Jun 6, 2014
Some quick Friday updates and reminders:
CHECK IN TOMORROW AT 6:15 AM
In case of emergency, please call or text Coach Scott: 408-613-5126. Otherwise, we’ll see you all bright and early at the pool. Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen…it’s going to be a hot one!
TEAM SUITS AVAILABLE TODAY AT PRACTICE
Our new team suits are here! You can pick yours up tonight (Friday) at practice or tomorrow at the meet. You can also purchase a team cap for $10.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SATURDAY
Please check the Volunteer Assignments list for your assigned shift(s) for this Saturday.
We have the follow positions still open for second shift: women’s bathroom, ribbons, and timer. Please send email to Wendy Marley (marleywl@yahoo.com) ASAP if you can help with any of these.
We are also looking for a parent who is interested in training as a runner. This a great position for someone who likes to be around the action on the pool deck, as you’re walking around delivering all the meet printouts to the volunteers and coaches.
We always need a couple of parents to help escort our youngest swimmers to their spots at the correct end of the pool for the relays. If you have a child under 8 who is in a relay and you are not already working a shift, please plan to shadow them to the clerk of the course and help with getting all the swimmers where they need to be. It only takes a few minutes, and it positions you right there for the race!
ALWAYS CHECK OUT BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Just one more reminder…always check OUT with the coaches before you leave a meet. Even if you aren’t assigned to a relay, you might be needed as an emergency substitute. And we encourage you to stay to the end so you can cheer for all the relays!
PENGUIN POWER!
Jun 2, 2014
Time Trials on Saturday was a great success — thanks to all our swimmers, coaches, and parents for working hard and getting our season off to such a good start!
TIME TRIALS MAKE-UPS TODAY – NO REGULAR PRACTICES
Remember that today (Monday, June 2) is Time Trials Make-Up Day. There are no regular practices. Enjoy your evening off!
Swimmers who did not attend Time Trials (or who did not swim all of their events) must attend Time Trials Make-Up Day today. Please be at the pool and check in with the coaches at 6:00 pm. We need parents to stay to help set up, serve as timers and recorders, and clean up afterwards. We hope to be done no later than 8:00 pm.
THIS WEEK AT PRACTICE
The coaches this week will be working with swimmers on specific focus areas based on what they saw at time trials. They will also be working on relays and getting the whole team “race ready” for the meet against Almaden this weekend.
WILL YOU BE AT THE MEET ON SATURDAY?
If you will not be swimming at the meet this Saturday, or will have to miss any part of the meet, you must let the coaches know TODAY. You can either send email to the coaches (coaches@swimlpac.org) or fill out the “Note to Coaches” form at the pool. You should also notify Volunteer Coordinator Wendy Marley (marleywl@yahoo.com).
In general, please plan to notify both the coaches and the volunteer coordinators at least one week ahead of time if you will be missing a meet. The coaches start assigning events and relays on Mondays, and the volunteer coordinators need to be sure all shifts are covered. So please let us know ASAP if your swimmers will be missing any meets this season.
So far, these are the only swimmers we know will be missing this Saturday (6/7):
- Siena, Sofia and Sarina Seps: Have to leave at noon
DUAL MEET #1: ALMADEN @ LPAC (SATURDAY, 6/7)
Our first “real” meet of the season will be at home this Saturday against the Almaden Gators — traditionally the toughest team in the league. It’s time to show them our mighty PENGUIN POWER!
MEET CHECK-IN TIME: 6:15 AM (SORRY, THAT’S NOT A TYPO)
We love hosting meets in the friendly confines of our spacious and comfortable penguin home, but there is one drawback: we have to start quite early in the morning. Swimmers need to check in with the coaches starting at 6:15 am. Any swimmers who have not checked in by 6:30 am will be scratched from the meet.
Why do we have to get started so early? There are many reasons. The home team always has first warmups. LPAC’s home pool has only four usable racing lanes, so meets take longer than they do at other pools in the league. And we have to finish and clean up so that the pool can open to its members no later than 2:00 pm. This all adds up to an early start, which means a 6:15 check-in time.
Parents, please be sure your swimmers understand the importance of checking in on time. We had more than 50 swimmers check in late at Time Trials on Saturday. The problem is that any last-minute scratches or changes need to be entered into the computer, and those have to be done early so that all the lane sheets and other reports can be printed out.
It’s really a very simple equation: the meet cannot start on time if our swimmers do not check in on time. We all understand that it’s tough to get up early on a summer Saturday morning, but we’ve all got to do it.
And once you’re there, it’s actually kind of fun. There is something special about the smell of chlorine in the morning — and hanging out with friends watching the day begin!
If your child is ill on Saturday morning and cannot make it to the meet, please call Coach Scott’s cell phone: 408-613-5126.
WHAT TO WEAR
Our LPAC team swim suits should be available by Saturday; check email later this week for more info. All swimmers are encouraged to wear their team suits (or a plain black suit) and new LPAC caps during their races.
Please be aware that the league does have certain rules about what swimmers can (and can’t) wear during meets:
- Swimmers are NOT allowed to wear any other team caps (i.e., caps from year-round swim teams, high school teams, etc.).
- No rash guards or shirts are allowed.
- Girls’ suits must be above the knee and cannot have sleeves.
- Boys must wear jammers or Speedo-style briefs; no full-body suits are allowed.
- No suits with zippers, buckles, hooks, or other mechanical fasteners are allowed. Ties are OK.
If you don’t have one already, caps will be available to purchase for $10 at the announcer’s table during the meet. Team merchandise should also be available to pick up.
MORNING PRACTICES START NEXT WEEK!
We will switch to morning practice times starting next week (June 9). Practice times will be as follows:
- 15-18: 6:45–7:45/8:15* am (*dryland on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays)
- 12-14: 7:45–8:45/9:15* am (*dryland on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays)
- 9-11: 8:45–9:30 am
- 8 & under: 9:30–10:15 am
Swimmers who unable to attend morning practices because of school or 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.
*Swimmers ages 12 and up will also have 30 minutes of dryland exercises immediately after their regular practice times on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Please bring running shoes on these days.
May 30, 2014
Just a few quick updates before Time Trials tomorrow:
- Yes, there is practice tonight (Friday), though we know a lot of our penguin friends might still be enjoying the Los Paseos Carnival, graduation parties, or other fun events.
- Check-in time for Time Trials is 7:15 am. Swimmers should check in at the coaches’ table (near the shallow end of the pool), and parents need to check in at the Volunteer table outside the main entrance.
- If you want to check your events ahead of time, click on the “Meet Entries” link on the Time Trials web page: https://swimlpac.org/meets/time-trials/
- We’ve also posted a list of the buddy families to the website, so check that out if you haven’t met your buddies yet (or can’t quite remember who they are): https://swimlpac.org/team-info/buddy-families/
- Team merchandise will not be available tomorrow after all, but it should be here by next weekend. We will still have LPAC caps for sale, though.
- Team suits should be available on June 6. Swimmers can wear last year’s LPAC suit or any racing suit for Time Trials tomorrow.
See you all in the morning!
May 27, 2014
Hope you all had fun at Penguin Madness on Friday — check out the website home page for new photos! We had a great turnout for yesterday’s Memorial Day swim clinic, and the coaches enjoyed working with swimmers on their starts and turns. Now it’s time to start looking forward to Time Trials on Saturday!
*NEW EVENING PRACTICE TIMES START TODAY*
For the next two weeks, our evening practice times are compressed because the pool is open to members until 6:00 pm. Please note the new times and age groups (May 27 through June 6):
- 8 & under: 6:00–7:00 pm
- 9-12: 7:00–8:00 pm
- 13-18: 8:00–9:00 pm
THIS WEEK AT PRACTICE
In these two weeks of compressed practices, the lanes are going to be more crowded than usual. The coaches will be focusing on conditioning and endurance, building yardage as they get swimmers ready for Time Trials on Saturday. Swimmers will also be practicing diving off the blocks, so it’s especially important that new swimmers come to practice every day this week if possible.
VOLUNTEER SHIFTS AT TIME TRIALS
The Volunteer List for Time Trials this Saturday has been posted to the Time Trials page on the website under “Links.” Meet entries and results will eventually be posted here as well, once those reports are available.
Please check the list for your name and assigned shift. If you don’t see your name listed but you do have a child who will be swimming at Time Trials, please e-mail Wendy Marley at marleywl@yahoo.com. If you see your name but your child is NOT swimming, please also e-mail Wendy, so the position can be filled.
We still need volunteers to work first shift woman’s bathroom and trash duty and second shift men’s bathroom. These jobs may not sound very glamorous, but they are actually ideal positions for anyone who is new to the team or has younger kids, because there is a lot of flexibility. We have openings for the following 3 home meets as well.
For second shift, we are in need of a couple of timers. This is the perfect opportunity to train as a timer, as the pressures are a little lighter with just our team on deck. There should be an experienced timer in each lane, and head timers on deck, to help out if you have any questions.
Please note, we really need everyone to pitch in at Time Trials. Because there is no other team, we have to man all the volunteer roles, and we have several families who will be out of town this weekend. If you have a child swimming, we need your help! If you have more than one swimmer swimming, we may need you twice. If you know another family in the same position, offer to split a second shift with them!
TIME TRIALS ON SATURDAY, MAY 31
Time Trials will be this Saturday, May 31. Check-in time for swimmers and parent volunteers is 7:15 am. Coach Scott will have a brief meeting for new swimmers and their parents starting at 7:20 am. The meet should be done around 1:00 pm.
If you are new to the team, you might want to check out the Swim Meet Survival Tips article on the website for some helpful advice about what to bring, what to wear, etc.
If your child will be unable to attend time trials, you need to let the coaches know ASAP. Please send email to coaches@swimlpac.org or leave a “Note to Coaches” in the file box. Any swimmers who do not attend Time Trials must come to the make-up day on Monday, June 2.
TIME TRIALS MAKE-UP DAY: MONDAY, JUNE 2 (NO REGULAR PRACTICES)
Swimmers who cannot attend Time Trials on Saturday must come to Make-Up Day on Monday, June 2 at 6:00 pm. Parents are expected to stay and volunteer as timers and recorders during Make-Up Day. Please note there will be no regular team practices on Monday.
NEW CAPS AVAILABLE AT TIME TRIALS
We have new black-and-white LPAC team caps this year! Caps will be available at Time Trials for $10. Check out the Suits and Merchandise page of the website to see what they look like. All swimmers are encouraged to purchase a cap and wear it during meets. A team cap looks cool, shows your penguin pride, and makes it easy for the coaches and spectators to quickly identify LPAC swimmers. If you ordered team merchandise, it will also be available to pick up at Time Trials.
May 19, 2014
Did you know we’re already 1/4 of the way through the swim season? Time goes fast when you’re having fun!
Many thanks to Tabby Vaidyanath and the pancake crew for hosting a yummy breakfast on Saturday morning. We’ve got more fun team events coming up this week…
THIS WEEK AT PRACTICE
It’s Kick Week at Los Paseos! We’ll be spending every day this week focusing on a very important (but sometimes overlooked) part of stroke technique: kicking.
PENGUIN MADNESS THIS FRIDAY
Penguin Madness will be this Friday, May 23 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. There will be no swim practice on this day.
Preliminary team rosters are posted to the Penguin Madness page of the website. Swimmers are encouraged to wear the color of their designated penguin team if possible.
If you haven’t signed up yet, it’s not too late! Send an email today to Jim Read (jamesread70@sbcglobal.net) and include your child’s name and age. There is no cost for this event.
Parents and siblings are welcome to come and cheer for their favorite penguins. We recommend that you bring snacks, water, and folding chairs or blankets to sit on. We will also be doing a fundraiser night at Baja Fresh that day, so watch your email for the flyer later this week. Hope to see you all at the Madness!
GAME NIGHT RESCHEDULED
Game Night for the high school age group has been rescheduled for Friday, May 23 (right after Penguin Madness). Bring your favorite board games and some snacks to share!
MEMORIAL DAY SWIM CLINIC
There are no regular team practices on Memorial Day, but swimmers are invited to attend an optional Swim Clinic that morning from 9:00am to 10:30am. The coaches will be working with small groups of kids on diving from the blocks, backstroke starts, pulldowns, and all types of turns. Swimmers who want to work on any of these skills are welcome to attend. There is no cost for this event.
PRACTICE TIMES CHANGE AFTER MEMORIAL DAY
After Memorial Day, the pool is open to its members until 6:00 pm. This means that we have to compress our swim practices for the last two weeks until school is out (May 27 until June 6). Please note the new times and age groups:
- 8 & under: 6:00–7:00 pm
- 9-12: 7:00–8:00 pm
- 13-18: 8:00–9:00 pm
TIME TRIALS ON MAY 31
The first swim meet of the season is Time Trials, which is just like a regular meet but without the other team. LPAC swimmers race against their own teammates. The purpose of time trials is to determine, under real race conditions, each swimmer’s time in every event. These times are used to determine seedings and calculate improvement points at the dual meets.
Attendance at Time Trials is mandatory, and we need parents to volunteer for positions just like at dual meets. It’s a good chance for swimmers and parents to get warmed up for the start of the season—and a great opportunity for our newest penguins to experience their very first races!
If your child will be unable to attend time trials, you need to let the coaches know ASAP. Please send email to coaches@swimlpac.org or leave a “Note to Coaches” in the file box. Any swimmers who do not attend Time Trials must come to the make-up day on Monday, June 2.
NEW CAPS AVAILABLE AT TIME TRIALS
We have new black-and-white LPAC team caps this year! Caps will be available at Time Trials for $10. Check out the Suits and Merchandise page of the website to see what they look like. All swimmers are encouraged to purchase a cap and wear it during meets. A team cap looks cool, shows your penguin pride, and makes it easy for the coaches and spectators to quickly identify LPAC swimmers. If you ordered team merchandise, it will also be available to pick up at Time Trials.
LOOKING GOOD, LPAC!
Many of you might have already noticed a number of improvements around the pool this year. Thanks to the generosity of our penguin families and other swim-a-thon supporters, we had enough funds to purchase sturdy new backstroke poles, a brand-new team record board, and new crowd-control stanchions (to finally replace the rusty old cement-poured-in-coffee-can poles that Coach Scott’s father made back in the 1980s!). Special thanks to Kevin Nichols for installing all of the new equipment. It feels good to class up the joint, so thank you everyone for supporting LPAC!
May 13, 2014
Looks like it’s going to be a great week for swimming! Here are just a few reminders about upcoming team events:
PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Saturday, May 17
Celebrate the start of the swim season and catch up with your LPAC friends at the Pancake Breakfast this Saturday, May 17, from 8:30 to 10:00 am. The cost is just $5 for all the pancakes you can eat, and all proceeds benefit the team! You do not need to RSVP for this event, but we could always use extra helpers. Please contact Tabby Vaidyanath (408-578-8319) if you are able to help with setup, cooking, and/or cleanup. Hope to see you there!
SIGN UP NOW FOR PENGUIN MADNESS
Penguin Madness will be on Friday, May 23 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. There is no cost for this fun team-building event, but we do need you to sign up now so that we can assign swimmers to their penguin teams. If your kids plan to attend, please send email to Grand Penguin Poobah Jim Read with your kids’ names and ages. For more information, see the Penguin Madness page on the website.
GAME NIGHT RESCHEDULED
Game Night for the high school age group has been rescheduled for Friday, May 23 (right after Penguin Madness). Bring your favorite board games and some snacks to share!
MEMORIAL DAY SWIM CLINIC
There are no regular team practices on Memorial Day (Monday, May 26), but swimmers are invited to attend an optional Swim Clinic that morning from 9:00am to 10:30am. The coaches will be working with small groups of kids on diving from the blocks, backstroke starts, pulldowns, and all types of turns. Swimmers who want to work on any of these skills are welcome to attend.
