LPAC Weekly Update: 6/27/16

Jun 27, 2016

Dear Penguins and Parents:

It was a close one, but Oaktree ended up winning Saturday’s meet by a final score of 109.8 to 108.6. Once again, LPAC actually had the edge in overall place points, but Oaktree pulled ahead in the second half with more improvement points. It’s a good reminder that every race and every swimmer really can make a difference! Meet results are posted to the Oaktree page of the website.

WILL YOU BE AT THE MEET ON JULY 9?

This weekend is a bye, so there is no meet on Saturday, July 2. But if you will be missing any part of the Almaden meet on July 9, please let both the coaches and volunteer coordinators know this week.

SWIM-A-THON ON WEDNESDAY

This Wednesday (June 29) will be the annual Swim-a-Thon fundraiser. Swimmers should get pledges now (either a flat rate or price per lap) and then come to their regular practice time to swim as many laps as they can. Parents, we need at least five volunteers to stay at each practice and help count laps (but the coaches will take care of the early-morning high school practice). There are lots of fun prizes planned this year, and anybody who swims has a chance to win! Check the Swim-a-Thon page of the website to download a pledge form. Funds raised this year will help purchase new team EZ-Ups and other equipment. Please note that all donations are tax-deductible.

RAFT TRIP IS FULL

We’ve filled all the boats for the Raft Trip this Saturday. If you’ve signed up but end up not being able to go, please let Chad Seps know ASAP, as there are people on the waiting list hoping to attend. Those of you that are signed up, be sure to check the Raft Trip page of the website for a map and a list of what to bring (and what not to bring). Happy rafting!

NO PRACTICE ON MONDAY

Happy Fourth of July! Remember, there is no morning or evening practice on Monday, July 4. Regular practices resume on July 5.

GIFTS FOR COACHES

If you’d like to contribute to team-wide gifts for our awesome LPAC coaches, please see Judy Seps at the Almaden meet on July 9.

CHAMPS MEAL ORDERS

It’s hard to believe, but there are only four weeks left in the swim season! That means it’s already time to start thinking about Champs. The VCSL Championship Meet will be held at Morgan Hill Aquatic Center on Saturday, July 23. With all six teams competing against each other, this is a very big and very long meet (typically lasting until about 4:00 pm). We strongly recommend that you pre-order breakfast or lunch (or both!) from the Snack Bar or from Panera. This year the snack bar will serve only pre-orders until 8:00 am for breakfast and until 1:00 pm for lunch, and will prepare only a limited number of additional meals. So if you want to eat, be sure to get your order forms in ahead of time! Please turn in orders and payment to the “CHAMPS MEALS” folder by July 9. You can write one check to “LPAC” for all meals. Order forms are attached to this email and are also posted to the Champs page of the website.

CHAMPS PROGRAM ADS

Show your penguin pride and place an ad in the Champs Program! 100% of the proceeds go directly to LPAC, so this is a great way to help support the team while giving a shout-out to your favorite penguins or promoting your business. The cost is $15 for a business card-size ad, $30 for half-page, and $50 for full-page. Use the attached order form to design your own ad, or just email photos and text to Kris Fuss and she can design one for you.

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

 

Friday reminders (6/24/16)

Jun 24, 2016

TGIF! Some quick reminders before tomorrow’s meet at Oaktree:

  1. The meet is at Oaktree Swim Club, located at the corner of Chrismara Court and Castello Drive.
  2. Swimmers need to check in with coaches no later than 7:30 am. Please leave time to find street parking and walk to the pool.
  3. If your child is ill Saturday morning, please call or text Coach Scott: 408-613-5126.
  4. The meet starts at 8:30 am, and Oaktree will be running six lanes.
  5. You can find a map, meet entries, and volunteer assignments on the LPAC @ Oaktree page of the website.
  6. Our team area is on the grass under the big tree. Space will be limited, so please plan to squeeze in tight!
  7. Remember to turn in Raft Trip entry forms, payment, and signed waivers if you haven’t already done so.

Let’s take a chomp out of the Sharks…GO PENGUINS!

LPAC Weekly Update: 6/20/16

Jun 20, 2016

Congratulations Penguins! LPAC won the meet against Montevideo by a final score of 120.2 to 110.5. Now let’s see if we can carry some of that momentum into this Saturday’s meet against the Oaktree Sharks!

Special thanks to all the parents who helped make the Overnighter a fun night for all — especially the board members and spouses who stayed up all night. Parents, be sure to check lost and found for anything that might have been left behind. If you’d like, you can view and download goofy penguin pictures from the Overnighter Photo Booth.

RECORD-BREAKING SWIMS

Sarina Seps had a phenomenal day on Saturday, breaking not just one but two LPAC team records for 7-8 girls with a 16.96 in butterfly and 15.70 in freestyle (both records previously held by Madison Mamola). Mackenzie Keslin also shaved a fraction of a second off her own 15-18 girls backstroke record with a 29.16. Great swims, girls!

WILL YOU BE AT THE OAKTREE MEET THIS SATURDAY?

Hopefully you have already let the coaches and volunteer coordinators know if your child is going to miss any part of this Saturday’s meet at Oaktree. If not, please send email to coaches@swimlpac.org and volunteers@swimlpac.org TODAY! So far the swimmers we know that will be missing Saturday’s meet are: Jake Allen; Ashley and Dillon Blacow; Jack Boston; Trevor Buchanan; Alex Delgado; Alexis Galindo; Amanda Jackson; Sarah King; Everett Leung-Thomas; Zoe and Dylan Marley; CJ and Noah Taylor.

SATURDAY’S MEET: AT OAKTREE

This Saturday (June 25) will be our second and final away meet of the season, at Oaktree. The Oaktree Sharks are always a tough opponent and won Champs last year. We’ll need all penguins to swim their best to get a victory, so please come to practice every day this week if you can! We’ll have more details about check-in times and volunteer assignments later this week.

DON’T MISS THE BOAT!

If you’re planning to go on the Raft Trip on July 2, please turn in your signup form, payment, and signed waivers to the “Activities” folder by June 25. The cost is $30 per person. You can download forms and find additional information on the Raft Trip page of the website.

SWIM-A-THON: START COLLECTING PLEDGES!

The annual Swim-a-Thon fundraiser will be on Wednesday, June 29 during regular practice times. This year we are raising money to buy some new heavy-duty team EZ-Ups that we can use at home and away meets. Start collecting pledges now and then swim as many laps as you can to earn money for the team (and great prizes too)! Pledge forms are posted to the Swim-a-Thon web page.

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

 

 

 

LPAC: Friday reminders (6/16/16)

Jun 17, 2016

Happy Friday! A few quick reminders:

  1. NO practice this morning — it’s Picture Day! Individual photos start at 9:00 am; the team photo will be taken at 10:00 am. Please wear your LPAC team suit or a plain black suit.
  2. Saturday’s meet is at Gunderson High School. Swimmers need to check in with the coaches before 7:30 am. The meet will start at 8:30 am. Meet entries and updated volunteer assignments have been posted to the LPAC @ Montevideo web page.
  3. If your swimmer is ill Saturday morning, please call or text Coach Scott: 408-613-5126.
  4. The Overnighter starts at 6:00 pm on Saturday. Parents are welcome to stay and watch the Penguin Regatta cardboard boat races. Swimmers should be picked up Sunday morning by 8:00 am.

GO PENGUINS!

LPAC Weekly Update: 6/13/16

Jun 13, 2016

Dear Penguins and Parents:

Congratulations on a well-run and well-swum meet on Saturday! Belwood ended up winning by an overall score of 135.4 to 127.4. LPAC did have a slight advantage in overall place points, but Belwood had a higher improvement percentage. Results have been posted to the Belwood page of the website. Next up: the Montevideo Piranhas!

Note that we’re officially into the second half of the swim season now, so that means there is a LOT going on. Please bear with this longer-than-usual email and be sure you read all the way through, so you don’t miss out on any of the fun!

WILL YOU BE AT THE MONTEVIDEO MEET ON SATURDAY?

If your swimmers will be missing any part of the meet this weekend, you must email both the coaches and the volunteer coordinators TODAY. So far the swimmers we know will be missing at least part of the Montevideo meet are: Ashley and Dillon Blacow; Alex Delgado; Milo Fedane; Jake Fuss; Daitarih, Phyllis & Cressida Hansen; Ana & Karla Julian; Aria Manole; Lowen Provost; Siena, Sarina & Sofia Seps; CJ and Noah Taylor; Sarah King; Leah Thompson; Kayla Wensmann; Steven & Lizzie Webb.

CONGRATULATIONS DANI!

Yes, she’s done it again. Daniela Fasan went 26.18 in the 13-14 Girls 50 Yard Freestyle on Saturday, shaving 1/10 of a second off her own record from last year. Great swimming Dani!

PICTURE DAY THIS FRIDAY MORNING (6/17) – NO PRACTICE

Individual and team photos will be taken this Friday (June 17). Individual photos start at 9:00 am; the team photo will be taken at 10:00 am. Swimmers should wear their LPAC team suits or plain black suits. Your registration fees include one individual photo, one team photo, and a photo button. Please bring your checkbook if you’d like to order any extras, like buddy photos or additional prints. Please note there will be NO morning or evening practices on Friday.

LPAC @ MONTEVIDEO THIS SATURDAY

The second meet of the season will be an away meet against Montevideo. Because their pool is too small to host meets, we will be swimming at Gunderson High School (622 Gaundabert Lane). We will have more details later in the week about check-in times. Volunteer shifts have been posted to the website. Note that Gunderson is a big pool, and we will be running 9 lanes at this meet. This means the meet should go by faster, but we also need extra parent helpers to time and record.

OVERNIGHTER & CARDBOARD BOAT RACES THIS WEEKEND

The team Overnighter and Penguin Regatta Cardboard Boat Races will be this Saturday, June 18. Drop-off begins at 6:00pm; please do not start setting up tents any earlier, even if you are Association members.

The cost for the Overnighter is $15 per person; signup forms are posted to the website. Please return forms and payment to the “ACTIVITIES” folder no later than Wednesday (6/13). If you’d like, you can also turn in Raft Trip forms and just write one check for both events.

Building a cardboard boat is optional but can be a lot of fun! Remember, the only materials you can use are cardboard, duct tape, and paint. You can find more information on the Cardboard Boat Races page of the website. Parents and siblings are welcome to stay and cheer during the boat races. Please be prepared to take home the remains of any boats that you bring, however, as there is not enough room in the Los Paseos dumpster for all the soggy shipwrecks!

All swimmers should be picked up at 8:00 am on Sunday morning. Parents, many Board members will be staying awake all night at the Overnighter. If you haven’t already volunteered, please plan to help clean up on Sunday morning so the all-night crew can go home and get some much-needed rest! We also need a few volunteers to help cook and serve dinner on Saturday night and breakfast on Sunday morning. You can sign up at the Montevideo meet.

“FINDING DORY” FOR 8 & UNDERS THIS FRIDAY

Swimmers and parents from the 8 & under practice group are invited to join their penguin pals to see “Finding Dory” at Tennant Station in Morgan Hill this Friday, June 17. The plan is to meet at the theater at 1:15; the show starts at 1:40 pm. For more information, contact Judy Seps at 408-506-3532.

RAFT TRIP: GET YOUR FORMS & WAIVERS IN NOW

The annual team Raft Trip will be on Saturday, July 2. If you’d like to participate, please go to the Raft Trip page of the website and print out the signup form and waivers. Turn all paperwork and payment in to the “ACTIVITIES” folder by June 25. The cost is $30 per person.

LOST ITEMS

We had a few items go missing at the Belwood meet. Please check through your stuff and see if you accidentally went home with an extra navy blue Los Paseos kid’s zip-up sweatshirt or LPAC black sweat pants. (If so, please reply to this email.) And, as a reminder, get a Sharpie and mark your children’s clothing, suits, swim bags, etc. to avoid any confusion!

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

 

 

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!

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