SHST Weekly Newsletter - April 28, 2025
It's Time to Kick Bootyakum
HIGHLIGHTS & NEWS
Sea Lions vs. Lucas Valley Lightning - April 26
The Sleepy Hollow Sea Lions faced off with Lucas Valley Lightning on Saturday under cloudy skies for their first official meet of the 2025 season. Swimmers scurried to the pool deck for their cheer, and the crowd was treated to Brady Koonce’s version of the national anthem. The meet got underway with some nail-biting relays that saw our 8&U team squeeze out a victory from behind! Other incredible moments include 6-year-old Harrison Fahy, and 12-year-olds Evan Hyer and Calvin Roosevelt clocking All-Star qualifying times – for their very first time! What a way to start the season! Baxter Dixon showed his speed by breaking the Boys 11-12 50Y Breaststroke team record with a time of 32.44, then moving onto the team record board in 8th place for his I.M., with a time of 1:06.10. Congratulations, Baxter!
TOP TEN BOARD:
Baxter Dixon, Boys 11-12 50Y Breaststroke, moved onto board in 1st place (32.44)
Baxter Dixon, Boys 11-12 100Y I.M., moved onto board in 8th place (1:06.10)
Time to Sign up for our next Dual Meet vs. the Strawberry Seals - Saturday, May 3
Please sign up now for our next dual meet on May 3! We will host the Strawberry Seals at HOME. Heat sheets will be sent out on Friday.
Remember the deadline is to sign up is Tuesday at midnight prior to every meet!
HOW TO SIGN UP FOR DUAL MEETS:
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, 3, & 4 swimmers can sign up for 3 events but only if they have mastered the strokes. (If you are not sure, contact coach Mark.)
Visit our website to read detailed instructions about how to sign up, click on “Meet Sign Up”.
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 Meet now!
We are off to a great start, thank you volunteers! This is what it's all about. A quick reminder....If you have to swap a shift with a fellow volunteer, please notify me at [email protected] as soon as possible so that we have all of the correct information going into each meet. Thanks so much!
What's in those Ribbon Boxes?
On Tuesdays at practice ribbons from the weekend's dual meet will be available in file boxes on the snack bar. There are slots sorted alphabetically by last name - please only remove your family's contents and instruct your kids to to the same. Ribbons are awarded to all 12 & under swimmers in all heats and events. Ribbons have a sticker on the back with the event, time and place.
Ribbon boxes may include:
• Colored Heat Place Ribbons - labeled with your child’s name and the heat details on the back.
• Yellow Best Time Ribbons - will begin after this Saturday’s meet.
• DQ Slips - a slip could mean a suggestion from a stroke and turn judge or a DQ. Treat these as learning opportunities… read the slip with your child, communicate with the coaches, and help your child learn how to improve their strokes.
• Swimmer of the Week Photos - will also be filed in the box after they are pulled from the board (do not remove them from the board yourself – thanks).
• Other paperwork – such as team photo order forms for next week's photo day.
Read more on our website on ribbons, best times, DQs, and other awards.
Congrats to the Swimmers of the Week!
Group 1: Grace Dempsey and Harrison Fahy
Group 2: Maddy Baloglu and Brady Koonce
Group 3: Bobby Franklin and Lya Uzri
Group 4: Dottie Pikkarainen Klein and Hayden Bennett
Team Photo Day is WEDNESDAY, May 7 & Ice Cream Sandwiches
One, Two, Three, CHEESE! It's picture day on May 7th! The entire team gathers for a team photo. Afterwards the kids can socialize and eat ice cream sandwiches. There is no swim practice that day.
Here are some logistics and tips:
Individual and/or Buddy pictures can be taken before or after the team photo. Individual photos start at 2:30 pm. We recommend doing these BEFORE the team photo.
There are 3 locations for Individual/ Group photos. Please consider this before picture day. There will be lines at each location.
Ordering The Order Form is here. Feel free to print this, decide on which package you'd like, and fill it out in advance. Paper forms will also be availbale on the snack bar, near the Ribbon Boxes this week. Bring the form and payment with you on Photo Day.
Payment. Payment can be made by Venmo or check (stapled to your order form and handed in) on May 7th.
Please make sure your swimmers are at the pool no later than 4:00 PM on Wednesday May 7th IN THEIR SHST BATHING SUITS for the team photo. Pick up no later than 4:45pm. There will be no practice on this day.
Note for group 1 & 2 families: parents are expected to stay at the pool to supervise their children.
Fun Committee Updates
Karaoke Night was a huge success. Lots of fun was had by our 9/10 swimmers who sang their hearts out, danced, and ate pizza together.
Friday, May 16: 11+ The Amazing Race
11 & Up swimmers are invited to the Sea Lion Amazing Race! This super fun, fast-paced event involves teamwork, lots of running and quick thinking! The swimmers work in teams led by our High School swimmers to solve clues that lead them to various destinations in the Hollow where they will play hilarious games and participate in goofy challenges with the goal of getting to their next clue…all in an effort to get to the final destination first to become the 2025 SHST Amazing Race Champions. All of the players and HS leaders gather at the end for pizza.
All participants should WEAR their bathing suits under comfortable running clothes (shorts, t-shirt). All participants should WEAR RUNNING SHOES! There is A LOT of running in this event. Be prepared to get wet and be prepared to run!
Meet in the courtyard at the Clubhouse at 4:30p SHARP. Do not be late.
Evite with full details coming soon. Be sure to read carefully!
Helpful Links
IMPORTANT DATES FOR ALL SWIMMERS
May 3, 2025: Home meet, vs. Strawberry Seals
May 7, 2025: Team picture day
May 10, 2025: Home meet, vs. Terra Linda Orcas
May 16, 2025: 11&up Amazing Race
May 17, 2025: Away meet vs. Tidalwaves
May 24, 2025: No meet - Memorial Day Weekend
May 31, 2025: Away meet vs. Marinwood
June 7, 2025: Away meet vs. Scott Valley Sea Serpents
June 14, 2025: No dual meet this weekend. All Stars for those who qualify. How do you know if your kid qualifies? You'll get an email.
June 21, 2025: Home meet vs. Swimarin
June 28, 2025: MSL Championships Meet
June 29, 2025: Champs dinner
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....
Group 4 Dryland Training
Dryland training is available to Group 4 swimmers, starting on April 16, every Wednesday and Thursday until June 12.
Paul's Lessons and Swim Clinics
Private Lessons and Swim Clinics with Paul are now open for registration. Early season is the best time to work on technique and set good habits and intentions for the season ahead.
Register here for Lessons and Swim Clinics
Reminder: 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!
No Dogs
Donations
Big shout out to our donors this season:
