| Happy Thursday and 2012 WEST. Hope everyone had an enjoyable new year. IMPORTANT: Billing Update The majority of families and members have still NOT set up their automatic payment information (either checking account or credit card) with the new website and billing system and consequently many people still have rather large outstanding balances. WE NEED THIS MONEY TO OPERATE and cannot go another month without collecting it. We will be applying a $50 late fee to all accounts that are still outstanding on January 15th and will not allow swimmers to continue to practice until accounts are up-to-date. To avoid any interruption in your membership, please physically deliver payment to the office as soon as possible. If you have questions on your current bill, please email the office at [email protected]. In other more encouraging news: Volunteer hours from the November Invite should now be credited to accounts. Please check to confirm for accuracy. Now it’s time to sign up for the February Age Group Invite meet that we will again host at Kamiak High School the weekend of Feb 24-26. The meet has a different format and does begin on Friday afternoon, so please volunteer early and often. Bear in mind that shift times are approximate and a more accurate timeline will be available the week of the swim meet. When we produce a heat sheet, we sell ads in the heat sheet to generate additional income from the meet. For a full page ad, we charge $100, half is $50 and quarter page ad is $25. Heat sheet ads sold are credited toward your family’s fundraising goals for the year. Lastly, when WEST hosts a meet, we provide hospitality for officials and coaches. Any donations (free food or drink!) would reduce our costs for the meet and increase our revenue. If anyone has any ideas or connections for free food, drinks, water, paper products, please contact Pam or our hospitality chairperson, Melinda Coglas. If you have any questions, please contact Pam Williamson, [email protected]. As we get deeper in to January, we will begin our racing schedule again with the January Challenge next weekend and the Washington Open the following weekend. When you are getting ready to swim fast, the fuel you put in your body is nearly as important as your mindset. Have you ever wondered what to eat on race day? Here is an article from usaswimming.org: http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=0&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en&ItemId=3748&mid=11545 Lastly, here is a video I saw on youtube. The thing that I appreciate about swimming and, really, all sports, is that those who perform their best are those who can get lost in the mindset of 'the here and now'. This video is a bike video but you can tell that to perform the stunts this guy is performing, you must be completely focused on the present situation. If you have 5 minutes and want to have your mind blown, please see the attached: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShbC5yVqOdI Enjoy! Sam, Nick and Jordyn |
