SHST Weekly Report - April 17, 2023

Tina Fruhauf
 

Practice (Meet) Makes Perfect!

HIGHLIGHTS & NEWS

Pool Clean Up was a Success! 

Our annual Pool Clean Up was a total success! The pool and surrounding area looks great and is all ready for our season to begin! Thank you to the many helping hands!  The sun was shining yesterday as many families showed up and pulled weeds, trimmed hedges, cleaned and reorganized chairs on the pool deck, scrubbed the refrigerators, freezer and bbq, and were just generally awesome! A special thanks to Deb Alan for leading the charge to clean out and update the Lifeguard Closet, equipping our team with updated First Aid supplies!

 


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 22nd and is a little different than normal dual meets described on our website linked above. This Practice Meet is only with swimmers from our own team. ‘Dual meet’ means we swim against another team. The Practice Meet is a great time for new swimmers and their families to get the hang of things before our first dual meet vs. the Terra Linda Orcas on April 29th.  At the Practice Meet you will learn your volunteer job, swimmers will learn how to line up, prepare to swim, and get an indication on how they are doing. If you do not have a volunteer assignment that day, you are still expected to attend a quick training at your assigned position to hear directions and learn what the tasks will be, starting at 8:00am.  If you are traffic duty, please meet at 7:15am.

 

SIGNING UP FOR 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 Mark.)

Group 3 & 4 swimmers can sign up for all 5 strokes if they like and if they have mastered the strokes. (5 strokes is only for the practice meet - for all other meets, swimmers can only sign up for max 3 strokes.)

 

 

HOW TO SIGN UP

You will receive an email the week before each meet when the sign up is open. 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 will be in each Monday’s Weekly Report as well.

 

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!

 

 

COMING TO THE PRACTICE MEET

Please be sure to read the information on the About Swim Meets" page for detailed information on meets. 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 should be at the pool for warm-ups, which - for the practice meet - run from 7:45-8:15 am. 8 & Under swimmers do not warm up! (Dual meet warm up times will differ.)

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

 

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

 

At approximately 8:25 am Coach Mark, Coach Paul and swimmers will do the team cheer (not to be missed!) followed by the introduction to the meet and singing of the National Anthem. The Practice Meet officially begins at 8:35 am.

 

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:

At the Practice Meet you will learn your volunteer job. If you have a poolside job (timers, clerk of course, runner, cleanup), check in at the volunteer table (situated immediately inside the front gate on the right). You will receive a name badge and be checked in.  It is critical to sign in by 7:55am for both FIRST and SECOND shifts with the volunteer team to make sure your job is accounted for and you have been checked in as a volunteer for that day. If you do not have a volunteer assignment that day, you are still expected to attend a quick training at your assigned position to hear directions and learn what the tasks will be, starting at 8:00am.  If you are traffic duty, please meet at 7:15am.

 

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.

 

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.  Be ready at 8:10 am to meet up with our head referee and head timer for instructions.

   

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! 

 

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 22nd for the Practice Meet!

 

 


We Need More Timers! 

Attention all Swim Families! 

First, thank you for everyone who has signed up to work our home and away meets; however we still have 16 Poolside shifts (mostly timers) that are unfilled.  We are asking for the entire team’s help to fill additional spots. If you are a part of another committee, please consider volunteering for one timing shift.  If you are a Poolside Volunteer, please consider taking on one more shift.  This is a fun way to try a different job once this season (and will help the team oh so much!).

 

If you can help with any of the dates below, please email [email protected], and we will manually add you to the sign up. 

 

2 timer shifts on 5/13 (2nd half of meet)

1 timer shifts on 6/10 (1st half)

9 timer shifts on 6/10 (2nd half)

4 timer shifts on 6/17 PM (2nd half)

There will be training for Poolside jobs at our April 22nd practice meet for anyone who needs it. 

For those that have already signed up, remember it is your responsibility to find someone if you are not able to make your shift AND inform [email protected] 48 hours prior to your shift. Note that replacements can include any other swim team parents or responsible family members/friends. 

It takes a village...  Thank you for your support! 

 


Lots of April Fun!

Friday, April 21: 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 21 at 4:40p and ends around 5p. 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 28: 11+ Casino Night

Ante up! It's time for our older swimmers to have a little gambling fun! 11+ swimmers come out to the Clubhouse for a great night of games to win prizes and spend time with your teammates. The games are simple so no experience is necessary. Dinner and dessert will be provided. This event is for 11+ swimmers only (no parents) and starts at 7:15p and goes until 8:30p. If your 11+ swimmers are in Group 4 make sure they pack a change of clothes in their swim bag for the evening (they will also get out of swim early to make the event). RSVP here or through the Evite that will be sent via email later Monday. 

Friday, May 5: 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 second ever Karaoke Party on May 5! The night will be filled with music, games, dancing, dinner and yes, karaoke! The event will begin at 6:15p and go until 7:45p. Evite coming soon. Thank you to the Dricken-Jaeger Family for sponsoring this event!

 


A Big Thank You

... to the Grimm/Spooner Family, the Dricken/Jaeger Family, and the Singleton Family for their recent contributions to the team!

 


Congrats to our Swimmers of the Week!

Group 1/2: Nora Shorrock Chen, Sybil Dricken, Aero Holt, and Tobin Sellenriek 

Group 3/4: Paige Taplin and Holly Hovey, Dodge Lewicki, and Dax Fowler  

 

IMPORTANT DATES FOR ALL SWIMMERS

Wednesday, April 19th: T&B Gear will be available for pick up at the pool during practice times.

Friday, April 21st: Bark Buddies - see above!

Saturday, April 22nd: SHST Practice Meet!

Friday, April 28th: 11+ Casino Night

Saturday, April 29th: First Dual Swim Meet against the TL Orcas (Home meet)

Friday, May 5th: 9/10 Karaoke Night

 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

 

Summer Camp at San Domenico with Coach Mark & Coach Paul

Coach Mark and Coach Paul are running super fun water polo and swim camps at San Domenico this summer.  Click here for more details and to register.


Consider a Donation to SHST

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 the Dricken/Jaeger Family for sponsoring 9/10 Karaoke Night,   Zamira Solari Realty for sponsoring the team's Fun Fridays, the Mullen Family for sponsoring our 9/10 Movie Night, and Ghiringhelli's Pizzeria for sponsoring 8&U Movie Night!  Thank you also to the Grimm/Spooner Family and the Singleton Family for thier contributions to the team. We appreciate your generosity and support!
 

Thanks to Scott Harrington for Keeping our Kids Safe!

A huge shout out to Scott Harrington for the fresh bright orange Crossing Flags.  We are very grateful for his generosity is helping our swimmers cross busy Butterfield more safely.  Thanks Scott!

 

 


Our Youngest Swimmers had a Great Movie Night

 Thanks to Ghiringhelli's for sponsoring this fun evening for our 8Us!

 

Thanks to the Mullen Family for 9/10 Movie Night Fun!

Special thanks to the Mullen Family for sponsoring a fantastic 9/10 Movie Night on Friday. The kids had a blast watching Puss in Boots, munching on burritos and treats, and making memories!

 


​​Pasta Potluck

It was great to see so many sea lion families at the Pasta Potluck. Thank you for your yummy pasta dishes and salads! Thank you to Kismet, Kientz Hall, and Oleema Skincare for generously donating raflle prizes! And, thank you to the Fun Committee for organizing such a wonderful SHST kick-off event!
 
 

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!

 


Practice Details

THANK YOU to Zamira Solari for sponsoring our Fun Fridays for the entire season!  

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.

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

Please be sure you have read the important rules/guidelines about swim practice here:

  • 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.

 


Spirit Wear Sneak Peak

We are super excited to offer yet another fantastic Sleepy Hollow Swim Team spirit wear line this year!  Spirit wear will be available for purchase at the practice meet and home meets. It sells out quick!


 

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.


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.

 


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!
 

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