Jun 18, 2018
Dear Penguins and Parents:
Hope everyone had a great time at the Overnighter. Special thanks to all the parent volunteers who worked to make it happen, especially the hardy board members and spouses who stayed up all night. Hope everyone had a happy (if sleepy) Father’s Day!
OAKTREE RESULTS
Our Penguins swam great at Oaktree and actually won in total place points, but Oaktree had better overall improvement and won the meet by a final score of 112.1 to 106.8. It’s a good reminder of how important it is to keep working hard to improve all your times at every meet. Results have been posted to the Oaktree meet page on the website.
A NEW RECORD BREAKER
Congratulations to Samantha Ipsaro, who broke the 9-10 girls 100 yard individual medley record with a 1:16.53, breaking the previous record set by Daniela Fasan in 2012.
WILL YOU BE AT THE MEET THIS SATURDAY?
If your child will be missing any part of this Saturday’s meet at home against Belwood, please send email ASAP to coaches@swimlpac.org and volunteers@swimlpac.org. So far the families we know who will be missing at least part of the meet include: Beck, Calderon, Delgado, Doucette, Ipsaro, Jackson, King, Ngo, Taylor, Wyness.
AT PRACTICE THIS WEEK
This week the coaches will be working on backstroke technique and individual focus points for each swimmer. It’s also “Terms of Endearment Week.”
DON’T MISS THE BOAT!
The Raft Trip is on June 30, which less than two weeks away. There are limited spaces available, so if you haven’t already signed up, please do so ASAP. The cost is $25 per person. All participants must have a signed waiver from Sunshine Rafting. For more information, see the Raft Trip page on the website or call/text Chad Seps 408-887-3267.
SWIM-A-THON NEXT TUESDAY
Our annual Swim-a-Thon team fundraiser will be next Tuesday, June 26, during regular practice times. Kids are encouraged to get pledges and swim as many laps as they can to earn money for the team and be eligible for fun prizes. This year our goal is to earn enough to purchase a new electronic display that will show what event and heat are in the pool. Pledge forms can be downloaded from the Swim-a-Thon web page. People can pledge a certain amount per lap or just make a flat donation; all checks should be made payable to “LPAC.” All donations are tax-deductible. Note that we will need parent volunteers to count laps for each practice group.
MORE FORMS DUE JUNE 26
As we sprint to the end of the season, be sure to get your forms and payment in to the ACTIVITIES folder by Tuesday, June 26 for the following events:
- Champs Ads – show your penguin pride with an ad in the Champs program! 100% of proceeds benefit LPAC. Forms are posted to the Champs web page, or contact Kris Fuss for more information.
- Champs Meals – Don’t let anyone go hungry! Get your pre-order in for the snack bar and/or Mr. Pickles. Proceeds help the league pay for Champs (so LPAC doesn’t have to pay more). Forms are posted on the Champs web page.
- Banquet: Swimmers eat for free, but we still need to know how many people are coming. You can also order extra meals for parents, siblings, and other friends and family who would like to join us. See the Banquet web page to download the order form.
If you’d like, you can complete the online LPAC Events Response Form and then just write one check for all of these activities, as well as the Beach Trip and Spaghetti Dinner.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Saturday, June 23: Belwood @ LPAC
- Tuesday, June 26: Swim-a-Thon
- Saturday, June 30: Raft Trip (No meet)
Jun 15, 2018
Dear Penguins and Parents:
It’s hard to believe, but there are only 4 weeks left in the swim season…and they are going to go by FAST! We have a lot of fun events packed into this last month.
To minimize the number of forms and checks, we’re trying to consolidate as much as possible. If you’d like, you can pay for any (or all) of these events with one check tomorrow when you drop your kids off at the Overnighter.
First, please complete the online LPAC Events Response Form. This takes just a couple of minutes, and your responses will let our treasurer (Julie Webb) know the total amount you owe. Note this will not actually process your payment online, but you will be signed up for the events and then just need to write one check payable to “LPAC.”
This form includes signups for:
- Champs Program Ads ($15 for business card, $30 for half-page, $50 for full-page) – Note that artwork and copy must be submitted to Kris Fuss by June 26
- Swim-a-Thon (you can make an optional flat donation now, or collect pledges per lap when kids swim on June 26)
- Raft Trip on June 30 ($25 per person) – Note you still need to complete the Sunshine Rafting waiver for each participant
- Beach Trip for High School age group on July 7 ($8 per swimmer or $15 combined with Spaghetti Dinner; no charge for parent drivers)
- Spaghetti Dinner (ages 13+) on July 13 ($8 per person or $15 combined with Beach Trip)
- Banquet on July 15 (free for swimmers; $10 for adults; $8 for children 12 & under)
Note this form does NOT include order forms for Champs meals, as we are still waiting for some details about those. You will have the option to pre-order meals from the Snack Bar or from Mr. Pickles. Stay tuned for more details and forms next week!
See you all at Oaktree tomorrow morning…
Jun 14, 2018
Dear Penguins and Parents:
Just a few reminders before a busy weekend!
- Our meet on Saturday is away at Oaktree Swim Club.
- LPAC swimmers must check in before 7:30 am. The meet will start at 8:30 am. Oaktree has 6 lanes.
- The pool is located on Chrismara Court at Castello Drive in San Jose. See the Oaktree meet page on the website for a map. Leave plenty of time to find parking in the neighborhood.
- Our team area is on the back grass. Space is limited, so please plan to share EZ-Ups. Bring tarps in case the grass is wet.
- Meet entries and volunteer assignments have been posted to the Oaktree meet page.
- If your child is ill, please call or text Coach Scott: 408-613-5126.
- Please always check OUT with the coaches before leaving the meet.
- Drop-off for the Overnighter starts at 6:00 pm.
- If you have a cardboard boat, you can bring it to the staging area on the sport court starting at 5:30 pm. However, we cannot enter the pool area, and no tents can be set up, until 6:00 pm.
- All swimmers should check in at the sport court gate (not the usual pool entrance).
- There is no charge this year for the Overnighter. However, please bring your checkbook, as you will be able to pay for several upcoming activities when you check in. (Stay tuned for another email with more details about that.)
- Remember, if you bring a boat to the Penguin Regatta, you must take it back home with you afterwards!
- Swimmers ages 6 and under must be picked up by 10:00 pm.
- Pick-up is 8:00 am Sunday morning. Please be on time and help clean up the pool and lawn area.
- For more detailed information, see the Overnighter and Cardboard Boat Races pages on the website.
See you all Saturday morning…GO PENGUINS!
Jun 10, 2018
Dear Penguins and Parents:
Congratulations on another dual meet victory! Our Penguins powered past the Piranhas by a score of 120.8 to 104.0. That means we’re 2-0 to start the season. But we’ve got a tough meet this weekend against Oaktree, who beat us in the last dual meet of 2017 and went on to win first place at Champs. Let’s see if we can take a bite out of the Sharks on Saturday!
MORNING PRACTICES START MONDAY
Since school is out for most of our swimmers, we’re moving to morning practices starting tomorrow (June 11). Practice times are as follows:
- High School: 6:45–7:45/8:15 am*
- 12-14: 7:45–8:45/9:15 am*
- 9-11: 8:45–9:30 am
- 8 & under: 9:30–10:15 am
*Swimmers ages 12 and up have 30 minutes of dryland exercises immediately following their regular practice times on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. Please bring running shoes on those days.
Note that swimmers who are still in school or have work commitments may attend night practices, Monday through Thursday from 8:00-9:00 pm. Swimmers must have coaches’ prior permission to attend night practices.
WILL YOU BE AT THE MEET ON SATURDAY?
This Saturday’s meet (June 16) is away at Oaktree. If your swimmer will have to miss any part of the meet, it is very important that you let the coaches know by Monday at the very latest. Meet entries have to be finalized by Tuesday morning. Please send email to coaches@swimlpac.org and volunteers@swimlpac.org.
The families we know whose swimmers will be missing at least some of the meet on 6/16 include: Delgado, Dougherty, Morales, Ngo, Tang.
THIS WEEK AT PRACTICE
This week the coaches will address issues they observed at the meet this weekend and will develop specific focus points for each swimmer in breaststroke. They are excited to see everyone at the pool bright and early for morning practices!
OVERNIGHTER AND PENGUIN REGATTA THIS WEEKEND!
The annual Overnighter is one of LPAC’s most treasured traditions and a highlight of every swim team season. LPAC swimmers get to camp out in tents on the grass next to the Los Paseos pool and stay up late swimming, dancing, playing dodge ball, and just having fun with their friends. LPAC Board members and their spouses stay the night and take shifts to be sure children are supervised at all times.
The Penguin Regatta Cardboard Boat Races also take place during the Overnighter, and families are welcome to stay and watch. Parents, please remember that if your child builds a boat, you are responsible for taking home the soggy cardboard wreckage afterwards. (There isn’t enough room in the pool dumpster!)
All LPAC swimmers should check in Saturday evening at the Sport Court gate (not the regular pool entrance). If you have a boat, please come at 5:30 to stage your boat for the races. Please note, however, that tents may not be set up until after 6:00 pm (this includes Association members). Swimmers age 6 and under are welcome to attend but must be picked up by 10:00 pm Saturday night. Pick-up is Sunday morning at 8:00 am. Please arrive on time and help clean up the pool area so the board members who stayed up all night can go home and rest!
This year there is no additional cost for this event, and you do not need to RSVP or fill out any forms. Please just be sure to sign in your kids when you arrive and provide a phone number where you can be reached in case of emergency.
We will also need parent volunteers to help with dinner, breakfast, and clean-up on Sunday morning. Watch for the Volunteer Sign-Up email on Monday morning to sign up for a slot.
STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT UPCOMING EVENTS
It’s hard to believe, but there are only five weeks left in our swim season, and there are still a lot of fun events coming up. We’ll send a separate email later this week with signup forms and payment info about the Raft Trip, Beach Trip, Spaghetti Dinner, Champs Ads, Champs Meals, and the Banquet (whew!). Bring your checkbook when you come to the Overnighter, so you can fill out forms and pay for all of these events at once!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Jun 8, 2018
A few quick reminders:
- Tomorrow’s meet is at Los Paseos Pool. However, since Montevideo is technically the “home” team, we get later warmups! Check-in time for LPAC swimmers is 7:00 am. Please be sure to be on time.
- If your child is ill, please call or text Coach Scott: 408-613-5126.
- Meet entries and volunteer assignments have been posted to the website.
- Please note there is NO PARKING in the church parking lots next to the pool. Your car may be towed. Please carpool and park at the school, park, or neighborhood streets.
- Tonight is our last regular evening practice! Morning practices start on Monday (6/11). Practice times are as follows:
- High School: 6:45–7:45 am* (*Dryland until 8:15 am on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday)
- 12-14: 7:45–8:45 am* (*Dryland until 9:15 am on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday)
- 9-11: 8:45–9:30 am
- 8 & under: 9:30–10:15 am
- The Overnighter and Cardboard Boat Races are next weekend (6/16). Let the shipbuilding begin!
Jun 4, 2018
Dear Penguins and Parents:
Great swimming on Saturday! Our Mighty Penguins defeated the Almaden Gators, 125.7 to 114.3. Meet results have been posted to the website…and ribbons are in the family files!
PICTURE DAY TODAY (MONDAY 6/4)
- Individual photos for Association members will start at 4:00 pm.
- ALL swimmers should be at the pool by 5:15 pm for the team photo.
- Any remaining individual photos can be taken after the team photo.
- All swimmers should wear either an LPAC team suit or a plain black swim suit.
- We will still have practices as usual for all age groups:
- 10 & under: 6:00 – 7:00 pm
- 11-13: 7:00 – 8:00 pm
- 14-18: 8:00 – 9:00 pm
- Please check your family file for the photo order envelope and bring that to the photographer.
- Your team dues include one individual photo, one team photo, and a photo button. If you’d like to order additional copies and/or buddy photos, please bring your checkbook to make the additional payment.
WILL YOU BE AT THE MEET ON SATURDAY (6/9)?
This Saturday’s meet (6/9) is against the Montevideo Piranhas at the Los Paseos Pool. If your swimmer will have to miss any part of the meet, please send email TODAY to coaches@swimlpac.org and volunteers@swimlpac.org.
Montevideo does not have a pool that is big enough to host meets, and they usually host their “home” meets at Gunderson High School. However, that pool is not available this year, so they will be hosting the meet at our very own Los Paseos Pool!
Here are the families that we know will be missing at least part of the meet on 6/9: Delgado, King, Ngo, Nguyen.
ANOTHER LPAC RECORD BITES THE DUST
Daniela Fasan started off the 2018 swim season with a new record time of :56.63 in the 15-18 Girls 100 Yard Freestyle, breaking Nicole Richards’ record of :56.66 from 2014. Congratulations Dani!
THIS WEEK AT PRACTICE
It’s Butterfly Week at practice, as we’ll be focusing on improving our fly technique (especially breathing). If your butterfly needs improvement, come to practice. If it doesn’t, come anyway! (We promise to do other strokes, too.)
SOME GENERAL REMINDERS
- At all meets, swimmers are not allowed to wear suits or caps from any other teams, including year-round, high school, or college teams. This is a league rule, and we’ve already had a few swimmers who were DQ’d for this infraction. Please be sure your swimmer has an LPAC team suit or a plain black suit and an LPAC cap to wear at meets.
- Remember that smoking and/or vaping is NOT allowed on the pool premises.
MORNING PRACTICES START NEXT WEEK
We will move to morning practices starting next Monday (June 11). Practice times will be as follows:
- High School: 6:45–7:45/8:15 am*
- 12-14: 7:45–8:45/9:15 am*
- 9-11: 8:45–9:30 am
- 8 & under: 9:30–10:15 am
*Swimmers ages 12 and up have 30 minutes of dryland exercises immediately following their regular practice times on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. Please bring running shoes on those days.
Swimmers who are still in school or have work commitments may attend night practices, Monday through Thursday from 8:00-9:00 pm. Swimmers must have coaches’ prior permission to attend night practices.
SIGN UP NOW FOR THE RAFT TRIP ON JUNE 30
The team Raft Trip will be held this year on Saturday, June 30.
- If you’re planning to spend the night, you should make reservations now, as rooms are filling up quickly. See the web page for hotel contact information. Remember to say that you are with the LPAC Swim Team when you make your reservation at Motel 6 or Holiday Inn.
- The cost for the Raft Trip is $25 per person. Please make checks payable to LPAC.
- Each person must complete a Sunshine Rafting Waiver Form. Please turn these in with payment to the “Activities” folder ASAP to reserve your spot on the river!
UPCOMING EVENTS
