CAC News, January Sign-Up and News
CORRECTED
Weekly News and Practice Information - Week of 1/1/2024
Congratulations and Happy Birthday CAC: December marks 20 years since Chugiak Aquatics Club was founded. One December day 20 years ago a family appeared at Coach Anne’s doorway asking if she would coach a new team that was being founded by parents. The team began with 12 swimmers and qualified 3 for its first Age Group Champs and JO’s. Our team now numbers over 400 and qualifies between 50 and 70 swimmers for these meets each year. Even more importantly, many hundreds of children have learned how to swim - a skill they will have all their lives. So much of this success comes thanks to our strong, supportive families and the devotion of our coaches. As the quote says, “there are no shortcuts to anyplace worth going.” The destination has always been unquestionably worth it, and the journey hasn't always been easy. Certainly, there been no shortcuts taken. Thank you, everyone, for supporting this program. Here is to the next twenty years.
January Status Declaration: Thank you for all who have completed the survey to let us know your swimmer’s status next month. If you have not yet had the chance please hit the link below. Declarations are due by end of day on the 31st.
Link: https://forms.gle/JAiZ7JrxjwCBm1Dm7
Chugiak News: Unfortunately, we have inquired but been given no news on the status or expected opening date for Chugiak. For those currently inactive and waiting the opening of Chugiak please watch for notification of when the pool will open. Once it is open we will get started and prorate dues accordingly.
News Bulletin on High School Swimming: ASD is currently grappling with budget deficits and a recommendation has been made to make Swim/Dive and outsourced sport. The same proposals were on the table last year and the swim community was able to convince the school board to keep swimming as a full high school sport through letters, emails, phone messages and testimony. The following are points to consider:
- Outsourcing involves the district contracting with private groups (likely swim clubs) to provide the high school sport. Clubs would hire the coaches and provide all organization for the program.
- The details of outsourcing are generally unknown but while the district would likely offer financial support for the outsourced sport initially, this support would sunset over time leading to a shifting of costs to the swim community. Increased costs to clubs will necessarily be passed along to families including those who would struggle to pay the costs of participation.
- Outsourcing will create an unequal situation in which non-club swimmers or high schools without significant club feeders may not receive appropriate attention or financial support. The result will inevitably be a fall-off in non-club participation. This could remove an important opportunity for low income families or seasonal athletes. Bartlett is a prime example of this where Coach Callahan has been exemplary in building a program among low income students in her school. It is hard to know how she, and coaches like her, would be supported in their outreach for athletes.
If you are interested in advocating we would recommend that you reach out to your school board members and district administration. There will also be opportunities to testify at school board meetings as the budget process moves forward. We will reach out to members with more information as it becomes available.
List of elected official contacts: https://www.asdk12.org/Page/5395
The deadline for registering in USA Swimming for 2024 is approaching (December 31st):
Please use this link if you are registering for USA Swimming: https://omr.usaswimming.org/omr/welcome/7D0F07490FB04E
Lessons students in Levels 1-4 do not need to register in USA Swimming this year unless they would like to enter meets. We will register the students who do not register in USA Swimming for the USA Swim Schools Association in November. $20 will be charged to all non-USA registered members on December 1st for USA Swim Schools Registration.
Chugiak News: We have been communicating with Chugiak Pool Manageent but have not received any information on the status or timelinne for reopening the pool. For those currently inactive and waiting the opening of Chugiak please watch for notification of when the pool will open. Once it is open we will get started and prorate dues accordingly.
Practice Times over the break: https://www.gomotionapp.com/team/akcac/page/practice/bartlett-practice-times
Time to Order Spirit Wear: Hit the link below to view and order new spirit wear offerings and make your orders. This spirit wear commemorates CAC’s 20 years of service to swimmers. Orders must be in by January 14th.
Link to Order: https://forms.gle/QFu9KzX8MRe3CrbS6
Winter Splash, Bartlett (Hosted by CAC) January 12th and 13th - all comers are welcome. This meet is combined with the local 10U state champs, Postal, local.
10U State Championship Postal: January 12th and 13th, all 10 and under swimmers. This meet is combined with the Winter Splash. This meet is hosted by CAC so please check out the volunteer sign up. Ten and under events will be held in the shallow end on Saturday with the exception of the 500 free which will be on Friday evening.
Senior Champs, Bartlett, January 26th-28th (Long Course) - Qualification Meet
The Water Bowl: Bartlett, February 2nd and 3rd: This is an all-comers meet and a last chance opportunity for Age Group qualification times.
Age Group Champs, Ketchikan, February 16th-18th - Qualification Meet (please note that the qualification report does not include those who qualified by way of long course times). Please complete the survey found HERE to share information about participation. We have booked 15 double rooms at the “My Place” hotel for the nights of the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th. We have also reserved two vans. This is a fun destination meet so all qualifiers are encouraged to sign up early. The meet does have finals on Sunday evening so a Monday morning departure is recommended. This meet is eligible for $200 in support per athlete from CAC Boosters.
Oregon Swimming Championship (Region XII), February 29th - March 3rd, Beaverton (Portland) Oregon. Qualification Meet, This meet is positive for its proximity, level of competition and opportunities for relays and finals. Please indicate commitment to this meet by January 7th so that we can facilitate planning. We will attend this meet if at least six athletes sign up in OnDeck or online at our events page. There are currently 24 athletes qualified for this meet. This meet is not recommended for those planning to attend Senior Sectionals.
Northwest Senior Sectionals, Seattle, King Aquatic Center, March 14-17, This is a Qualification Meet. Please declare commitment in OnDeck or on our page by January 7th. We are planning a VRBO house for this meet with a female and male chaperone. Please work with Coach Bryce for travel arrangements and timing.
Senior Zones Championship, St. George, Utah, April 4th - April 7th, Please declare commitment to this meet by April 5th as this meet has an overall limit so it is important to do entries early. This meet I short course and at a great facility. Travel will involve coordinating flights to Las Vegas then taking a van to St. George. This meet has the downside of coming only a couple of weeks before the Alaska Swimming State Championship (JOs). Participants in this Emet should not expect a full taper. Once we see interest expressed by sign up for this meet we will determine the feasibility of sending a coach. There are currently 15 athletes qualified for this meet.
Alaska Swimming State Championship (Formerly Junior Olympics), Bartlett, April 26th-28th,
Links:
Personal Qualifying Time Tracker
Records
Accessing your TYR discounts through our partnership:
Head to teams.tyr.com today for the items your athlete needs for the start of the season. Getting your custom gear ordered now ensures that it goes into production and can be delivered to you in a timely manner. Do not wait until the last minute if you want custom gear for meets this season!
To register on your team store, visit TEAMS.TYR.COM , click on create account, and use the access code " 03973". Once registered you will receive your team's discount as well as additional promotions etc!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
The Kolbergs through United Way (Twin Peaks Level)
Marathon Petroleum - Twin Peaks Level (Referred by ?)
TYR Athletics - Denali Level (Invited by Bryce Carpenter) See below for team access to discounts
Sodas & S’more - Twin Peaks Level (invited by Matthew, Emmitt, Mason, Brock Baker)
Alaska Vehicle Rental - Twin Peaks Level (Invited by Audrey Lukasik)
Hilcorp - Denali Level (Invited by the McLaughlin Family)
Revy Outdoors - Twin Peaks Level (Invited by Mya Snow)
Sudzy Salmon Carwash - Denali Level (Invited by Lola and Reese Woodward)
Enstar - Denali Level (Invited by Karson and Konnor Kolberg)
Healthwise - Denali Level (Invited by Tyson Morgan)
Eagle View Family Dental Caroline Curtis DMD - Twin Peaks Level (Invited by Wes Mank)
Seward Beachside Bungalow - Twin Peaks (Invited by Kaia Reeg)
Anonymous - Twin Peaks Level (Invited by anonymous)
Central Valley Dental Care, Dr, Beistline - Bodenberg Butte Level (invited by: (Let us know if you invited this sponsor)
Vista Therapeutic Massage - Mount Baldy Level (Invited by Caleb and Megan Straka)
What the Fork Food Truck - Twin Peaks Level (Invited by Christopher Michael)
Baldwin - Mt. Baldy Level (Invited by Bryn Baldwin)
Tote Transport - Sleeping Lady Level (Invited by Lacey Westerlin)
The Alaska Club - Twin Peaks Level (Invited by Christopher Michael)
Aurora Dental Care - Twin Peaks Level (Invited by Hannah Cooper)
Starbucks Eagle River - Sleeping Lady Level Meet Hospitality Support (Invited by Caitlyn and Eli Rumph)
Raising Canes - Level TBD by 10% days proceeds during Fall Harvest (Invited by Wes Mank)
Allen Dental Group, Inc - Bodenberg Butte Level (invited by Sydney, Savannah and Mackenzey Shicks)
