NewsSplash: Season Updates!!!

Jill Magno

Hi Stingrays!  

 

It's almost NewsSplash Season!  Please make sure you read all of the NewsSplashes, as this is how all pertinent information is communicated throughout the season!  

 

Team Shirts Sizes (Important!)

  • A team t-shirt is included with the cost of registration.  These shirts are distributed on team photo day and will be worn in our team photo.  
  • PLEASE check your swimmer's profile and make sure their shirt size is current!  Some of your swimmer's sizes have not been updated in years.  We know your 12-year-old swimmer is not a Youth X-Small, but, if that is what you have selected in their profile, that is what your swimmer will receive!  
  • Also, please note that we do not have Youth XL shirts.  If you select an XL shirt for your 8-year-old child, they will get an adult XL (this happens every year!)  
  • To check your swimmer's size, you must log in.  In the upper right-hand corner, select "My Account" from the drop-down menu.  Then go to the "Members" Tab.  Select your swimmer.  Scroll down to "Apparel sizing" and select the correct size.  

 

Stroke and Turn Clinic (Imporant!)

  • We NEED parents to step up to become trained stroke and turn judges.
  • So far, we have two confirmed stroke and turn judges, and they don't even have a volunteer requirement because their swimmers are 15 years old (Thank you, Gabe and John!).  If we don't get parents of younger swimmers trained to judge, we literally won't be able to attend swim meets.
  • Parents who get trained should either have a swim background or have swimmers who have been on the team for at least a year or two.  This is a great way for you to understand the sport and know WHY your swimmer is getting dq'd in butterfly for having a flutter kick or asynchronous arms. 
  • Swim meets can NOT happen without a solid stroke and turn team.  
  • The more judges we get trained, the fewer meets you have to judge!   Our goal is that no one has to judge more meets than a timer has to time.  If you are already trained and can judge next year, reply to this email and let us know!
  • If you are able, RSVP by replying to this email to attend the Stroke and Turn Clinic:
    • ​Sunday, April 26th
    • 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
    • American Canyon High School, 3000 Newell Drive, American Canyon

Team Suits

  • We are finalizing this year's suits and a date for suit fittings will be emailed out soon.
  • As team suits are worn only at meets, Little Rays do not need to order a team suit (but they can if it makes them feel cool!)

 

Core Job Volunteers Needed:  Core volunteers do not need to fulfill a social volunteer requirement; this will fulfill your entire volunteer requirement for the season.  Please reply if you can fill one of these roles.

  • ​Stroke and Turn Judges--Must have attend a prior or current Stroke and Turn Clinic; this is our most critical need
  • 6/Under Girls Shepherd:  If you have a 6/under, this is a great job for you.  It means you are always with your child so they will never be unsupervised.   Help organize the 6/under girls and deliver them to the correct lane for their events at swim meets
  • Starter:  Home Meets Only.  You get the best seat in the house, and will blow the whistle and push the starter button to start every event.  

 

Age Group Parents Needed

  • We would like one parent from each age group to volunteer as the age group parent.
  • Your primary job will be to collect money from your age group families to coordinate a gift basket to be raffled off at the end of the season.
  • Bonus if you also coordinate an age group outing to the movies, a picnic in the park, etc.  This is not required.  This would be self-funded by attending families.  
  • We have a 15-18 age group parent; we need all other age groups to step up.
  • This will fulfill your social volunteer requirement for the season.  Reply to this email if you are interested.

 

Job Substitues Wanted

  • If you have a teenager (15 or older) who wants to serve as a job substitute, please reply to this email with their name and cell phone number.  This information will be posted on the website (only visible to logged-in members).  
  • Teen job subs will be paid $50 per volunteer shift, and they will typically serve as a timer at meets.  
  • Parents interested in hiring a job sub must contact the teenager directly, and arrangements and payments are made independently from the team and volunteer coordinators.  

 

Save the Dates!

  • New Family Zoom--for competitive team members only; information not applicable to Little Rays
    • ​Thursday, March 26th at 7:00 PM
    • Link to be sent out.  ALL new families should attend this meeting.  You will have access to Head Coach Steve Mainini, President Leslie Clements, and Volunteer Coordinators Wendy Buresh and Krista Heredia.  They will demystify everything confusing--what to bring to practice, how to commit to meets, how to sign up for your required volunteer jobs, etc.
  • Welcome Party
    • ​Sunday, April 19th from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • James Lemos Pool
    • Free swim, snacks, and meet the board and coaches to get all of your questions answered!
  • Picture Day for the Competitive Stingrays
    • Friday, May 15th from 4:15 until we are finished (around 2 hours or so)
    • Swimmers should wear their team suits for individual photos and we will pass out team shirts for the group photo 
  • Lapapalooza
    • Tuesday, June 23rd during practice
    • Our largest fundraiser of the year, your swimmer will amaze you with how many laps they can swim, and they will win super fun prizes along the way!  
  • Family Fun Night
    • Tuesday, June 30th
    • A night of free swim and games.  ALL Stingrays and their families are invited!  
  • League Championship Meet
    • Saturday, July 25th
    • ​We prefer all competitive swim team members attend every meet!  But we expect ALL competitive swimmers to attend League Championship Meet. Please plan your summer vacations so your Stingray is present at League Champs.  We have back-to-back titles to defend!  It's time for a THREEPEAT!!!
  • Awards Ceremony
    • Sunday, August 30th from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
    • Ice Cream Social and  our swimmers will receive their Best Times Plaque, and individual awards will be handed out