Friday Practice

Hello Team,

Congratulations on a well earned victory over Concord! Concord has excellent swimmers and a fantastic coach. Beating them in their own pool is a great testament to how strong we are as a team. And we will only get stronger as the year progresses. It is going to be an exciting Association Meet this year.

Right now there are several lines of thunderstorms moving toward Giles County. It is not clear whether they will affect practice. Right now, I will say practice is ON.

Please check back here or check your email for an announcement about practice. I will try to post any changes as possible.

Thanks, Jim

Concord Meet is ON

Hello,

There are scattered storms all over our area. However, at present there is no reason to think the meet will be cancelled. We may have some delays if a shower passes overhead, but we will try to keep the meet moving as best we can.

Please come - storms or no. We need our swimmers there so we can WIN!

Thanks, Jim

One Hour Practice on Wednesday!!!

Hello,

****Storms are all over the place today - none are immediately threatening the pool. So lets try to squeeze in practice if we can. Please come - especially if you need help with strokes or diving or whatever. Clinic day! ****

Due to a pool party on Wednesday, pratice will be for one hour only from 7-8 pm. Everyone is invited to attend - but if any 6 and under swimmers want that night off it is okay. Any 6 and under swimmer that is going to the Concord meet is encouraged to attend.

Thanks, Jim

Team Picture Tonight - One Hour Practice ONLY

Hello,

Tonight's practice is only 1 hour from 7-8 pm. All swimmers of ALL ages are asked to attend. A photographer will take our team picture at 7. Swimmers are asked to wear their team suits. We will practice with whatever time we have left.

*** There are storms in the area, but it is not clear they will affect our practice. PLEASE COME so we can try to get the team picture in at least.

Thursday's Meet at Concord is ON. Directions will be posted soon. The next meet is on July 10th at Tazewell.

Friday: There is only ONE hour of practice (7-8 pm). Swimmers 7 years old and up will swim...6 and under have the night off. This is how it will be for the rest of the season.

Watch for announcements about next week's practice schedule. We will NOT practice on the fourth of July. It is not clear if we will practice on the 3rd or 5th yet.

Thanks, Jim

Monday

Hello,

There are storms in our area that I think will affect practice today (Monday). I can't say for sure - I left my crystal ball at the office. Because there are several waves of storms, it is entirely likely that we will be affected. If the storms come during the 7 pm hour, it is unclear if we will practice at 8. If the storms come during the 8 pm hour, practice will end there. Indeed, storms come and go, and we may be able to resume after a while - but with several storms coming, the swim team leaders may call off practice at that point.

I plan to post the scheduled events for the Concord meet at practice. Hopefully everyone will get to see it and tell me if there are any problems. If not, most swimmers are swimming the same events they had schedule for Richlands and/or Welch.

At the present time, we will go with the idea that we will have practice - maybe the storms won't come at all? If the situation changes I will update the blog and send out a new message.

Thanks, Jim

Practice Friday

Practice tonight is from 7-8 for all swimmers 7 and up. Please come and help us celebrate our victory in the Welch meet.

There are rain showers in the area, but they may not affect practice. Please check back before heading to the pool.

Practice Wednesday and Welch Directions

Practice will be held at the normal Times Today.


For those of you going to Welch:

Directions to Welch WV from Pearisburg VA (Allow 1 hour 45 min from Pearisburg Pool)

Take 460 West to Princeton WV, then take I-77 South toward Bluefield.

Take Exit 1 US-52 N and travel to Route 460

At Rt 460 turn RIGHT towards Princeton WV, travel 0.9 mi to US 19 and turn LEFT. Follow US 19 South for 4 miles to Spruce Street. At this point, US 52 and US 19 are together.

Be careful here: Turn LEFT on Spruce Street / US 52, and after less than 0.1 mile turn RIGHT onto Highland Ave / US 52. Go 0.2 mile and turn RIGHT onto Poplar St / US 52

Continue to follow US 52 for about 30 miles toward Welch. You will go through MANY small towns. The Welch team says you should watch your speed carefully in the little towns.

As you enter Welch, turn LEFT on US 52 Bypass at the Rite Aid.

Follow bypass around Welch to intersection with WV 16 and Riverside Drive.

Turn RIGHT onto Riverside Drive / Rt 16 and travel back into Welch.

Turn LEFT between the Post Office and Elkhorn Towers Apartment Buildings (on the left), drive through the parking lot and along the road that curves to the left to the Welch Pool.

Meet Update Tuesday

There are thunderstorms in our area. We will proceed with the meet as scheduled as best we can. If lightning or thunder stops the meet, we will start back up as soon as possible. If the storms are bad and the Richlands team wishes not to continue, we will call off the meet in progress.

Again, we will proceed as best we can. As always, safety is our main concern. If there is lightning we will take all necessary steps to protect the swimmers and the families.

******

Hello Team, PLEASE NOTE CORRECT NEW TIMES BELOW

Our swim meet against Richlands is ON! Tuesday, June 19th at our pool. This is confirmed.

Remember - swim dues must be paid for your swimmer(s) to participate in the meet.

Participating families need to be at the pool by **4:30 pm**. Swimmers should get their event numbers ASAP. Please find the parents with the black Sharpie markers for help with this. Parents will check in for their meet jobs. Please find the parent coordinator.

Warm ups will be at **5:00-5:15**. Swimmers need to be ready (goggles on, caps on, etc). The meet will start at **5:30 pm**. Plan for the meet to last until about 9:30-10 pm. Please plan to help take down the equipment and clean up after the meet.

Swimmers should bring extra towels and clothing to stay warm as the temperature drops. Also swimmers are encouraged to bring something to do while they are not swimming. All swimmers are encouraged strongly to cheer for their teammates as much as possible.

I will have a list of swimmer events posted at the meet. I will correct any problems before the meet.

Thanks! Jim

Friday Practice is ON

Hello,

The radar is clear for our area, so lets practice!

7-8 pm for everyone except 6 and under (they get this cold night off).

Thanks, Jim

June 14th

UPDATE 6:20 pm

Practice is CANCELLED for Thursday June 14th.

Practice Friday is at 7-8 for everyone, except 6 and under swimmers.

Please turn in your dues and your meet forms ASAP if you haven't done so already.


Best Wishes, Jim

Practice Wednesday June 13

Hello,

Storms are in our area, but is is not clear whether they will affect our practice. So, let's practice!
7-8 pm for 9 and under
8-9 pm for 10 and up

Thanks, Jim

MOCK MEET IS ON: 6:45 pm

Hello,

There are scattered thunderstorms in our area, but it is not clear if any will affect our Mock Meet. Even if it does storm, we will try to wait it out and continue with the meet, so that swimmers and parents can get the experience they need before next week's real meet.

Please be assured that the swim team staff and the pool staff are most concerned about the safety of the swimmers, and we will do everything we can to ensure their safety if a storm should come.

Please check back here or check your email before coming to the pool to see if there is any updated information.

Thank you, Jim

Practice is ON

Hello,

We will practice at normal times today:
7-8 pm for ages 9 and under
8-9 pm for ages 10 and up

See you there! Jim

Mock Meet Description

Hello Team,

On Tuesday June 12th, we will hold our annual Mock Meet. Swimmers and parents are asked to arrive at the pool at (CORRECTION: 6:45) 6:45. Swimmers will get a list of their events and parents will help set up the meet and get assignments and training for duties during the meets. The meet will start at 7 pm (or as close to it as possible). This meet should only last a couple hours...depending on getting all the bugs worked out, etc.

Purpose: This is a "mini-meet" designed to give new swimmers and parents a taste of what a swim meet is like, and it gives the team a chance to test all the equipment needed for the upcoming meets.

Families: Probably most important, this meet gives parents a chance to try out the jobs they will be doing during the meets. Some examples include: clerk of course (organizing swimmers in each event), timer (stopwatch duty during each race to get the swimmer's time), starter (announces each event and starts each race), runner (picks up time cards from each lane after each race and other paperwork and delivers them to the scorer's table, also pick up and deliver other items around the pool as needed), scorer (records swimmer's times, places in each event, records points awarded, scores meet), working concessions (selling food items or swim related items), Children's keeper (help small kids know when to go to the clerk of course, help kids move from clerk to starting blocks, helps find kids that don't show up at the blocks at the right time, etc), and stroke and turn judge (judges the swimmers as they swim to ensure they follow the rules for each stroke and race).

If you are new, you will be taught everything you need to know about how to do the jobs you are interested in doing. Most jobs are easy, some require a bit of training, but all are important. Every family is expected to help out in some way during the home meets. Most duty shifts are for half a meet, so it is not really that hard to help out. Again, we will help all new parents (and returning parents) learn what to do and how and when to do it. You will have lots of help and guidance. Equally important - setting up for the meet and taking all the equipment down after the meet requires lots of help from parents. The coach will be very busy coordinating swimmers before the meet and finalizing meet results after the meet. The swim team officers and volunteer coordinators will help everyone know what needs to be done.

The meet coordinators will explain all this in more detail at the Mock Meet and there will be more discussions before the first home meet.

Swimmers: We will have 18 events, or races, at the Mock Meet. (Normal meets have 64 events, give or take.) Event 1 will be boys 6 and under 25 meter freestyle. Event 2 will be girls 6 and under 25 meter freestyle...up to event 12, which is girls 15-18 50 freestyle. The list of events for each swimmer will be posted on a bulletin board (see below). For the mock meet, every swimmer will swim one individual freestyle event, and each swimmer will be "racing" against other swimmers in his/her gender and age group. The last 6 events will be relay races, where groups of four swimmers will form relay teams that will race against each other. These teams will be made up of boys and girls together. Again, 6 and under teams will race against each other and so on up to the oldest swimmers. (In regular meets, most swimmers will swim 1 to 4 events and 1 or 2 relay races depending on age, skill level and swimmer preference).

I will post on a bulletin board the list of swimmers participating in the meet and in which events they are swimming. Swimmers will often write their event numbers on their arms so they won't forget. Then swimmers will listen for the announcement of each event. When they hear their event number called, they will be told to report to the clerk of the course. This will be in the corner nearest the pool steps (by the tennis courts). Once they arrive at the clerk, they will be given a small card with their name on it which will tell them the event number and what the race will be (which they will already know from the bulletin board posting). The card will also tell them what lane they will swim in for the race. If the event is a relay, the card will have the names of all swimmers on the relay team. The clerk will put the kids in order (based on what lane they are in) and the kids will sit in chairs until it is time to go to the blocks. The clerk will tell the kids when to go to the blocks and a Child keeper will lead the kids to the blocks and help them stay in order. Once at the blocks, the timers will get the swimmer's card, and the starter will announce the event number and what the race will be. At that point, the starter will tell the swimmers to get on the blocks (or beside the blocks for those kids that are not comfortable with the blocks yet), take your marks, and a buzzer will sound to start the race. At that point, the swimmer will swim the race. When the swimmer touches the wall, the timers will stop their watches and record the swimmer's time on the card. When all swimmers have finished the race, all the swimmers will be told to exit the pool, and the next event will begin. Swimmers will go to the waiting area to rest and the cards will be taken to the scorer's table for processing. Swimmers then listen out for their next event to be called.

Swimmers are expected to cheer for their team mates as they swim. This can be the most fun part of the meet. It is my hope that we can do some team cheering and yelling before the meet starts. Team spirit is a great morale builder and it helps calm the nerves before the meet. More information about the regular meets will be posted soon, including directions for away meets, events, jobs, etc. Please check back regularly.

LET'S GO, JETS!

Practice Thursday June 7

Hello,

Practice will be held at the regular times today:

7-8 pm for 9 and under
8-9 pm for 10 and up

Practice is cancelled for Friday, June 8th.

ALL CONSENT FORMS ARE DUE NOW. Our first swim meet is Tuesday, June 19. I will begin working on this early next week. PLEASE TURN IN YOUR MEET ATTENDENCE FORM IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE SO YET.

MOCK MEET TUESDAY, JUNE 12th. ANNOUNCEMENT WILL FOLLOW THIS POST SHORTLY.

Thanks, Jim

Swim Team Consent Forms Are DUE

Hello,

The Radar is clear -- Let's Practice...7-8 pm for 9 and under and 8-9 pm for 10 and up.

If you haven't done so yet, please turn in a swim team consent form as soon as possible. I also need the meet attendance forms. The consent form is most crucial now. If you are unsure about which meets you can attend, please let me know and we can discuss it. This is especially true for new families that don't yet know about how meets work and where the other pools are.

I am building the team roster, and I am using consent forms to do this. I plan the swim meets from the team roster and the meet attendance forms. So, no forms - no swim.

If you don't have a form, you can get one from me or from a swim team officer. We will be glad to help you.

Thanks! Jim

Tuesday June 5th, 2007

Hello All,

There are thunderstoms coming from the west, but it is unclear if they will make it all the way to us and if so, what time they will get here. Right now conditions are okay for swimming. So for now, I will say practice is at the regular time:

9 and under, 7-8 pm
10 and up, 8-9 pm.

PLEASE check back here before you go to the pool to see if there is an update. I will also send an email out if practice is cancelled.

Thanks! Jim

Monday June 4th, 2007

Happy Monday,

We will hold practice at our NEW times tonight:

9 and under, 7-8 pm
10 and up, 8-9 pm

There are widely scattered showers in our area, but right now none look like they will affect practice. I will send an email out and update this blog if this changes.

Please check out the announcement board at the pool each day for important messages. This is a white dry erase board propped up near the corner of the shelter. It has due dates, deadlines and other important messages.

Also, please be sure to ask how you can help setting up or taking down equipment for practice - or helping out with other odd jobs. We will really appreciate the help.

Thanks! Jim

Sunday June 3rd, 2007

Hello Team,

We have made a swim team email list and it is being tested now. We plan to use this in addition to using this blog to give you information about practices and team news.

Please note that our first swim meet is June 19th, when we will host the Richlands team. Dues must be paid before the meet for your child to swim. We will have a pretend meet soon, which we call the Mock Meet, to give the kids a chance to see what a meet is like, and to give parents a chance to learn the jobs they will be doing during the meet.

Please remember this is a volunteer swim club, and so all parents / gaurdians are expected to help out during meets. There are lots of jobs to do, and we really need the help. Likewise, you can help during regular swim practices by helping the swimmers set up or take down equipment, or help out with the many administrative tasks that go on under the shelter during practice time. Just ask any swim team officer or the Coach what you can do. We will be very glad for the help!

Have a great Sunday.

Jim