paper or sign up here</a>!<br /></p><p>As we are hosting this meet, we will need several "section chiefs" to assist with clerk of course, awards/hospitality (this is mostly in the party room in the bowling alley), and on-deck operations (timing, starting, runners). More on these roles will be available later this week, but I'd like to have all of our conference volunteers in place by this Friday. That sign up link is forthcoming.<br /></p><p>At conference, we always have a traditional coaches/parents relay race known as the Fools in the Pool races. Please sign up to participate in those relays <a href="https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084CABAE2AAAF58-fools1" target="_blank">here</a>. Each person swims a single length, and we it will give you a great chance to cool off and show off your awesome swimming skills! It's a lot of fun, and the kids love it, too.</p><p>Finally, our theme this year is TSL Goes to the Movies, and as a team, we need to adopt a movie that coaches/volunteers/swimmers can dress up as. <a href="https://forms.gle/quh4YMNwbYLrndk7A" target="_blank">Here is a Google Form link for you to provide your input</a>! <br /></p><p>Thanks for a great season thus far, and I'm looking forward to a strong finish! <br /></p><p><br /></p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-5468240385884539762023-07-09T14:33:00.001-04:002023-07-09T14:33:22.572-04:00Electronic Sign Ups, Black Mountain, and Sprint/Distance!<p> Good afternoon, Torpedo!</p><p>We have quite a week ahead as we get back in to the second half of the season. Thanks for a great meet yesterday. While we didn't have the team win, I
am very proud of how everyone swam. We will continue to work over the
next few weeks to improve and challenge the swimmers as we prepare for
the championship meet. </p><p>Thursday we go to Black Mountain. I have been asked to have entries to them by Tuesday morning. As such, I will need to do entries Monday night. We have had some sign up for the meet, but a great deal more not. I am going to try something different for sign ups for this meet. We will use the paper signup as well as an <a href="https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084cabae2aaaf58-black1#/" target="_blank">electronic sign up</a>. Warm ups on Thursday are at 5:30pm. </p><p>Following the Black Mountain meet, Saturday morning is the Sprint/Distance Meet for swimmers 11 and up at Forest City. Any swimmer going will need to plan on a longer race in addition to the shorter sprint events. There will be 200s of the strokes, 400IM, 500 Free, 1,650 Free. The 1,650 will be first in the day, and there will be a separate session and warm up afterwards for the remaining events. Any swimmers wishing to swim the 1,650yd Free will need to have someone to time and count for them. We will also be doing a float relay during the meet for parents and coaches. We will need 4 parents per relay team. I will provide a float. Swimmers and parents interested in the relays can <a href="https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084CABAE2AAAF58-sprint" target="_blank">sign up here</a>, as well as at the pool/fitness counter.</p><p></p><p>Let's have a great week!<br /></p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-88853833543014322452023-06-29T14:59:00.000-04:002023-06-29T14:59:38.212-04:00July 4th Holiday Break and July 8 Meet<p>Good afternoon, Torpedo!</p><p>As we reach the mid-point of the season, I wanted to check in and provide a few reminders about July.</p><p>As we start our holiday break, there will be no practice from Monday, July 3- Wednesday, July 5. We will start back on Thursday, July 6. The pool will still be open, so please come and swim during our extended open swim time next week.<br /></p><p>I will have meet sign ups for the remainder of the season beginning Friday morning, June 30. Please go ahead and sign up for the meets you are going to attend. I do want to reiterate that it is VERY important to attend the championship meet we are hosting on July 29! </p><p>We do have the t-shirts that were ordered, and they look sharp. We'll get them out to everyone in the coming week.</p><p>Our next meet is July 8 at home against Forest City. Everyone should be signed up by the end of the day today. It'll be a good meet, and you can sign up here to volunteer: <a href="https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084CABAE2AAAF58-forest">https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084CABAE2AAAF58-forest</a></p><p>Parents, if you are interested in participating in the Fools in the Pool relays at the Champs meet, go ahead and start putting some relay teams together. It's a lot of fun and a great way to cool off.<br /></p><p>If you have any questions about anything, please don't hesitate to reach out. You are doing great this season, and I'm excited to see what the second half holds for our team!<br /></p><p> </p><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-89442353407897666072023-06-16T06:44:00.001-04:002023-06-16T06:44:23.575-04:00Happy Day Before A Meet!<p></p><p>Good morning! Tomorrow is our first meet, and I'm excited to see the kids in action. We have been working hard on racing and cleaning up technique in anticipation of the first swims.</p><p>**PLEASE SIGN UP FOR TUEDAY'S FOREST CITY MEET TODAY OR TOMORROW MORNING AT THE MEET! I MUST SUBMIT ENTRIES MONDAY EVENING*** <br /></p><p>Tomorrow morning at 7:15am you will be able to set up on the tennis courts and Rotary Park. We will not seat anyone on the deck other than the bleachers. We will be operating a small concession stand from the deck, but the concession stand inside will not be open.</p><p>Swimmers need to BE READY to get in the pool at at the deep end 8am. We will warm up for 30 minutes. After swims during the morning, it would be good for especially older swimmers to get back in to cool down in lanes 9 or 10. Those lanes aren't for playing during the meet, and your child will be asked to leave the lane if they are playing.<br /></p><p>When observing the meet, please do not block the shallow end of the pool, as the 8U swimmers will start their 25s there. There will be a rope in place to prevent spectators getting too close. </p><p>Swimmers will be called to the Clerk of Course area to check in to their event. They will not be called behind the block. If they aren't at clerk of course and miss an event, they will not be added back in. TO find out what events your child is swimming, you will receive a Remind message with entries, and there will be events posted in the hallway at the pool tomorrow morning. The meet will also be available with free heat sheet on the Meet Mobile app if you have the subscription.<br /></p><p>These meets do not happen without your help. We still need to have more volunteers for our timing and other jobs. Please sign up here to help: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084CABAE2AAAF58-shelbymcdowell</p><p>The last events of the morning will be relays, and I ask that you all stay through the end of the meet, as your child may be needed for a relay or relay change. Please check with a check to see if it is ok to leave before doing so.</p><p>Make sure to get the kids to bed, eat well, and hydrate today. It's going to be a fun morning tomorrow!<br /></p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-35653787160467111512023-06-09T15:01:00.002-04:002023-06-09T15:01:53.165-04:00School is Out! Time for Practices to Change! Meet sign ups and more!<p>Congratulations, Torpedo swimmers, for wrapping up another school year! </p><p>Before I go further, I do want to recognize all of our high school graduates, including those from years past. Congratulations to all of our assistant coaches this year, as well as several former Torpedo members who graduated/are graduating this week. Well done, we are proud of you, and we wish you all the best going forward into whatever endeavors may lie ahead!</p><p>Monday marks the change in our practice schedule. <u> </u></p><p><u>To Recap</u>:</p><p>8 & U: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 5:30pm-6:15pm</p><p>9-10/11-12: Tuesday-Friday 8am-9am</p><p>13-14/15-18: Tuesday-Friday 9am-10am</p><p><u>First Home Meet:</u></p><p>Saturday, June 17 we host Shelby and McDowell. We will plan on running 6 lanes for competition. We will need people to help out in various capacities, and we'd love to have one person from each family volunteer during the meet. You can sign up to volunteer here: <a href="https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084CABAE2AAAF58-shelbymcdowell">https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084CABAE2AAAF58-shelbymcdowell</a></p><p>For home meets, we will allow seating on the tennis courts and in Rotary
Park, but not on the pool deck. You're welcome to come on deck to watch
the swimming or get concessions; however, the best action is behind the
blocks, so PLEASE VOLUNTEER.</p><p>So, how do you go about making sure that your swimmer or swimmers are going to swim on the 17th and for each meet going forward? You can use the sign up sheets located at the pool/fitness counter for each meet. Please write the swimmer's name under the correct side and age group. The sheets for all of June and the July 8 meet will be downstairs. </p><p>IF YOU SIGN UP AND CAN'T MAKE IT: Please scratch your name off. It is helpful for us to know who is really going to be here, as we want to make sure that we place all the swimmers in the best position for the entire team. The coaches decide what events everyone swims, and much thought goes in to that, usually several days in advance. It helps us to know EXACTLY who will and won't be at the meets. That said, if you didn't sign up ON THE PAPER (not via text, email, facebook, remind, smoke signal), there is no guarantee your child will be entered. This is very much an opt in process.<br /></p><p>Please look at the away meets and figure out carpools as necessary. We want to represent well, and we should have more than enough car seats amongst the team to get swimmers to away meets if you are unable to provide the transportation. </p><p>I am very excited for this season to get started! The swimmers have been working hard since we got in the water, and we will continue that progress over the next two months until everything culminates here. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-10691157311533591312023-06-02T16:30:00.006-04:002023-06-02T16:30:00.137-04:00Shirts and other swag!<p> Happy Friday!</p><p>Thanks for a great first week of practices. It has been a lot of fun working with the swimmers, young and old, new or veteran. We will have one more week of after-school practices at 3:30pm and 4:30pm, then we will switch on June 12. When we do switch times, there are no Monday morning practices, just Tuesday-Friday morning. Evening practices run Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday for 8 & Unders.</p><p> We will start taking orders for T-Shirts on Monday, June 5, and finish this order Friday, June 9. There is about a two week turnaround on the shirts. Shirts will be $15.<br /></p><p>We do have some caps on hand. They are a black latex ($5) or a silver silicone ($15). The silicone is a more durable cap, but is prone to sliding off if a swimmer has finer hair. Latex caps tend to stay in place.<br /></p><p>You can order shirts and pick up caps at the fitness counter. Payment for these items may be made with cash or check made out to Valdese Swim Team. <u><b>If a shirt is not paid for, it will not be ordered</b></u>.<br /></p><p>If you aren't on remind, please be sure you join us! That is my primary form of communication with everyone. </p><p>Have a great weekend! <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-63055320734472631942023-05-30T12:52:00.002-04:002023-05-30T12:52:38.004-04:00IT'S FINALLY HERE! PRACTICE TIME!<p>Good afternoon, Torpedo family!</p><p>I hope you all are as excited as I am to start practice today! <br /></p><p>We've had a request to push back our start time to allow for some of our older swimmers to get from school to the pool this week and next, and so we will oblige them.</p><p>Any swimmers over 11 will be from 3:30pm-4:30pm this two weeks.</p><p>Any swimmers under 10 will be from 4:30pm-5:00pm this two weeks.</p><p>We will shift to morning practices on June 12, while 8 and unders will continue to practice in the evening. I encourage you all to have some carpooling worked out in the event you need to have someone take your swimmer to practices.<br /></p><p>Parents, if you haven't signed up for Remind, please do so. I primarily use that for communication during the season, and if you send me anything through Messenger, it may take days for me to answer as I only access it on my desktop.</p><p><u>MEET VOLUNTEERS</u>: <br /></p><p>Just to go ahead and get everyone thinking about how you can help, we will be hosting our first meet here on Saturday, June 17. We will warm up at 8am and start the meet at 9am. I will send out a SignUpGenius for you to choose how you want to help the team.</p><p>We can help with anything listed with additional training. It isn't hard, but we just need to take some time to train you a bit. <br /></p><p>We will need the following at meets for two or possibly three shifts:</p><p>Timers (6-8, total of 24)</p><p>Head Timer (1, total 3)</p><p>Heat Winner Ribbon (1, total 3)</p><p>Starter (1, total 3 - requires some additional training) <br /></p><p>Scoring Computer (2, total of 4 - requires some additional training)</p><p>Timing System (2, total of 4 - requires some additional training)</p><p>Stroke and Turn Officials (2, total of 4 - requires some additional training, test)<br /></p><p><br /></p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-42355578815697463582023-05-16T15:23:00.002-04:002023-05-16T15:23:42.572-04:00Counting Down! Two Weeks until Practice Starts!<p> Good afternoon, Torpedo Family!</p><p>We're excited about the upcoming season, and practices will start in two weeks! We just set out some signs at Valdese Elementary and Heritage Middle, and if you can think of some other good locations, please let me know. We still need to add some more members, so ask your friends, family members, car pool buddies, church friends, or any combination of the above. The more the merrier!</p><p> <br /></p><p>Here is this summer's practice schedule:</p><p> <u>May 30-June 9 (BCPS still in School)</u>:</p><p>3:15-4:15pm: 11-18 year olds</p><p>4:15-5pm: 8 and Unders, 9-10 year olds<br /></p><p></p><p><u>June 12 until end of season:</u><br /></p><p>8 and Unders: 5:30pm-6:15pm Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday </p><p>9-10, 11-12: 8am-9:00am Tuesday-Friday<br /></p><p>13 and Up: 9:00am-10:00am Tuesday-Friday</p><p> <br /></p><p>We will start an order for shirts and gear on May 30 to close out June 5. This will allow us a chance to get orders in and printed for the meet on June 17. Shirts will be $15. Silicone caps are available for $15, and latex caps are $5. If there is demand for more shirts and caps after we receive the first order, we'll do a second order later in June. <br /></p><p>The pool will be re-opening on May 22 with the Bubble down, and we look forward to seeing you all on deck!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-62907495904640422023-04-21T17:50:00.000-04:002023-04-21T17:50:54.595-04:00Updated Post: What are they doing?! A Guide for the New Swim Parent<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy Friday, Torpedo Family! I first posted this blog post in response to a lot of common questions I received about the team, the sport, and competition structure we use during the Tarheel Swim League season. I have updated it a little bit, and I hope it is useful!<br /></span></p><p><br /></p><div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-fb1c444f-49d8-728b-2918-c51f999532bd" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What ARE they doing?! </span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A Few Key Things for the New Swim Parent</span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Valdese
has experienced a lot of growth over the past few years, and here a few
common things I get asked from our new parents. I really enjoy speaking
with parents and getting to know them, but my hope is that this will
help our incoming folks feel a little more confident when they get on
the pool deck with their swimmer. </span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Communication is KEY…</span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
like to think of myself as open and available to all of our member
families. I encourage you to reach out to me if there is something you
would like to discuss. Trying to have a serious discussion with parents
before practice is often difficult as my focus is elsewhere, and I want
to be sure to give you my undivided attention. The easiest thing is to
email me a number where you can be reached, or try to speak to me after
all practices are concluded.</span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As
for mass communication with team members, it is important to sign up
for our text service Remind. Whenever a new blog post is posted, I
will send out a link through Remind. If we have to cancel a
practice due to weather, I will send out messages through Remind first.</span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">First, a little about the pool…</span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
pool is 25 yards in length, and one length is the same as a lap. It
isn’t uncommon to hear people describe a lap as a “down and back,” which
is actually two laps (a 50). The gutter is the little track running
along the outside of the pool, which serves to minimize disruptive waves
by collecting water as a swimmer comes storming into the wall for a
finish or turn (When the water is still, it is clean, when disrupted or
choppy, we call it dirty). At either end of the pool, there are flags
positioned to alert backstrokers to the wall. We will work with your
swimmers to perfect their stroke count so they will know just how many
strokes (single arm motions, in this instance) it takes them to get from
the flags to the wall so they can come in fast without bumping their
head.</span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For
racing, we start from the blocks on the deep end of the pool. All
backstroke events and the medley relay start with the swimmers in the
water instead of diving in from the block. Some swimmers less confident
from the blocks can start from the wall or from in the water, and all
shallow-end starts (such even-number swimmers in 100 yard relays) start
in the water. We will work with your swimmers throughout the season on
starts using the wall and the blocks, so if they don’t know how to dive,
that’s OK, we will teach them!</span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What’s my Age Again?...</span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We
divide our swimmers up into several age groups for competition, and
these translate into our practice schedule breakdown, as well. Your
swimmer is able to compete at the age they are on June 1 of the current
year. The age groups are 8 and Under (we do use 6 and Under for 25 free
only, as well), 9-10 year olds, 11-12 year olds, 13-14 year olds, and
15-18 year olds. </span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Swimmers
may “swim up” to any age group above them, but they may not “swim
down.” This happens most often for relay events when we may have three
swimmers of an age group and need to bring a fourth swimmer up to field
the relay. We typically try not to swim anyone up more than one age
group, but a shift may impact relay composition for younger age groups.
For example, if the 13-14 boys only have three swimmers, we will likely
bring up a faster 11-12. If there are only four 11-12 swimmers, we will
need to bring up a 9-10 for that relay. Relays are a lot of points, so
we don’t want to leave them open without an entry if we can help it. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Regarding practice times, the pool water may increase by as much as 6 degrees in the course of a hot, sunny day. For our older swimmers, that limits the type of workout we may be able to do because of concerns related to core body temperature.This is a primary factor for having a morning practice time. Our youngest swimmers are focusing more on technique and a good kick, and they are often able to take breaks and spend time out of the water to cool down. That's why we have them practice for shorter periods in the evening, less frequently. I understand this may cause some logistical concerns, and please feel free to discuss those with me. Remember, communication is KEY (see above)!<u><br /></u></span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For the Gear-heads…</span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Swimming
really doesn’t require a lot of gear to compete in. Give someone a suit
and goggles and they are good to go. Many of our older swimmers will
use fins for practices, but there is no need to run out to get a pair.
Generally, if your swimmer is in high school or about to be in high
school, you may want fins. Talk to a coach to figure out a good pair of
fins. Speedo, TYR, and Finis make some good fins for a variety of
training purposes.</span></span></div>
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<span><br /></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We
don’t have a team suit to speak of, but we do ask swimmers who compete
for us to use our team cap if using a cap (our caps are currently
latex). The easiest and least expensive suits are often just plain,
black suits. Locally, CBS Sports in Morganton, Dick’s, or Academy
typically have suits available during summer months. Online,
swimoutlet.com is the place to go. TYR, Speedo, and Dolfin are the
market leaders, and most suits from them are great. Girls need to have a
one piece, and boys need either briefs or jammers. Trunks are not
advised as they create large amounts of drag, and two-piece suits may
come off when diving.</span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Invest
in some good goggles, and buy several pairs (I have about 4 pairs of
the same type that I have used since I was in middle school, and I will
likely never go to another goggle!). Since we are swimming in the
summer, your swimmer will need some reflective goggles to fight off
direct sun. However, getting at least one clear pair will be good for
meets when the sun goes down. Find a pair that fits well by trying them
on to see if they seal around the eyes BEFORE putting the strap over the
swimmer’s head. </span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In
practice, our younger swimmers often use kickboards to help build leg
strength. A good kicking base is KEY, and so you will see us kick quite a
lot. Older swimmers will use pull-buoys, shaped foam meant to
immobilize the legs, to build shoulder, core, and catch strength. You
may see us use buoys with 9-10 year olds towards the end of the summer,
but generally we won’t use them with the younger swimmers. Similarly, we
don’t use kickboards with our older swimmers.</span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Now, the events...</span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When
we swim, we compete in multiples of 25. I often describe this to folks
as thinking of counting money. Four quarters makes a dollar, just as
four laps makes a 100. For our purposes, we will swim 25s, 50s, 100s,
and a 200 IM (more on that in a sec), and a 200 freestyle. We do have
longer events at the Sprint/Distance meet every year, but in our
standard meets, the 200 is the longest distance we swim. All pools we
compete in will be yards with the exception of McDowell, which is a 25
meter pool, and slightly longer than the other pools we use.</span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There
are four strokes used in competition. The two that kids often catch on
to the quickest are freestyle and backstroke. These are not overly
difficult to master, and they are often taught in swim lessons.
Butterfly and breaststroke are more complicated with regards to timing,
and often take more time to master. The individual medley, or IM, or the
medley relay, or MR, are composed of equal distances of all four
strokes. So in a 100 IM, a swimmer will swim a lap of butterfly, a lap
of backstroke, a lap of breaststroke, and a lap of freestyle, in that
order. In a 200 MR, a swimmer will swim a 50 of backstroke, the second
swimmer will swim a 50 of breaststroke, the third swimmer will swim a 50
of butterfly, and the final swimmer will swim a 50 of freestyle, in
that order. </span></span></div>
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<span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The event order for our regular meets is as follows:</span></span></span><br />
<ul><li><span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">200 Open (Free)- All ages may swim 200</span></span></span></li><li><span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Free Relay (8 and unders swim 100, everyone else swims 200)</span></span></span></li><li><span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sprint Free (8 and unders swim 25, everyone else swims 50)</span></span></span></li><li><span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">IM (8 and unders, 9-10, 11-12 all swim 100; 13-14 and 15-18 swim 200)</span></span></span></li><li><span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Back (8 and unders swim 25, 9-10, 11-12 all swim 50; 13-14 and 15-18 swim 100)</span></span></span></li><li><span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Longer Free (8 and unders swim 50, everyone else swims 100)</span></span></span></li><li><span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Fly (8 and unders swim 25, 9-10, 11-12 all swim 50; 13-14 and 15-18 swim 100)</span></span></span></li><li><span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Breast (8 and unders swim 25, 9-10, 11-12 all swim 50; 13-14 and 15-18 swim 100)</span></span></span></li><li><span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Medley Relay (8 and unders swim 100, everyone else swims 200)</span></span></span></li></ul>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">To see examples of correct versions of the stroke and what officials and coaches want to see, I encourage everyone to visit the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5IjKFBIY18&list=PLJUznzZd1j8Urx4pxOW9gYFCzrWMb0jgx" target="_blank">YouTube playlist put together by USA Swimming</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
and view the videos. This will arm you with some more knowledge about
correct procedure for swims. Over the course of the summer, your
swimmers will become more knowledgeable regarding these rules
themselves. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect! Ugly strokes aren’t
necessarily illegal, and officials are trained to give the benefit of
the doubt to the swimmer!</span></span></div>
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<span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wrapping up…</span></span></div>
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<span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span><span>This is the first of several posts I'll be putting up over the next week. I am really excited</span></span></span> for this season, and I hope you all are, too!</span></span></span></div><p></p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-3770018415601490682023-03-30T21:29:00.001-04:002023-03-30T21:29:34.849-04:002023 Here We Come! - Sign Ups, Meet Dates, CHAMPIONSHIPS<p> Good evening, Torpedo! It's Coach Andersen! <br /></p><p>Welcome to our Kick Off Edition Blog post of 2023! There are a lot of things to cover with you all, and I'm excited to share them with you! There will be more posts with more information to come in the not so distant future. I wanted to get as much of this out to you all now, particularly dates <br /></p><p><u>First, SIGN UPS</u>: </p><p>Sign ups will begin online at valdese.recdesk.com on Monday, April 17.
Registration officially closes on June 28, but please sign up as early
as possible to maximize time with the team in the water and building a team family! Please make sure you have access to your existing account if you've signed up for any other Valdese sports in the last year, have a membership, or have rented from the department in the last year. If this is your first time and you haven't been a member or done any kind of facility rental with the Parks and Rec department, you'll need to create a new profile for head of household and and household members who are being registered.<br /></p><p>Swimmers will swim and practice as a part of their age groups (8 and Under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18) based on their age on June 1. Anyone wishing to join needs to be able to swim a single, 25 yard length without stopping. Specific practice times will be forthcoming, but practices for 9-18 year olds will be weekday mornings unless following a weeknight meet, and 8 and Unders will be Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights.<br /></p><p>Swimmer eligibility is not tied to school attendance as it is for several other sports offered through the Valdese Parks and Recreation Department. Swimmers can even be from out of county. We welcome anyone who wants to swim as a part of our family!</p><p>So, tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell your church congregation, even tell your barber, that they or their kids should come and be a part of the fun and exciting Torpedo family!<br /></p><p><u>Second, IMPORTANT PRACTICE AND MEET DATES</u>:</p><p>PRACTICES START: Tuesday, May 30 AFTERNOON TIMES TBD</p><p>SPLIT PRACTICES START: Monday, June 12 TIMES TBD <br /></p><p>Saturday, June 17, 8:00am Warmup: VTST vs. Shelby/McDowell</p><p>Tuesday, June 20, 5:30pm Warmup: VTST <u>at </u>Forest City</p><p>Saturday, June 24, 8:00am Warmup: VTST vs. Lenoir/Granite Falls</p><p>INDEPENDENCE DAY BREAK: No Practice 6/30-7/5, practice resumes Thursday morning, 7/6 <br /></p><p>Saturday, July 8, 8:00am Warmup: VTST vs. Forest City</p><p>Thursday, July 13, 5:30pm Warmup: VTST <u>at </u>Black Mountain</p><p>Saturday, July 15, Warmup TBD (Morning): Tarheel Swim League Sprint/Distance Meet (Ages 11& Up)</p><p>Thursday, July 20, 5:30pm Warmup : VTST <u>at </u>Granite Falls</p><p>Saturday, July 22, 8:00am Warmup: VTST vs. Black Mountain</p><p>Saturday, July 29, 7:00am Warmup: Tarheel Swim League Championship Meet (Valdese)<br /></p><p><u>FINALLY, CHAMPIONSHIPS:</u></p><p>This year is supposed to be McDowell's turn to host, but they are in the process of constructing a new pool. So we are switching years, and they will host on our next turn.</p><p>This means we will need TO REPRESENT! As a home meet, there is no reason why we shouldn't have a strong contingent of swimmers and volunteers available for this meet. We truly hope that you all will block this date off and be available so we can make a run at the title again, in addition to hosting an amazing event. The Torpedo has always done well, and there reason to think we can't challenge again. </p><p>But, per league bylaws, you need to swim in AT LEAST TWO MEETS to be eligible for the Champs Meet. So please make sure you can make more than two meets in case something causes us to miss one (weather, perhaps).</p><p>That's all for now, but stay tuned for more great Torpedo information in coming weeks!<br /></p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-35339587019837270902022-07-15T12:38:00.002-04:002022-07-15T12:43:37.664-04:00S/D Info, Saturday July 16th<p> Good afternoon, team!</p><p>This Saturday, July 16th, we will be traveling to Forest City for our Sprint/Distance meet. The address is <u>217 Clay Street, Forest City, NC 28043</u>. This is a fun event and gives swimmers the chance to swim longer and shorter events they don't always get the chance to.</p><p>The theme for this meet is Superheros. It is encouraged that you dress up!</p><p><u>Warmups for the mile swimmers starts at <b>7:15am</b></u>. The first heat will start at 7:30am. </p><p><u>Warmups for the rest of the swimmers will be around <b>9am</b>.</u> </p><p><b>Please arrive in time to be on the pool deck waiting for warmups at 8:50am. We will be getting in as soon as the mile swimmers finish</b>. We will be sharing the pool with Forest City.</p><p>The tentative start time for the meet is 10am.</p><p>There will be a food vendor selling breakfast and lunch, as well as icees.</p><p>A couple things:</p><p>- only coaches will be allowed on the pool deck</p><p>- please DO NOT park by the golf course</p><p>- I have attached a picture of the map that shows available parking and tent setup</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAprVeGrlGCwunBfMkh4NdCx1dqhFRkmVb1ZF21V8hwaptMG2fl-467wU1i4Vm-TxsTNcKrXyFb1w73gpjjx_F12kUPoW2CT0fouty4AzUXBAcJrC1LmGpF4o9PrcVm38Am0tlyFoJZheVEH8SUGwl5VumTLtov4aPCqr0iNyk302MXu1-xA3Y-s6tw/s1166/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-15%20at%2012.35.29%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="1136" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAprVeGrlGCwunBfMkh4NdCx1dqhFRkmVb1ZF21V8hwaptMG2fl-467wU1i4Vm-TxsTNcKrXyFb1w73gpjjx_F12kUPoW2CT0fouty4AzUXBAcJrC1LmGpF4o9PrcVm38Am0tlyFoJZheVEH8SUGwl5VumTLtov4aPCqr0iNyk302MXu1-xA3Y-s6tw/w524-h537/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-15%20at%2012.35.29%20PM.png" width="524" /></a></div><p>Tomorrow will be a fun and exciting day! Remember to stay hydrated and I'll see you at the pool!</p>Morgan Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02922798962723340520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-47770251228169043012022-06-26T14:39:00.001-04:002022-06-26T20:24:47.221-04:00A Review and the Week Ahead!<p> Good afternoon, Torpedo family!</p><p>I hope you all have had some down time after Saturday's meet. </p><p>It has been a busy couple of weeks for the team! We have hosted two Saturday meets against Lenoir, McDowell, and Granite Falls and have traveled to Forest City. </p><p>This week we will travel to Black Mountain on Thursday. The address is <b>401 Laurel Circle Dr, Black Mountain, NC 28711. </b>Tents can be set up outside of the pool deck. We will start warmups at 5:30pm. Please arrive in time to get ready and jump in!</p><p>On Saturday, we will host Forest City in Valdese. Warmups will be at 8am and setup will start at 7am. The SignUp Genius will be sent out later this week for volunteers. We can always use your help!</p><p>Since our upcoming meets are fairly large, and in an effort to keep everything streamlined and ensure that we finish on time, I will not be able to have late additions to the meets. Thursday signups are due on Tuesday at 10am, and Saturday signups are due on Wednesday at 6pm. </p><p>I understand that things happen and plans can change. If you are entered in either of the meets and something changes, please let me know via text or Remind before the meet. </p><p>I am so appreciative of all of you and the hard work you put in during practice and for all of the volunteers. It truly couldn't happen without you!</p><p>Have a great weekend and I'll see you soon!</p>Morgan Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02922798962723340520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-88696027565779623972022-06-13T20:01:00.003-04:002022-06-13T20:17:57.489-04:00Our First Meet and Looking Ahead<p> <span style="font-family: times;">Hey team!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Tomorrow is our first meet of the season! Make sure your swimmers are ready to warm up by 5:30pm.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">The meet is in Forest City at the Callison Recreation Center. The address is <b><u>217 Clay Street, Forest City, NC 28043.</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">A couple things:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">1. Tents <u>will not</u> be set up on the pool deck. This is to prevent the overflow of people and hopefully it will make it easier for you to see and watch your swimmers. In the case of tomorrow, the tents can be set up outside of the fenced area. You are more than welcome to come in and watch your swimmers and then return to your tents. One-half of the picnic shelter will be reserved for swimmers to stay on deck. </span><span style="font-family: times;">If there are any elderly or handicapped spectators, they are welcome to sit underneath the picnic shelter as well.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">2. The clerk of course tomorrow will be located underneath one side of the picnic shelter. Your swimmer will need to check in here for their events and will be seated in the proper order. When it is time, they will all walk to the blocks together as a heat. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">3. Please make sure your swimmers are paying attention to the events being announced by the clerk of course. This is vital so that your race isn't missed!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">4. Volunteers are always needed! The meet wouldn't be possible without volunteers, so please don't hesitate to help out! You can sign up via the SignUpGenius link: <span><a class="Link" href="https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084CABAE2AAAF58-vtst7" rel="noopener" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: none black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0274de; cursor: pointer; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: border-color 75ms ease-in-out 0s, color 0s ease 0s, opacity 0s ease 0s; word-break: break-word;" target="_blank">https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084CABAE2AAAF58-vtst7</a><span style="background-color: black;">.</span></span><span style="background-color: black;"> </span>If you have any questions about the various positions, here is a link to a previous blog post explaining things: </span><a href="http://vtst.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-most-important-person-at-our-meets.html"><span style="background-color: black; color: #3d85c6; font-family: times;">http://vtst.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-most-important-person-at-our-meets.html</span></a>. There's always something everyone can do to help out!</p><p><br /></p><p>This Saturday, June 18, will be our first meet in Valdese!</p><p>Tents will be set up on the tennis courts or in Rotary Park. The gate to access Rotary from the pool deck will be open. Setup will begin at 7am. </p><p>Please be ready to warmup at 8am. </p><p>The clerk of course will be at the entry from the tennis courts to the pool deck. This is where your swimmers will check in for their events. </p><p>We will also need volunteers for Saturday, and that SignUpGenius will come out this week.</p><p>Thank you for all you do! See you soon!</p>Morgan Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02922798962723340520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-74005588900521419482022-04-08T14:43:00.002-04:002022-04-08T14:50:48.651-04:002022 Info, Practice Schedule, & Meet Schedule<p> Hello Torpedo Family!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwvq8eQ4bjZAgBonfNOUfZPuoz7rFnHoixFbwNXdirHJj4TjHdOhEDD7PEEbuQDwcxKn3anjMcdzxHctqPDSF-lHWCVIpoNhyum1LRZp39l-7AjFV-AlEldmFRERzQru_cOBAa-EqoUKcs1jbMpaZ_AahVW_Q2pJm-JaCuMGjnmPRv-v7QbtzoEuaQw/s828/8CC4FDAD-777D-4B7B-9091-E3EDE604AFB8_1_201_a.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="828" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwvq8eQ4bjZAgBonfNOUfZPuoz7rFnHoixFbwNXdirHJj4TjHdOhEDD7PEEbuQDwcxKn3anjMcdzxHctqPDSF-lHWCVIpoNhyum1LRZp39l-7AjFV-AlEldmFRERzQru_cOBAa-EqoUKcs1jbMpaZ_AahVW_Q2pJm-JaCuMGjnmPRv-v7QbtzoEuaQw/w194-h192/8CC4FDAD-777D-4B7B-9091-E3EDE604AFB8_1_201_a.jpeg" width="194" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Morgan Hall and I am going to be the new head coach for VTST this summer. Some of you may have seen me around as I was an assistant coach last year and I am a guard at the facility. I have swam for nearly a decade and recently just finished up my collegiate swimming career at Mars Hill University. I am super excited to share with you what I've learned and use that knowledge to help each and every swimmer grow! I attached a picture of myself so you can put a face with my name!</div><br /><p>I wanted to go ahead and share a little bit of information concerning the upcoming summer season. </p><p>The first big piece of information concerns sign-ups. We have recently moved them to an online format so you can use the link <a href="https://valdese.recdesk.com/Community/Program?category=16">https://valdese.recdesk.com/Community/Program?category=16</a> to register. Registration begins Monday, April 18th! T-shirt and cap orders will still be handled in person at the pool/fitness desk. </p><p>Next, is the practice schedule. Please remember that swimmers need to be at the appropriate practice time. If there are situations where attendance at another practice time is necessary, please speak to me to confirm. Practices will start on Tuesday, May 31st. I know there are school districts that don't get out until later. For this reason, from <span style="color: #ffa400;">Tuesday, May 31 to Friday, June 3 practices will be from 3:30-5pm.</span> All groups will practice at the same time for these 4 days. </p><p><b>Starting on Monday, June 6, practices will be as follows:</b></p><p><u>9-10, 11-12, Novice 13-14:</u> Mon-Fri. 8am-9am</p><p><u>Advanced 13-14, 15-18:</u> Mon-Fri. 9am-10am</p><p><u>8 & Unders:</u> Mon.-Thurs. 5-5:45pm</p><p><br /></p><p>Finally, and arguably the largest piece of information, is our meet schedule. Swimmers should be signed up in the book located at the pool/fitness desk by the deadline for each meet in order to be entered. If the deadline isn't met, the swimmer won't be entered. All of our home meets are on Saturdays this year, with warmups at 8am. Away meets will be on Tuesday or Thursday evenings with warmups at 5:30pm. </p><p>Sprint/Distance (11 & up only) and Champs will both be Saturday meets. You should plan for Champs to last all day. More information about these two meets will be sent out closer to time. However, remember that swimmers <b>must compete in at least two meets in order to be eligible to compete at Champs</b> on July 30.</p><p><u>Tuesday, June 14:</u> @ Forest City Stingrays, 5:30pm warm-up</p><p><u>Saturday, June 18:</u> Lenior and McDowell Mariners @ Valdese, 8:00am warmup</p><p><u>Saturday, June 25:</u> Granite Falls Sharks @ Valdese, 8:00am warmup</p><p><u>Thursday, June 30:</u> @ Black Mountain Stingrays, 5:30pm warmup</p><p><u>Saturday, July 2:</u> Forest City Stingrays @ Valdese, 8:00am warmup</p><p><u>Saturday, July 16:</u> Sprint/Distance Meet (11&Up only) @ Forest City Stingrays, warmup TBA</p><p><u>Tuesday, July 19:</u> @ McDowell Mariners, 5:30pm warmup</p><p><u>Thursday, July 21:</u> @ Granite Falls Sharks, 5:30pm warmup</p><p><u>Saturday, July 23:</u> Black Mountain Stingrays @ Valdese, 8:00am warmup</p><p><u>Saturday, July 30:</u> TSL Champs Meet @ Granite Falls Sharks, warmup TBA (ALL DAY MEET!!)</p><p><br /></p><p>As always, we are in need of officials and volunteers. If you're interested, please reach out! There will be more information coming in the upcoming weeks. If you have any questions, feel free to reach me at the following number by call or text.</p><p>My information is as follows: 8287645007 (mobile)<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I'm looking forward to seeing all of you and working with you; it's going to be a great summer!</p>Morgan Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02922798962723340520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-5844901400318234572021-08-05T13:39:00.003-04:002021-08-05T13:39:56.746-04:00What A Season!<p>Good afternoon, Torpedo family!</p><p>This time last week, we were preparing to swim in our championship meet, the meet that counts, the one that we work all summer for. We were working on turns and starts, cleaning up strokes, and finishing strong. The swimmers took the last message to heart: Finish Strong. </p><p>In the heat at Forest City, we set new team records (nine new records in one meet!), recorded personal bests, and won the championship meet. While it wasn't the perfect day, we finished strong. We made our swims count, and it paid off. It was great to see the kids swim their best, exhausted but happy at the end of races, and at the end of the meet we had come out on top. </p><p>This past year and a half has seen a lot of twists and turns and ups and downs. The uncertainty of last summer led to a canceled season, and I wasn't sure what this summer would bring. I knew we would have some strong swimmers returning, and that we'd have others not return. I knew we'd see swimmers succeed and other swimmers struggle. Ultimately, the team came together and performed as needed in order to succeed as a team. </p><p>I cannot express how grateful I am to each swimmer and family member. Without you, your work, your time, your effort, your determination and resilience, we would not have been successful as a team. It has been a different kind of summer, and I am so glad to have spent it with you all. <br /></p><p>Thank you! </p><p>On Saturday, we will gather at 5:30pm at Rotary Park to celebrate our season and our team. Please bring something to share. I will be bringing my Jambalaya. See you all there!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-39789988831444648752021-07-18T13:14:00.001-04:002021-07-18T13:14:12.463-04:00Weekend Update for July 18: Sprint/Distance, Forest City, Spaghetti, and Champs<p> Good afternoon, Torpedo family!</p><p>Yesterday we had a great time at the Sprint/Distance meet, which was held in Black Mountain this year. Our older swimmers challenged themselves in longer distance events and had fun sprinting 25s and 50s, too. It was a fun event, and I thank all of you who made the trip and helped out with the meet, too.</p><p>Originally we were to go to a meet this coming Thursday, July 22nd, in Forest City. That has changed due to scheduling issues on their end, and there really isn't a great time to reschedule in the next two weeks. Should this meet have been your second meet for the season and therefore qualified you for participation in the Champs meet, we can discuss options.</p><p>As we have done in the past, we will have our spaghetti dinner on Friday, July 30, at Rotary Park at 5pm. In the event of bad weather, we will head to the Splash Pad building. I will send out a sign up list at the end of the week so we can make sure we will have different dishes, plates, drinks, etc. for the meal. This is a fun time for us all to be together and go over last minute details before the meet on the 31st in Forest City.</p><p>With regards to the Champs meet, I will have more information on specifics this week. Forest City is hoping to send out info on Monday, but it may be as late as Wednesday. Regardless, if you are going to swim, please go ahead and sign up. Competition is tight this year, and we need everyone to be there. I will send out a volunteer sign up as soon as I know what our expectations are, too.<br /></p><p>These next two weeks are going to be very busy with training and focusing on details as we prep for the Champs meet. Please make every effort to attend practice if you are in town. We're winding down, but that doesn't mean we're slacking off. I've spoken a lot to the swimmers about finishing strong, and I hope we will all do just that in these coming weeks.</p><p>Enjoy the rest of your weekend!<br /></p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-65530192035524400132021-07-11T13:41:00.001-04:002021-07-11T18:25:52.130-04:00Great way to start the second half of the season!<p>Good afternoon, Torpedo!</p><p>Yesterday you all did a great job at the meet! In the end we came away with wins over both visiting teams. Swimmers did well with the warmer water, and there were some fantastic races across the age groups. The final score was 541 Valdese, 274 McDowell, and 227 Forest City. Overall, we had very few DQs, which is another big win in its own right.</p><p>Team shirts should be arriving this coming Wednesday, and you will be
able to pick them up starting at Thursday mornings practice or Monday evening's
practice for the 8 and Unders. I appreciate your patience with the
shirts this season, as there were some issues with supply causing the delay. </p><p>We have four more meets in the season, with two this week. This Thursday we travel to Marion for our away meet the McDowell Mariners. Warm ups begin at 5:30pm. Spectators will be allowed to sit up on the terraced area, but not on the deck. You may come down on the deck to watch races, though. The pool is a short course meters pool, which is 25 meters in length. As such, times will generally be slower than what you have seen in the yards pool. Volunteer sign ups will be sent out tomorrow. We will not have practice on Friday morning. <br /></p><p>Saturday morning we will be participating in the Sprint/Distance Meet at Black Mountain. This meet is for swimmers 11 and up. They will have the opportunity to swim events of shorter (sprint) or longer distances, including the mile free. There is also a theme to this year's meet: Halloween in July! Come with a costume to wear behind the blocks. Check in for mile swimmers is 7:15am. Open Warmups for mile swimmers is
7:30 am, and we will start at 8:00am for mile swimmers. They will need their
own counters and 2 timers. Open warmups for all other swimmers begins
at 9:30am (depending on how many enter the mile swim) and meet starts at
10:15am. We will do dive overs. Additional parking will be located just
past the pool & tennis courts in the grassy area in Black Mountain. All swimmers and families must set up surrounding
the pool. Spectators are welcome to come on pool deck to watch their
swimmers events. </p><p>I'm looking forward to seeing how well our swimmers will do! <br /></p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-29638638114144989852021-06-27T09:34:00.000-04:002021-06-27T09:34:11.272-04:00Way to Go, Team! Reviewing the Past Week and Looking Ahead<p>Way to go, Torpedo Family! </p><p>We have had some great swims and great races, and we finished the week with one team win and one team loss. I'm incredibly proud of how everyone has done so far this season, and we have had tons of best times since the season began. </p><p>I have been especially thrilled to see swimmers and parents exhibiting great sportsmanship, cheering for one another and congratulating everyone on great swims, regardless of team affiliation. <br /></p><p>Parents and family members have done a great job volunteering, too. If you haven't volunteered yet, please take a moment at one of upcoming meets and give it a try. Timing is an easy way to help out, and you get the best seat in the house. <br /></p><p>This coming Thursday night, we host Black Mountain at home. This will likely be our biggest challenge at home this summer, and I hope we can have a great showing. Please sign up at the desk by the end of practice Wednesday night.<br /></p><p>On Thursday, you can begin setting up at 4pm on the tennis courts or in Rotary Park. Clerk of Course will be along lane 10.</p><p>Following the meet on Thursday night, we will start our July 4th break. The pool will still be open, so feel free to come and swim, but we will not have an organized practice until Wednesday morning, July 7th. At that point we will start our preparation for our home meet on Saturday, July 10 against Forest City and McDowell.</p><p>On another note, the Valdese Recreation Department will be hosting our Junior Lifeguard Program on Wednesday, July 14 from 9am-11am. It is for ages 9-14, and participants must be able to swim at least 25 yards. We will cover some basics of rescuing, CPR, and pool operations, and participants will receive a t-shirt and certificate. The cost is $20, and participants must sign up by July 1 to guarantee a shirt. <br /></p><p>Let's keep up the great work as we head into a busy July!<br /></p><p><br /></p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-57274399844080167052021-06-21T20:31:00.005-04:002021-06-21T20:31:40.411-04:00The week in review and the week ahead!<p>Good morning, Torpedo Family!</p><p>It has been quite a season already! We saw our first ever intrasquad meet, and, despite the deluge, everyone hung in there and stuck it out to get the meet done. I want to thank everyone for your help in making the meet go smoothly. There were certainly some changes from meets in the past, and I appreciate you all for working with us through the changes. I do want to offer a big shout out to our Stroke and Turn Crew, who are also Torpedo Family Members, on the Masters side. Melinda W. is the mother of our former coach Lauren, and Rich E. is new to the area, but has spent a lot of time on the pool deck at his son's meets as his son was swimming from summer league to a division I NCAA athlete. Please take a moment to thank them for giving their time to help us out.<br /></p><p>Your swimmers worked hard last week, and this week has two meets in store. On Tuesday, we head to Black Mountain to face off against the Stingrays at the Black Mountain Pool (<span class="p-street-address">401 Laurel Circle Drive, </span><span class="locality">Black Mountain</span>, <span class="p-region">NC</span> <span class="p-postal-code">28711). Warm ups begin at 5:30pm, so please be there with time to get ready before we hit the pool. We will be sitting off the pool deck, and parents are being asked to come on deck only to watch their children swim. Please make sure to leave room at the turn end for our 8Under swimmers and officials. <br /></span></p><p><span class="p-postal-code">Saturday, June 26, we will be hosting the Granite Falls Sharks. Warm ups begin at 8am, and you can start setting chairs and tents up on the tennis courts and Rotary Park at 7am. There will be people in the water practicing, but the pool will not be open to us until we warm up at 8am. We are hoping to be done by 12:30pm. </span></p><p><span class="p-postal-code"> We will need volunteers for both meets, so please use the SignUp Genius pages as they become available.</span></p><p><span class="p-postal-code"> Finally, in anticipation of a longer night Tuesday, we will not be doing morning practice on Wednesday, June 23 (8Unders will still practice at 5pm Wednesday).We will be back at it Thursday and Friday in anticipation of Saturday's meet. </span></p><p><span class="p-postal-code"> Thanks again for being a fantastic team to coach and work with! </span> </p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-44827486747013969052021-06-10T06:03:00.005-04:002021-06-10T06:04:15.060-04:00Here We Go!<p> Good morning, Torpedo Family! </p><p>This Saturday morning, June 12, will be our first meet of the season! Please have your swimmers ready to warm up at 8am. </p><p>There are going to be a few changes for this meet that we are trying out for future home meets.</p><p>1. Tents will not be allowed on the pool deck. You can set these up in Rotary Park and on the tennis courts.This will be the case at other pools, as well. We hope this will make it a little less dense on deck and easier for you to watch your swimmers. The gate to Rotary Park will be opened for everyone to move on and off the deck. Please do not enter the pool deck from the tennis courts; that gate is for swimmers only.<br /></p><p>2. Clerk of Course will be at the entry from the tennis courts to the pool deck. Swimmers will need to go there to check in for their events and then will go as a heat to the blocks.<br /></p><p>3. Please have your swimmers pay attention to their events and the announcements from clerk of course. We don't want anyone to miss their swims!</p><p>4. We are still in great need of volunteers. I would love to see a member of each family volunteer for at least one shift. We won't be able to run the meet without you all as volunteers. Please sign up via SignUpGenius: <a href="https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084cabae2aaaf58-vtst4">https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084cabae2aaaf58-vtst4</a>. There is something everyone can do to help. If you're curious about what everything is, please check out this previous post on the subject: <a href="http://vtst.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-most-important-person-at-our-meets.html">http://vtst.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-most-important-person-at-our-meets.html</a><br /></p><p>5. We will be using stopwatches this week as the timing system needs a tune up before we can put it in to use. </p><p>Your swimmers have been working hard over the last two weeks, and this should be a fun event! See you all at the pool! <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-21379778889882157942021-05-03T10:31:00.000-04:002021-05-03T10:31:23.282-04:002021 Bubble Down, Practice Schedule, and Meet Schedule<p>Good morning, Torpedo! </p><p>There are several pieces of news I want to pass along to everyone. </p><p>First, as you may have already seen, we will be taking the Bubble down. The pool will close on May 14 at 11am and re-open Thursday, May 20 at 7am. For now the pool schedule will be the same until around June 1 when we begin our swim lesson programming and VTST practices. A more detailed pool schedule will be available in the coming weeks. Don't forget sign ups start next Monday, May 10!<br /></p><p>The next big piece of information is Torpedo practice times. Please remember to have your child at the appropriate practice time. If for some reason they need to attend a different practice every once in a while, it needs to be cleared by me. Practices start Tuesday, June 1. <br /></p><p><u>9-10, 11-12, Novice 13-14</u>: Mon.-Fri. 8am-9am <br /></p><p><u>Advanced 13-14, 15-18</u>: Mon.-Fri. 9am-10:15am </p><p><u>8 & Unders</u>: Mon.-Thurs. 5:00-5:45pm <br /></p><p>Finally, the next piece of the scheduling puzzle is our meet schedule. Please remember to sign your swimmer up by the deadline for each meet in
our notebook at the pool/ fitness desk. If a swimmer isn't signed up,
they won't be entered. We will be trying a few Saturday morning home meets this year. Warm-up for those meets is 8am, and we should be able to wrap up by noon or 1pm at the latest. Away meets will be on Tuesday or Thursday evenings, and they will have a 5:30pm warm-up. </p><p>The Sprint/Distance (for ages 11 & Up only) and Champs meets are Saturday meets. You should expect the Champs meet to last all day. We will have more detailed information on those two meets in June, but please remember, swimmers will have to have participated in two meets in order to be eligible for the Champs meet on July 31.<br /></p><p><u>Sat., June 12</u>: Intrasquad/Virtual Meet @ Valdese, 8:00am Warm-Up<br /></p><p><u>Tues., June 22</u>: @ Black Mountain Stingrays, 5:30pm Warm-Up</p><p><u>Sat., June 26</u>: Granite Falls Sharks @ Valdese, 8:00am Warm-Up</p><p><u>Thurs., July 1</u>: Black Mountain Stingrays @ Valdese, 5:00pm Warm-Up</p><p><u>Sat., July 10</u>: Forest City Stingrays/ McDowell Mariners @ Valdese, 8:00am Warm-Up</p><p><u>Thurs., July 15</u>: @ McDowell Mariners, 5:30pm Warm-Up</p><p><u>Sat., July 17</u>: Themed Sprint/Distance Meet (11&Up Only) @ Black Mountain, Warm-Up TBA</p><p><u>Thurs., July 22</u>: @ Forest City Stingrays, 5:30pm Warm-Up</p><p><u>Sat., July 31</u>: TSL Champs Meet @ Forest City Stingrays, Warm-Up TBA (ALL DAY MEET)</p><p>There will be more information coming in the next few weeks, and don't forget, we will need officials and volunteers. I'm looking forward to working with you all this summer and having a great time!</p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-35548118134750341512021-04-19T09:00:00.001-04:002021-06-10T13:48:55.368-04:00Starter/Stroke and Turn Official's Info (UPDATED FROM 2017)<p>Good evening, everyone! This is a repost of a post from 2017, with some updated links.<br />
<br />
The main point of this blog post is to get you all information regarding
the stroke and turn/ starter training. In the past I have served as
the lone starter at home meets, and I would love to be able to pass the
whistle off to some others to free me up to spend more time on deck away
from meet management.<br />
<br />
Stroke and turn officials need to do three things for us to be "certified."<br />
<br />
Number 1: Watch the USA Swimming videos available online here:
https://www.usaswimming.org/officials/how-to-become-an-official. Scroll
down to find the videos. Stroke and turn officials have several shorter
(6 minutes or less) videos to watch. Starters have one thirty minute
video to watch. These videos are accessible through YouTube, as well.<br />
<br />
Number 2: Take the 25 question assessment based on commonly seen things
at our meets and the videos. You only need to get 18 correct to pass,
and you can take it multiple times (Starters don't need to take this).
https://goo.gl/forms/VF4F0RDw9J9n6WEu1<br />
<br />
Number 3: Shadow an already established official at a meet on deck to
get the hang of what it is like officiate. Potential starters need to
spend about 5-10 minutes on deck with me prior to working a meet.<br />
<br />
Neither of these jobs are difficult! Go ahead and give it a try. Not
only will filling these roles help the team, it will help you understand
what is expected of you swimmer when they step to the block. It's a
great way to learn about the sport while helping out, and we can't be at
our best without YOUR help (Yes, I'm talking to you!).<br />
<br />
Thank you all for making this a fun and exciting job!</p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-414160948959031853.post-59720216148278542292021-04-12T18:26:00.000-04:002021-04-12T18:26:31.565-04:00Gearing Up for Summer Fun with the Valdese Torpedo Swim Team<p>Good evening, Torpedo family! I hope everyone is doing well and is ready for a summer with the Valdese Torpedo!</p><p>As of this posting, there are still some unknowns, and I will be addressing them as best I can, but we will have a season, and we will have a great time. As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch either by phone or email, and I will get back to you as quickly as possible.<br /></p><p>First a few dates/ some information for everyone:<br /></p><p><u>Monday, May 10</u>: Sign-ups start! Come to the fitness counter when we are open to get registered, order your t-shirts and caps (latex and silicone available this season), and start getting pumped up for a great season! We will accept new swimmers until June 14. We do ask that all swimmers be able to <u>swim a complete 25-yard length without stopping</u> in order to join the team this summer. If you aren't sure, feel free to consult with me for a swim test before paying any registration fee for the swimmer in question.<br /></p><p><u>Tuesday, June 1</u>: Practices Start! Practices will be divided by age group as we have done in the past. This is traditionally our first day of practice, and with school ending earlier this year, we'll go right to the divided practices. There will be morning/evening practice divisions as we have done in the past, and I will put out the exact times for ages once we have a good idea of how many swimmers we have in each age group. </p><p><u>Saturday morning, June 12</u>: Our first meet at home. This will be an intrasquad/virtual meet where we will get a chance to see what our meets will look like at home and practice new traffic patterns on the deck, etc. We will combine results with other teams to see where everyone is.<br /></p><p><u>Saturday morning, June 26</u>: Granite Falls at Valdese. This will be our first meet at home with another team. <br /></p><p><u>Saturday, July 10</u>: Home meet, opponent TBD.</p><p><u>Saturday, July 17</u>: Sprint/Distance for our 11 and over swimmers. Black Mountain Pool.<br /></p><p><u>Saturday, July 26</u>: Home meet, opponent TBD</p><p><u>Saturday, July 31</u>: Championship Meet at Forest City, Callison Recreation Center Pool<br /></p><p>As you can see, we don't yet have our full meet schedule together yet. We hope to have that at the end of April. We will be adding a couple of away meets, and we may drop one of our
home meets, but the meet dates above are dates you may want to pencil in
on your calendars. We will still do meet sign ups on a meet-by-meet basis, where you can sign up at the fitness counter for each meet you plan to attend.<br /></p><p>As usual, we will need to have parents volunteer to assist with meets,
particularly with regards to stroke and turn officials. Volunteering is
the best way to get a view of the action during meets. If you are interested in volunteering as a stroke and turn official, please contact me ASAP so I can begin working with you. <br /></p><p>The meets will look a little different in terms of structure and logistics due to the guidelines facilities are being asked to operate under with regards to COVID-19. These include the changing of the flow of traffic to and from the blocks, the use of sessions for different age groups, limiting numbers on deck with regards to seating, and following the most current masking and distancing guidelines as outlined by the state. <br /></p><p></p><p></p><p>Now, everyone is wondering, what about the Bubble? Will it stay up or is it coming down? Right now we are cautiously optimistic that it will come down this summer. We rely on assistance from workers who are not being sent off-site anywhere at this time. Should they be released to work off-site, we have a mid-May date scheduled to remove the Bubble. We are exploring other options if they are not available to assist us, but as of now, we are hopeful they will be available. Should the Bubble not come down, we will be adding additional fans to assist with comfort inside the Bubble during the warmer times of day. </p><p>I want to wrap up with this: even though our program may look a little different this summer than in years past, we are still pursuing the same program goals as we do every summer. Team and individual victories are important and shouldn't be discounted, but they are only a part of what has made us a successful program. Among other things, commitment, supporting teammates, and developing a strong work ethic while still having fun are all a part of the process for us, and those things combined have led to our success. That will still be the case this summer.<br /></p><p>I am really looking forward to seeing everyone and having a great season. Again, please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have questions or concerns. Have a great rest of the school year, at I can't wait to see you at the pool! <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> <br /></p>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623125038815657417noreply@blogger.com