SHST Weekly Report - February 13, 2023

Tina Fruhauf

Welcome to our New and Returning Sea Lion Families!

HIGHLIGHTS & NEWS

 

Happy Valentines Day! 

We are excited to get our kids back in the pool for the 52nd year of the Sleepy Hollow Swim Team!

This is our first official "Weekly Report" of the 2023 season. For those new to the team, we send an email every Monday. We try our best to batch communication and send everything at one time to not bombard you with too much information. It doesn’t always work out that way, but we do try! In addition to the plentiful information on our website, weekly reports will also be posted online so you can access them at any time without digging for old emails. 

Prior to our first practice on February 27th, we will send additional information about your practice groups, your SHST Family Commitment assignment, our Covid Protocols, buying Team Uniform & Spirit Wear and other important topics.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

 

A Note from Coach Mark

Hello All,

Welcome to the 2023 SHST/MSL swim season. I am super excited to announce the return of Paul Birich to the Sealions Coaching staff and Sleepy Hollow community. Paul previously coached SHST with me for 8 years. He will be a super addition to our team and is available for private and group lessons NOW. Please email him at [email protected] if interested. 
 
We have lots of new swimmers this spring and it will be fun getting them up to speed. We also have lots of very good returning swimmers who will help bring along the team. Getting to know each other better and giving them some attainable goals is always fun.
 
What is important to me are the little things we do every day at practice. These things have very little to do with swimming. Checking in, making eye contact, saying hello and how are you, and using our manners are huge on our pool deck.
 
As always, if there are any special needs, please let me know in confidence. My email is [email protected].
 
I am looking forward to seeing everyone very soon.
 
Coach Mark

And of course, make sure to tell your swimmer that…

IT’S TIME TO START KICKING BOOTYAKUM!

GO SEA LIONS!!!

IMPORTANT DATES FOR ALL SWIMMERS

Saturday/Sunday February 25th and 26th: Mandatory assessments for all NEW swimmers (more information below)

Sunday, February 26th: You will receive additional information via email about practice group placements. 

Monday, February 27th: Practice begins!!  More information below.

Friday, March 10th: 11 & Up Pizza Night. More information below.

Tuesday, March 14th:  Last day to drop from the team and receive a refund - email Kerry Dahnke.

Wednesday, March 15th: T&B Sports will be at the pool for swimmers to try-on team Uniform.

Friday, March 17th: Pasta Potluck @ 6-8pm. More information below.

Friday, March 17th: Practice will end @ 6:00 for Group 3; Practice cancelled for Group 4 due to Pasta Potluck

Sunday, March 19th: Last day to order Uniform gear from the online T&B store. More information below.

Friday, March 24th: 9/10 Movie Night. More information below.

Friday, March 31st: 8 & Under Movie Night

 

Mandatory Pre-Season Assessment for All NEW Swimmers - Sat AND Sun, Feb 25-26th

All new swimmers MUST ATTEND BOTH SESSIONS (Feb 25th & 26th) of our MANDATORY swim clinics with Coach Mark - schedule below.  If you have questions about these assessments, please contact head coach  Mark Anderson. 

The coaches will work with the new swimmers to assess their readiness for swim team and help them prepare for the upcoming season. At the end of the clinic, our head coach, Mark Anderson will let you know if he feels that your child is not ready for the swim team. You will receive a full refund (minus processing fees if you paid by credit card). This assessment is solely at the coach’s discretion. If you have questions regarding the swim assessments or your child's swim readiness, please contact head coach Mark Anderson. 

If your child decides not to swim this year, please let us know ASAP!!! There is a waitlist of swimmers hoping to join the team. Refunds are available if the swimmer drops off the team and notice is emailed to Kerry Dahnke no later than on or before March 14th, 2023.  There will be no refunds processed under any circumstances, after March 14th, 2023.

Saturday, February 25th

10:30-11:00am: NEW 8 & Under swimmers- last names A – K 

11:00-11:30am: NEW 8 & Under swimmers- last names L – Z 

11:30-12:00pm: ALL NEW 9/10 swimmers 

12:00-12:30pm: ALL NEW 11 & Up swimmers 

AND 

Sunday, February 27th

10:30-11:00am: ALL NEW 8 & Under swimmers

11:15-11:45am: ALL NEW 9 & Up swimmers

 

Practice Groups and Practice Schedule

Swim practice starts on Monday, February 27th. Practices are Monday through Friday and swimmers may attend as often as they like. Our coaches recommend that swimmers attend practice at least three days a week in order to progress throughout the season. Click here for more information.

Swimmers will be placed in one of four practice groups prior to the start of the season. You will receive an email on Sunday, February 26th stating which group your child/children are placed. Remember, practice groups are based on ability and motivation, not age. We recommend you give it at least two weeks of practice before requesting a change to another group. Questions regarding your child's practice group should be directed to Mark Anderson.

Practice Schedule

Swim practices start on Monday, February 27th and go through June 9th. 

Group 1             4:00 PM - 4:40 PM

Group 2             4:40 PM - 5:25 PM

Group 3             5:25 PM - 6:15 PM

Group 4             6:15 PM - 7:25 PM*

*on Fridays Group 4 practices from 6:15 PM - 7:10 PM

A few important notes about practices:

  • We ask that parents of groups 3 & 4 not hang around the pool deck/watch practices.
  • Due to the nature of the landscaping, we ask that all swimmers wear shoes when entering the site to keep the pool clean.
  • Practices will change from the afternoons to the mornings starting Monday, June 12th.
  • For more information, please read Getting Prepared for Practice.

 

Fun Activities 2023 Begin!

Friday, March 10: 11+ Pizza Night

Pizza night for our 11+ swimmers will be Friday, March 10 and will take place directly after group 4 practice. Parents, please pick your swimmers up at 7:15pm.  

A reminder about the evening…The older swimmers grab some pizza, chat about weekend plans, high five the coaches, and head out to start their weekend...sometimes shoveling food in their mouths as they walk out the gate :). We only serve the food after Group 4 swims but this event is for all 11+ swimmers. So if your 11+ swimmer is not in Group 4, it's up to you if you want to bring your swimmer back to the pool. Please keep in mind, this event is very quick and it is only for the swimmers (no parents). It lasts about 10 minutes from about 7:05- 7:15’ish.

Friday, March 17: Season Kick-Off - Team Pasta Potluck Dinner 

Let's Get Ready to Rumble at the team Pasta Potluck on March 17th from 6- 8PM at the Clubhouse! This family Fun event is a great opportunity to meet new families, learn more about the season from Coach Mark and Coach Paul, enjoy a night with this amazing community, and win prizes! 

Families are asked to bring the following: 

  • Last names A through E: Bring a salad dish to share (with serving utensils)
  • Last names F through Z: Bring a pasta to share (with serving utensils)

Fun Committee will provide lemonade, sparkling water, and cookies. 

This event is also a fundraiser for the team. We sell raffle tickets ($20 for an arms length of raffle tickets) with the chance to win some fun prizes, so be sure to bring some cash…and long torpedo arms! 

Note that Group 3 practice will end at 6p and Group 4 practice will be cancelled on 3/17 for the Pasta Potluck.

Invitation coming soon!

Friday, March 24: 9/10 Movie Night

Attention all 9 and 10 year old swimmers: Friday, March 24th is Movie Night! Wear something comfy, bring a sleeping bag and pillow, and come watch a movie with your friends! Swimmers will enjoy bean and cheese burritos for dinner followed by some yummy treats for the movie!

Invitation coming soon! 

Friday, March 31: 8 & Under Movie Night

We will send out more information on this Fun event soon! Thanks to Ghiringhelli's Pizzeria for sponsoring this event!

 

T&B Sports Uniform & Swimsuits TRY ONS at the pool

On Wednesday, March 15th, our vendor T&B sports along with parent volunteers will be at the pool allowing swimmer to try on gear. You will be able to make all purchases of our Team Uniform & Swimsuits online starting February 28, including Sea Lion TYR swimsuits, sweatshirts, parkas, sweatpants, pajama pants and caps.
 
The online store will close March 19th and all merchandise will hopefully be ready before our Practice Meet on April 22nd. If you have questions or need help with sizing, please contact Winona at T&B Sports ([email protected]) or visit their store in San Rafael.
 
 

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 walkway on Butterfield from Katrina Ct. to the clubhouse.  

  • Remind your swimmer(s) not to walk 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.

​

Volunteer Assignments

Except for those of you involved with the "Fun" Committee,  Family Commitment volunteer assignments will not be sent out until later in March. In the meantime, read more about the Family Commitment, or if you have questions about volunteering please contact Nicole Cibellis. 

 

Meets

Our first meet is Saturday, April 22nd and is our Practice Meet. This meet is just for Sleepy Hollow Swim team swimmers to record their first times and for our volunteers to get comfortable with their poolside jobs. April 29th will be our first Dual Meet which will be a home meet. To have a look at our full Meet schedule look here and for more information on meets look here.

 

Help Feed Our Coaches

For those new to the team, parents sign up to bring dinner(s) (breakfasts for summer practices) to our wonderful coaches. Mark and Paul really appreciate it! Sign up here for 2023. THANK YOU!

 

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 appreciate your support!