Practice (Meet) Makes Perfect

Kelly Crossley

 

Practice (Meet) Makes Perfect

HIGHLIGHTS & NEWS

 

Please read this entire newsletter! It has important information to prepare you for this Saturdays Practice Meet!

The PRACTICE MEET is this Saturday......Let's Go!!

It’s time to get ready for our Meets! Meets are exciting, competitive events that are full of positive energy, camaraderie and incredible sportsmanship.  

We will have hundreds of people around the pool area cheering on our swimmers from the very start of the Team Cheer to the very last relay! 

To get a better understanding of what a swim meet is, please read “About Swim Meets” first! 

 

Our first meet is the ‘Practice Meet’ on April 20th. This meet is a little different than normal dual meets (described on our website linked above). This Practice Meet only involves swimmers from our team. ‘Dual meet’ means we swim against another team. Also, the Practice Meet is a chance for new swimmers and their families to get the hang of things before our first dual meet vs. the Marinwood Waterdevils on April 27th. On Saturday’s Practice Meet you will learn your volunteer job. Swimmers will learn how to line up, prepare to swim, and get an indication of how they are doing. 

 

Note: if you do not have a volunteer assignment that day, you still are expected to attend a quick training for your assigned position to cover what the tasks will be. The training starts at 8:00am. If you are on traffic duty, please meet at 7:15am at the traffic circle.

 

 

SWIMMING AT THE PRACTICE MEET:

All swimmers must sign up to ATTEND or DECLINE the meet and select the events they want to swim: 

Group 1 swimmers can only sign up for Freestyle and Backstroke.

Group 2 swimmers can sign up for 4 events but only if they have mastered the strokes. (If you are not sure, contact coach Coach Mark.)

Group 3 & 4 swimmers can sign up for all 5 events if they have mastered the strokes. (5 events is only for the Practice Meet - for all other meets, swimmers can only sign up for a maximum of 3 events.)

 

 

HOW TO SIGN UP: 

You will receive the link to Declare in the Weekly Newsletter each Monday before Saturday's meet. You MUST sign up no later than the Tuesday at midnight before each Meet! 

 

Visit our website to read detailed instructions about how to sign up, click on “Meet Sign Up”. Please indicate if your swimmer(s) will attend or decline the meet as soon as the sign up is open. The link for each meet is also available in the Swim Meet Calendar on our webiste. 

 

If your child is not swimming in the meet, PLEASE DECLINE in the sign ups so we do not have to contact you. (You must do this for each meet!)

 

Click here to sign up for the Practice Meet now!

 

 

PRACTICE MEET LOGISTICS: 

The Practice Meet will begin promptly at 8:35 am, but swimmers should arrive no later than 7:55 AM to get situated.

It is strongly recommended all swimmers 9 years and older arrive early for warm-ups, which, for the practice meet, run from 7:45 am - 8:15 am. (Dual meet warm up times will differ.)

8 & Under swimmers do not warm up! 

 

Feel free to bring a blanket, camping chairs, and/or an umbrella or tent to set up camp on the lawn TO THE LEFT of the path, or the courtyard. There will be chairs available on the pool deck as well. 

 

At approximately 8:25 am Coach Mark, Coach Paul and the swimmers will do the team cheer (not to be missed!). This will be followed by an introduction to the meet and the singing of our National Anthem. 

 

The Practice Meet officially begins at 8:35 am.

Please be sure to read the information on the “About Swim Meets" page for detailed information on meets. 

 

 

PARKING:

We suggest that you walk or bike to our Home Meets, if possible. If you need to drive, please park ONLY in legal parking spaces. Please be respectful of our neighbors (no blocking driveways, mailboxes, etc), and remember that the drop off circle is for DROP AND GO only!  

 

This year, you’ll notice a substantial change in parking availability along Butterfield. Bike lanes now exist on both sides of the road, and “No Parking” signs have been erected. Parking in a bike lane, even partially, is prohibited. 

 

Thanks to a partnership with San Domenico School, we are able to offer ~70 parking spots in their gravel parking lot—just a short walk from the pool for 3 of our 4 home meets, including the Practice Meet. You may use this gravel parking lot (see map below) or find parking in the neighborhood as usual. Again, be mindful not to block residents' driveways. 

 

Reminder: NO DOGS! Swim team families MAY NOT BRING DOGS to practices or meets, nor tie them up outside the gates or in front of the Clubhouse, even if you are just running in to drop off your swimmer. Please help us abide by this Sleepy Hollow Homes Association rule and leave your dog at home. Thank you!

 

 

VOLUNTEER CHECK IN AT PRACTICE MEET:

If you have a Poolside job (timers, clerk of course, marshal, runner, trash), check in at the table immediately inside the front gate on the left. There will be a blue Sleepy Hollow flag next to the table. Here, you will receive a name badge with your job title. This completes your check-in. Both shift 1 and 2 must check in by 7:55am to make sure your job is accounted for that day. 

 

Note: again, if you do not have a volunteer assignment that day, you still are expected to attend a quick training at your assigned position to learn what the tasks will be. This training starts at 8:00am.

 

Meet Officials, be ready at 8:10am to meet up with our head referee and head timer for instructions.

 

Traffic Duty, meet at 7:15am at the traffic circle.

 

Set-Up & Take-Down, Snack Bar and Awards volunteers should have received their assigned time slots from their Chairs.  Please check in directly with your Committee Chair at the assigned time.

 

All Volunteers: If you cannot make your shift, it is YOUR responsibility to find a replacement and notify the Meet Chair 2 days prior to a meet. All missed volunteer assignments are charged at $150/assignment. 

 

SPIRIT WEAR:

Our fabulous new Spirit Wear will be sold at the practice meet and other home meets. Bring a credit card to get your swimmer decked out for the season! 

 

SNACK BAR:

We start serving Peet's coffee, Good Earth breakfast burritos, donuts and bagels at 8:00 AM.  For lunch we will have hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, baked potatoes and fresh Caesar salad. We accept both cash and credit.

 

NEW FAMILIES:

As we move through the season, please remember to reach out to your buddy family with any questions.  That's what they are there for!

 

Time to KICK BOOTYAKUM!!  See you on Saturday, April 20th for the Practice Meet!

 

 

Pool Clean-Up Day - Thank you!

 

Thank you to everyone for coming out to Pool Clean Up day yesterday! We had a great turnout and are hugely appreciative everyone's contribution of time, supplies, and positive energy.  The pool, grassy areas, and snack bar look great!

 

April FUN - THIS FRIDAY!

 

Friday, April 19 4:40 pm - 5 pm: Bark Buddies

Calling all new swimmers! As we approach the practice meet, we want to make sure all you new swimmers feel excited and ready! And of course, we want you to learn the famous Sleepy Hollow Sea Lion’s cheer that we do before every meet as a team! The new swimmers will hang out with some of the big kids (Bark Buddies) and make sundaes together as they learn and practice the SHST cheer. 

 

Bark Buddies takes place after Group 1 practice on Friday, April 19 at 4:40 pm and ends around 5 pm. If your new swimmer is in Group 2, they should be ready to participate in the fun- they’ll be a little late jumping in the pool. 

 

Make sure your Sea Lion vocal chords are in tip top shape so you can bark our awesome cheer! 

 

Friday, April 19 6:15 pm -7:45 pm: 9/10 Karaoke Night

Are you the next American Idol? Do you have The Voice? Or do you just like listening to music and hanging out with your friends? 9 and 10 year- old swimmers, come to Sleepy Hollow Swim Team's Karaoke Party on April 19! The night will be filled with music, games, dancing, dinner and yes, karaoke! The event will begin at 6:15 pm and go until 7:45 pm. 

 

 

T&B Uniforms and Gear Are In!

Our T&B uniforms and gear are in. Please pick up your order on Wednesday, April 17 from 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm at the pool. Please remember to pick it up in time for the Practice Meet on Saturday!

 

Congrats to the Swimmers of the Week!

Group 1: Faris Kahn & Suvi Westberg

Group 2: James Hyer & Ellie Muenzen

Group 3: Meg Kramer & Liam Prescutti

Group 4: Hannah Hintergardt & Hunter Panzica

 

Help Feed Our Coaches - We Did It!

Thank you to those who have signed up and/or delivered dinner! We have dinner or breakfast planned for our awesome coaches the remainder of the swim season. For those new to the team, parents sign up to bring dinner(s) (breakfasts for summer practices) to our wonderful coaches. Here is the sign up for 2024 for your reference.​​

 

IMPORTANT DATES FOR ALL SWIMMERS

Friday, April 19th: Bark Buddies & 9/10 Karokee Night

Saturday, April 20th: Sleepy Hollow Practice Meet

Saturday, April 27th: First Dual Meet: Sleepy Hollow @ Marinwood (Away)

Saturday, May 4th: Scotts Valley vs. Sleepy Hollow (Home)

Saturday, May 11th: Sleepy Hollow @ Terra Linda (Away)

 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....

 

Calling All Lifeguards

 

The Sleepy Hollow Homes Association is hiring lifeguards for the 2024 Summer season.

 

They are looking to hire lifeguards who will develop their skills and be able to work through their high school and college years. Sleepy Hollow offers a friendly environment and the opportunity to take on more responsibilities as they gain valuable experience. 

 

If you have a current American Red Cross lifeguarding certificate (or are working on getting one) and would like to work at Sleepy Hollow Pool, please visit the “Work At The Pool” tab on the SHHA website. If you need to be certified or recertified, please contact Briggitte Kroetz or the Sleepy Hollow Pool.

 

 

Sneak Peek at Our Sleepy Hollow Spirit Wear!

Drum roll please.... The Spirit Wear team is excited to share the 2024 Season offerings!!  Spirit Wear will be available for purchase at the Practice Meet on April 20th as well as all home meets. We accept cash, Apple Pay and all major credit cards. 

 

Traffic Circle Guidelines & Changes on Butterfield Rd.

Traffic Circle Guidelines
We are implementing some new rules around the traffic circle. Parents- use the Traffic circle ONLY TO DROP OFF your swimmer(s). To PICK UP your swimmer(s) please park in the parking stalls to wait. Waiting in the circle is blocks others, as well as causes back-up onto Butterfield, blocking residential driveways and the bike lane.
 

Traffic Changes on Butterfield Rd.

We want to bring your attention to a safety improvement along Butterfield that is welcomed and supported by the Swim Team. Bike lanes have been painted on both sides of the road, and “No Parking” signs are going up this week. Be prepared for a substantial change in parking availability along Butterfield. Parking in a bike lane, even partially, is prohibited (see illustration below). We will need to get acclimated to the changes and how they affect parking. More information to come as it relates to parking for Home Meets. Thank you for partnering with us to create safe bike lanes for walkers and bikers- our neighbors and our children. 

 

Showers After Practice

Please limit your post-swim showers to five minutes or less. This conserves water use, keeps costs reasonable for the Homes Association, and allows for later groups to take hot showers and not be left with nothing but cold water...which is happening. Parents, please communicate this to your kids and help monitor their showers. 
 

 

Raising the Bar

The Sleepy Hollow Swim Team is proud to be partnering again with Raising the Bar, Keep Youth Events Substance Free. The goal of this important county-wide initiative is to shift the norms of substance use and encourage healthy choices by keeping youth events substance free. Data shows that adults have a significant impact on kids' decisions regarding alcohol and by working together to prevent under-age substance use, we can have a direct impact on the health of our local youth and decrease the short and long-term consequences to adolescents, families, and our community as a whole.   

 

Parking and Driver Safety

Please be aware of increased pedestrians and bikers around the Clubhouse, with the start of swim team. Be very careful when walking along and crossing Butterfield Road. Help teach our Sea Lions to be responsible pedestrians and bikers. If driving, slow down and focus. When dropping off your swimmer and/or parking for practice:

  • Do not park in front of the Clubhouse, this is strictly for drop off.  

  • Park perpendicular (not parallel) in the gravel spaces to maximize space for other people.

  • Please don’t ever park in the no parking zones across from the Clubhouse or in the handicapped parking spot in front of the Clubhouse - not even to wait for your swimmer after practice/ if you remain in the car.

  • Please do not let your child "jump quickly out of the car" in the middle of the road.  This is not safe!  Please take the extra minute and use the drop off circle.

  • Use the dirt walkway in front of parked cars, and do not walk on the bike path on Butterfield, behind parked cars.

  • Do not block driveways or mailboxes.  Please be respectful of our neighbors!

  • And again, please slow down, and watch out for Sea Lions and parents crossing Butterfield and riding and walking in the bike lanes. These Sea Lions are all of our children.

 

Bikes

 

As we partner with the Sleepy Hollow Homes Assocation to increase safety along Butterfield Road, we encourage families to bike to and from practice, if your child is ready for this.  As a community, we are working to decrease the number of cars along Butterfield Road. If you bike, please remember:

  • Please use the bike racks outside of the main black gate and do not block the Fire Zone/No Parking area. 
  • Don’t forget to bring bike locks! SHST and SHHA are not responsible for lost or stolen bikes.
  • Bikes are not allowed inside the gated pool area.​

 

No Dogs

Please remember that the Sleepy Hollow Homes Association forbids dogs at the Clubhouse and pool area.  Swim team families MAY NOT BRING DOGS to practices or meets.       Dogs may not be tied up or left outside the gates and fence in front of the Clubhouse    ,    even if you are just running in to drop off your swimmer. Please help us abide by this SHHA rule and leave your dog at home. Thank you!
 
 

Donations

As a volunteer based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, we rely on swimmer registration fees and generous donations to help us operate while maintaining and building upon our incredible community. Donations specifically help us do this while expenses and costs continue to rise. Donations to our team also help us fund the many FUN events that we host during the season where kids build camaraderie and get to know each other outside of the pool (movie nights, karaoke, casino night, etc). 
 
Every dollar and donation counts! You can donate any amount to our team HERE, and/or donate/sponsor a specific Fun event HERE. Your donation will be tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. 
 
We would like to thank Zamira Solari Realty for sponsoring the team's Fun Fridays again this season! We appreciate your generosity and support!

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