LPAC: Friday reminders (6/9/16)

Jun 9, 2016

Just a couple of quick reminders:

  1. Saturday’s meet against Belwood is at the Los Paseos Pool. Swimmers need to check in with the coaches Saturday morning before 6:30 am.
  2. If your child is ill, please call or text Coach Scott at 408-613-5126.
  3. Updated Volunteer Assignments for the Belwood Meet have been posted to the website. Thanks to everyone for helping fill in the gaps!
  4. If you’re going on the Raft Trip and plan to stay at the Motel 6 in Oakdale, call 209-847-8181 to reserve your room now! Our block of rooms will only be held through this weekend.

See you all Saturday morning…GO PENGUINS!!

LPAC Weekly Update: 6/6/16

Jun 6, 2016

Many thanks to all our swimmers, coaches, and parent volunteers for working so hard at Time Trials on Saturday and getting our season off to a great start. Now it’s time to take on the Belwood Dolphins!

 

TIME TRIALS MAKE-UPS TODAY – NO NIGHT PRACTICE

Remember that today (Monday, June 6) is Time Trials Make-Up Day. There is no night practice tonight.

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 8:00 pm. We need parents to stay and help set up, serve as timers and recorders, and clean up afterwards. It is likely to be dark by the time we’re done, so please bring a flashlight.

Please note that it is very important for swimmers to get a time in every event. A swimmer who enters a meet without a time is ineligible for improvement, which ends up costing the team valuable points. In past years we have sometimes won or lost meets by just .01 points, so every point really does count! (If you’re curious about how the scoring system works, check out How Swim Meets Are Scored on the team website.)

 

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, diving off the blocks, and getting the whole team “race ready” for the Belwood meet this weekend. This is the first week of summer vacation for many of you, so let’s get it off to a great start and come to practice every day if you can…we will need all our penguins swimming their best on Saturday!

 

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. Please send email to the coaches (coaches@swimlpac.org) and also notify Volunteer Coordinator Cecie Boston (volunteers@swimlpac.org).

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, we have heard that the following swimmers are missing all or part of the meet this Saturday (6/11): Kayla Fewkes, Nick FUmagalli, Cailyn Fang, Mackenzie and Ainsley Keslin, Ashley and Dillon Blacow, CJ and Noah Taylor, Alex Delgado, Justin Barnes, and Everett Leung-Thomas.

 

DUAL MEET #1: BELWOOD @ LPAC (SATURDAY, 6/11)

Our first “real” meet of the season is at home against the Belwood Dolphins. We love swimming at our own pool, but the one downside is that we only have four lanes, so meets do take a little longer. We get started early in the morning so the pool can open to members no later than 2:00 pm.

Swimmers and parents will need to check in no later than 6:30 am. The meet will start at 8:00 am and should be done around 1:30 pm.

Preliminary volunteer assignments have been posted to the website, but we still need additional volunteers for the following positions:

  • Kitchen and Outdoor Set up – 6am
  • 1st Shift Hospitality
  • 1st Shift Marshal
  • 2nd Shift Marshal
  • 2nd Shift Clerk of the Course
  • 2nd Shift Runner
  • Kitchen and Outdoor Clean Up

Parents, please remember that we need all families to stay and clean up at the end of the meet. Even if you are not signed up for the Clean-Up Crew, please do your part to move chairs back in place, pick up trash, and get the pool ready to open to members on time.

Watch for more details about the meet later this week.

OVERNIGHTER AND CARDBOARD BOAT RACES (JUNE 18-19)

The team Overnighter this year will be the night of Saturday, June 18. This annual event is one of LPAC’s most treasured traditions and a highlight of the 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 cost is $15 per swimmer. Swimmers ages 6 and under are welcome to come on Saturday evening, but must be picked up by 10:00pm. You can find more information and download the form on the Overnighter page of the website.

The Penguin Regatta Cardboard Boat Races also take place during the Overnighter, starting at 6:00 pm. All penguins are encouraged to team up with their swim team friends to construct a sea-worthy vessel using only cardboard, duct tape, and paint. Unofficial prizes are awarded for the fastest boat, best boat theme and the most spectacular sink. Parents are welcome to stay and cheer. Please be prepared to take home the remains of any boats that you bring. There is not enough room in the Los Paseos dumpster for all the soggy shipwrecks! Check the Cardboard Boat Races page for more details.

UPCOMING EVENTS

LPAC Friday Reminders: 6/3/16

Jun 3, 2016

Happy Friday! Just a few quick notices and reminders:

  1. Swimmers and parent volunteers need to check in at Time Trials tomorrow morning by 7:15 am. Please call or text Coach Scott at 408-613-5126 if your child is ill that morning.
  2. Please check the updated Volunteer Assignments and be sure you are able to work your assigned shift(s). Note that we do still have some empty slots to fill; please step up to help if you are able!
  3. Any swimmers who do not attend Time Trials (or miss any of their events) MUST come to Time Trial makeups on Monday (6/6) at 8:00 pm. Parents are needed to stay and help as timers and recorders. Note there will be no regular evening practices on Monday.
  4. Suits and Merchandise will be available to pick up at practice tonight (Friday 6/3) from 6 to 8 pm. The t-shirt order has been delayed but should be arriving shortly.
  5. Morning practices will start on Monday (6/6) at the following times:
    • 15-18: 6:45–7:45/8:15 am* (*30 minutes dryland on M/W/Th)
    • 12-14: 7:45–8:45/9:15 am* (*30 minutes dryland on M/W/Th)
    • 9-11: 8:45–9:30 am
    • 8 & under: 9:30–10:15 am
  6. Swimmers who are 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. However, please note there will be no night practice on Monday, June 6 due to Time Trials make-ups.

GO PENGUINS!

 

LPAC Weekly Update: 5/31/16

May 31, 2016

Hope everyone had a great time at Penguin Madness on Friday. We had a good turnout for yesterday’s Memorial Day swim clinic, and the coaches got to work closely with swimmers on their starts, turns, and pulldowns. 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 (today through June 3):

  • 9 & under: 6:00–7:00 pm
  • 10-13: 7:00–8:00 pm
  • 14-18: 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 meet readiness before Time Trials on Saturday, so it’s especially important that new swimmers come to practice every day this week if possible.

 

TIME TRIALS ON SATURDAY, JUNE 4

Time Trials will be this Saturday, June 4. Swimmers and parents should check in no later than 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 not be able to attend Time Trials, you need to let the coaches and volunteer coordinators know ASAP. Please send email to coaches@swimlpac.org and volunteers@swimlpac.org. Any swimmers who do not attend Time Trials must come to the make-up day on Monday, June 6 at 8:00 pm.

So far, we have heard that the following swimmers are going to be missing all or part of Time Trials: Holland and Zurie Adam; Anthony and Luke Anderson; Dillon and Ashley Blacow; Oskar and Theo Brady; Alex, Lucas, and Gabrielle Castro; Megan Cristal; Alex Delgado; Phyllis, Daitarih and Cresside Hansen, Amanda Jackson, Ana and Karla Julian, Everett Leung-Thomas, Maddy Nelson; Sophia, Sarina and Siena Seps; CJ and Noah Taylor; Ishir Vaidyanath.

 

VOLUNTEER SHIFTS AT TIME TRIALS

Volunteer assignments for this Saturday have 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(s). If you don’t see your name listed but you do have a child who will be swimming at Time Trials, please e-mail Cecie Boston at volunteers@swimlpac.org. If you see your name but your child is NOT swimming, please also e-mail Cecie, so the position can be filled. We still have the following openings that need to be filled:

  • 1st shift Men’s Restroom
  • 1st shift Marshall
  • 2nd shift Clerk of the Course
  • 2nd shift Lane 1 Timer
  • 2nd shift Marshall
  • 2nd shift Kitchen Helper
  • Set Up / Clean Up

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 to work an extra shift. If you know another family in the same position, offer to split a second shift with them!

 

TIME TRIALS MAKE-UP DAY: MONDAY, JUNE 6

Swimmers who cannot attend Time Trials on Saturday must come to Make-Up Day on Monday, June 1 at 8:00 pm. Parents are expected to stay and volunteer as timers and recorders during Make-Up Day. We will be getting a very late start (because the pool is open to members until 8:00 pm), so it is VERY important that you arrive on time! Please note there will be no regular night practices on Monday.

 

MORNING PRACTICES START NEXT WEEK!

We will switch to morning practice times starting next week (June 6). Practice times will be as follows:

  • High School: 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 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.

Swimmers who are 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. However, please note there will be no night practice on Monday, June 6 due to Time Trials make-ups.

 

SWIM LESSONS

Though our LPAC coaches focus on stroke technique every day at practice, there’s only so much they can do with 30-40 kids in the pool at one time. Individual or small-group swim lessons can be a great way to improve your strokes, starts, and turns even more. Check the Swim Lessons page of our team website for some different places that offer individualized stroke instruction for all ages.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

LPAC: Friday reminders (5/26/16)

May 26, 2016

Just a few quick reminders:

  • We’re looking forward to seeing everyone on Friday at Penguin Madness from 6-8 pm! NorCal Swim Shop will be there selling suits, caps and goggles, so you can stock up before Time Trials. High school swimmers are meeting for Game Night afterwards at the Burkes’ home; please bring snacks or drinks to share.
  • Remember, there are no regular practices on Memorial Day (Monday 5/30), but there is an optional swim clinic between 9:00 am and 10:30 am. Swimmers can come any time and do not have to stay for the entire time.
  • We’ll resume practices on Tuesday (5/31), but please note the slightly different practice groups and times:
    • 9 & under: 6:00–7:00 pm
    • 10-13: 7:00–8:00 pm
    • 14-18: 8:00–9:00 pm
  • Volunteer shifts for Time Trials and our first home meet against Belwood are attached to this email and posted to the website. Please review to be sure you are able to work your assigned shift(s). If you have not already signed up, please send email ASAP to volunteers@swimlpac.org. Also, please send email if you will be missing either Time Trials or the first home meet on 6/11.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Weekly Update: 5/23/16

May 23, 2016

PENGUIN PLAYDATE ON TUESDAY!

Our youngest penguins (5-6 year olds) and their parents are invited to meet at Los Paseos Park this Tuesday (May 24) at 4:30 pm for a pre-practice playdate. It’s a chance to catch up with old friends and make some new penguin pals! Please bring a snack to share; we can all walk or ride over swim practice together afterwards.

PENGUIN MADNESS THIS FRIDAY

Penguin Madness will be this Friday, May 27, 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 (but not required) to wear the color of their designated penguin team. Note that these are all dryland games, so wear comfortable clothes and shoes so you can run, jump, crawl, etc.

If you haven’t signed up yet, it’s not too late! Send an email today to info@swimlpac.org 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 warm layers, plus snacks, water, and folding chairs or blankets to sit on.

NorCal Swim Shop will be coming to Penguin Madness this year and will be selling practice suits, caps, or goggles. This is a great chance to stock up for the season without making a trip to the store!

Swimmers in the high school practice group are invited to the Burkes’ house (26 Via Campina) for Game Night immediately following Penguin Madness. Please bring snacks or drinks to share!

MEMORIAL DAY SWIM CLINIC

There are no regular team practices on Memorial Day (Monday, May 30), 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.

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 one week until school is out (May 31 through June 3). Please note the new times and age groups:

  • 9 & under: 6:00–7:00 pm
  • 10-13: 7:00–8:00 pm
  • 14-18: 8:00–9:00 pm
 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Parents, there are several important volunteer positions that we still need to fill. We are looking for 2 clean-up helpers, 1 clerk of the course, 2 deck marshals, 2 kitchen “shadow” helpers, and 2 assistant volunteer coordinators. It really does take a village to run our swim team, so please step up to help out if you can! As an extra incentive, we’ll put your name in a hat and draw for a guaranteed up-front parking spot at home meets. Send email to Cecie Boston at volunteers@swimlpac.org and let us know how you’d like to help.

TIME TRIALS ON JUNE 4

The first swim meet of the season is Time Trials, which is just like a regular meet but without the other team. At Time Trials, LPAC swimmers race against their own teammates to establish times in every event under real race conditions. These times are used to determine seedings and calculate improvement points at the 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!

Attendance at Time Trials is mandatory, and we need parents to volunteer for positions just like at dual meets. If you haven’t yet signed up for a volunteer shift, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Cecie Boston at volunteers@swimlpac.org.

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 Time Trial Make-Ups on Monday, June 6 at 8:00 pm.

UPCOMING EVENTS

LPAC Weekly Update: 5/16/16

May 16, 2016

Thanks to Tabby Vaidyanath and her crew of flapjack flippers for hosting a fun Pancake Breakfast on Saturday. Now on to Week 3!

PENGUIN MADNESS COMING SOON!

Are you ready for Penguin Madness? If your child plans to participate, please reply to this email TODAY so we can start assembling the penguin teams. This year Penguin Madness will be on Friday, May 27 from 6:00-8:00 pm (there are no regular practices on that day). Parents are welcome to come watch the madness!

THIS WEEK AT PRACTICE

This week, the coaches will be evaluating each swimmer in all four strokes to determine what specific areas to focus on this season. We’ve had great attendance so far; please continue coming to practice every day if you can!

NEW RULES AT POOL DURING PRACTICES

The Los Paseos Association asked that all children and parents please comply with the following rules during swim team practices:

  • Children not participating in practice must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
  • No children are allowed south of the pool, above the grass area, or south of the upper deck, and specifically no access to the shed area, or in and around the Pool Equipment House.
  • No one is allowed in the baby pool at any time.
  • Swim team members not in the pool must either be with their parents or in the Sports Court.

Pool Off Limits Map

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR YOUR VOLUNTEER SHIFTS YET?

Every family needs to sign up for at least one shift at every meet their swimmer(s) attend; families with more than one swimmer may be needed to work additional shifts. If you haven’t signed up yet, please send email to Cecie Boston at volunteers@swimlpac.org. We are especially in need of more volunteers for the clean-up shifts after home meets. This job is very important, as we really need to have all hands on deck (literally) to clean up the pool and get it ready to open to members. It’s a good fit if you have young kids and don’t want to have to work during the meet — or if you’d rather sleep in late and come help after the meet is over! We are also looking for additional volunteers for Announcer, Clerk of the Course, and Stroke and Turn judges (see note below). If you are able to help out, please send email to volunteers@swimlpac.org.

STROKE AND TURN CLINIC FOR PARENT VOLUNTEERS

Parents, if you’re interested in getting trained as a Stroke & Turn judge, plan to attend the Stroke & Turn Clinic on Saturday, May 21 from 9:00 to 11:30 am at the Los Paseos Clubhouse. Judges are needed to observe every race and be sure swimmers are swimming each stroke correctly. It’s a great way to learn more about the sport and get involved during meets!

RESERVE ROOMS NOW FOR RAFT TRIP

The team raft trip this year will be on Saturday, July 2. Many families like to stay overnight (either Friday or Saturday, or both). We have reserved a small block of rooms at the Motel 6 in Oakdale, but they do fill up quickly and will only be reserved until June 5. Rooms with one king bed are $99; rooms with two queens are $109 (plus tax); breakfast is NOT included. Call 209-847-8181 to reserve your room today. For more information, see the Raft Trip page on the website.

UPCOMING EVENTS

LPAC Weekly Update: 5/9/16

May 9, 2016

It was great to see so many penguins back in the water for the first week of practices! Even though things are always crazy busy this time of year, we hope you’ll keep up the good work and keep attending as many practices as you can.

WELCOME NEW PENGUINS!

We’ve got 15 brand new penguins on the team this year! Welcome to Benjamin, Marcus, Niondre, Maleah, Lowen, Eva, Sophia, Cailyn, Maddy, Braden, Chakkit, Neylan, Lavenia, Vasiti, and Gavin! And special thanks to all the high school swimmers who have been helping out during practices.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST ON SATURDAY

Kids and parents are invited to catch up with their swim team friends at the annual Pancake Breakfast this Saturday, May 14 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am at the clubhouse. The cost is $5 per person at the door; you do not need to RSVP for this event. Hope to see you there!

EMAIL COACHES

Just a reminder: if you need to communicate with the coaches about schedule conflicts or any other issues, please send email to coaches@swimlpac.org.

PENGUIN MADNESS COMING SOON!

Most of the year, we’re all one big happy penguin family. But at Penguin Madness, swimmers from all age groups are grouped into different penguin teams to compete in fun non-swimming events like tug-of-war and musical chairs to see who has the most penguin power. This year Penguin Madness will be on Friday, May 27 from 6:00-8:00 pm (there are no regular practices on that day). If your child plans to participate, please reply to this email.

STROKE & TURN CLINIC ON MAY 21

We are in need of new Stroke & Turn judges. If you’re interested, please plan to attend the special training clinic on Saturday, May 21, at 9:00 am at the Los Paseos Clubhouse. The session usually lasts until 11:30 am. For more information, contact Nancy Keslin at nkeslin@yahoo.com or 408-838-5604.

SIGN UP FOR VOLUNTEER SHIFTS

If you haven’t already signed up to volunteer at meets, please contact Wendy Marley at marleywl@yahoo.com or 408-218-2779. For home meets we still need people for the clean up crew; many hands make light work! We also need snack bar help first and second shifts, selling yummy food to hungry meet attendees. For the away meets, we’ll need lots of timers and recorders.

UPCOMING EVENTS

LPAC Update: 4/25/16

Apr 25, 2016

The long winter wait is almost over! We’re looking forward to getting all penguins back in the water for the first day of practice next Monday (5/2).

PARENT MEETING ON THURSDAY
The New Parent Meeting is this Thursday, April 28. Returning families are invited to come by the clubhouse at 7:00 pm to pick up handouts and sign up for volunteer shifts. New families should plan to attend the meeting, which will start at 7:30 pm. Returning families are welcome (but not required) to stay as well.

2016 COACHING STAFF
Coaches Scott Jackson, Ryan Hussey, and Nicole Richards will be returning this year, and Connor Bleeg and Ben Jackson will be joining the coaching staff. We’re looking forward to a great season!


PRACTICES BEGIN MONDAY, MAY 2
Practice times will be as follows:

  • All new swimmers: 5:00-5:30 pm (May 2-6 only)
  • 8 & under: 5:30–6:15 pm
  • 9-11: 6:15–7:00 pm
  • 12-14: 7:00–8:00 pm
  • High school: 8:00–9:00 pm


UPCOMING EVENTS

Check the Team Calendar for a complete list of upcoming events.

Hope to see you all on Thursday!

Polar Penguin Plunge on January 2!

Jan 1, 2016

Holiday greetings, penguins and parents!

Hope you are all enjoying some time off from school and work.

We’d like to invite you to kick off the new year by taking a Polar Penguin Plunge into the truly frigid waters at Los Paseos Pool on Saturday, January 2 at 10:00 am. Swimmers of all ages (and slightly crazy parents, too) are welcome to join in — it’s definitely going to be chilly, but it is truly a badge of honor to say you’ve taken the plunge!

There will be hot cocoa and cookies afterwards…please be sure to bring towels and warm clothes to hop into as soon as you get out!

Hope to see you there…

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