2023 Open Water Zone Team Information

Angela Monty

Welcome to the 2023 Wisconsin Open Water Zone Team,

 
I am excited to welcome you to the Wisconsin Open Water Zone team. I am honored to be the Head Coach for Wisconsin’s Open Water Zone team following my position as assistant last year along with the outstanding coaching team of Carissa Donkersgoed, Lexi Monty, and Derrick Rendon. Coach Angela Monty is the Team Manager and is credited with bringing this meet together. We are proud to represent our Great State and to have the privilege to coach Wisconsin’s finest.
 
If you are a veteran or new to open water racing please review the information below.
  
 
Parking Etc
  • There are many parking spots available, but main entry road is one-way only. Exit must be done on backside upon leaving. 
  • Beer garden may be enjoyed by parents and spectators, but no alcoholic beverages may be brought outside of the designated beer garden area.  
  
TIMES AND DATES:
ZONE OPEN WATER CLINIC   – June 15th   @ 3:30pm. Please arrive by 3pm for clinic check-in and being prepared to start on time. Expected finish time is approximately 5pm.      
Clinic Information: All Athletes registered for Team Wisconsin will be registered for the clinic.   This is a great introduction to Open Water Swimming, and will cover: buoy turns, pack swimming, starts, positioning, and race strategy.  The swimmers will be working in stations on the course with coaches directing each one. 13 & over athletes may have the option of swimming the full course upon clinic completion.
*After clinic concludes – athlete registration, nail check, body marking available. It is recommended for athletes to check-in at the clinic on Thursday.
  
Athlete Check-In Registration Order:
Station #1: Nail Check (save time by trimming finger nails and toe nails before your arrival)
Station #2: Check-In, Packet Pick Up (Including bag tags, ticket for athletes to swim!)
Station #3: Suit Check (Tech Suits for 13 & over swimmers only)
Station #4: Numbering. Please do not apply sunscreen just before number marking as it will not work. Touch-ups will be available on Friday. 
  
RACE DAY     - Friday, June 16th 

  

MAIN EVENT Open Water Schedule for
5K & 13-14 2.5K Competitors:
6:00 – 7:00 AM CT: Officials Meeting
7:00 – 7:15 AM CT: Mandatory Coaches Meeting  6:45 AM CT: Registration & Check-In For 5K & 3K
(if not done night before)
7:30 – 8:00 AM CT: Course Open for Warm-Up
8:00 – 8:15 AM CT: Participant Clinic/Pre-Race Meeting - MANDATORY 8:30 AM: First wave of 5K Begins  10:15 AM CT: Estimated Start for 2.5K FOR 13-14 Competitors.

  

Open Water Schedule for Swimmers Ages: 11-12 and 10&Under
9:00 AM CT: Registration & Check-In for 1.25K & 2.5K
(if not done evening prior)
9:45 – 10:15 AM CT: Warm-Up in roped-in swim area
10:30– 10:45 AM CT: Participant Clinic/Pre-Race Meeting - MANDATORY
11:00 AM CT: approximate first wave start times for 11-12 2.5K 11:45 AM CT: approximate first wave of 10&Un 1.25K Begins
  

  

  • Awards:  
    • Meet staff is going to work to distribute awards as soon as results are finalized for each event 
    • Award times may vary based on determining order of finish. 
    • 1-8 place are medals 
    • 9-16 are ribbons 
    • Please wear your Team WI shirts during the awards. 

  

 
WISCONSIN ZONE TEAM AREA
Zone swimmers and families, this year we will have a Wisconsin Team Area where all the families and swimmers can sit and socialize before, during and after the race. It will be a rally point for the age groups before they race, our TEAM PICTURE meeting point and the area to meet your coaches and get any needed help, questions answered and anything before and after your races. 
  
***Team photos will be by age between group warm ups on race day.
 
NEEDED ITEMS
·         If you have a pop up canopies, Wisconsin or Packer Flags or shelters please bring them. I would like to stake our team area to the right side of the pavilion so we all sit together between the starting and finishing line. Parents are encouraged to wear RED shirts so we can look unified and Wisconsin Proud. 
·         PHOTOGRAPHER – If you would like to donate your photography skills and take a few team pictures please contact me. 
·         SWIMMER WEAR- Please note that most of us have a plethora of swim gear with your own team’s logo on it. When registered each swimmer will receive a Team Wisconsin shirt and that is the expected wear (weather permitting) for the Zone Meet. While we all are proud of each of our individual teams this meet we represent TEAM WISCONSIN and I ask that each athlete displays their Team Wisconsin shirt proudly. If we have inclement weather or it is cold please wear any parka or warm ups to keep warm. 
 
TIPS AND TRICKS
RELAX AND SWIM ON   – During the race it could get crowded and contact and bumping will happen. You’ll generally have two options: stay completely out of the way of other people or learn to deal with it and turn it into a performance advantage. You will be starting in deep water, Get your body horizontal and kick your legs gently but make sure you scull with your palms facing forwards to prevent a false start. When the hooter goes, kick hard and start swimming to give yourself a boost off the line.
PRACTICE SIGHTING   – The best way to sight is lift your head forward and look forward as you turn your head to breath.   You want to limit how high you lift your head because your hips will drop, so try just below the goggle line.   If you keep your head down to long you risk swimming of course and adding more distance to your race, if you sight too much you can slow your pace.
LEARN THE COURSE   – When you get to Lake Andrea Beach check the course, where the buoys are, landmarks like trees and buildings to sight on to keep you straight when you swim.
BREATHING   - I  t is best to   breathe to the opposite side   when someone is next to you. If not, you might get hit in the face, and/or lose your goggles.
EATING/HYDRATING   - Take care of your body. It is easy to get dehydrated out in the open water. Drink plenty of fluids two days out, but don't get bloated.
SUNSCREEN   – Do not put on sunscreen before body marking, the sunscreen will cause the body markings to not stick and you will not be able to compete if that happens.
  
Safety is our top priority and we are monitoring conditions, however, please plan to bring towels and wear layers as race day is expected to be starting off cooler at this time. 
 
That is it for now, the coaching staff is looking forward to meeting and working with you all. Hopefully we will see you at the Open Water Clinic June 15th, all Team Wisconsin Athletes have been registered for the clinic so we look forward to seeing you there.
 
Best regards and if you have any questions please reach out by email.
 
Your Open Water Zone Coaching Staff
___________________________
  
Staff
LAKE Head Coach Conner Andrews   [email protected]  
EBSC Carissa Donkersgoed   [email protected]
WEST Derrick Rendon   [email protected]
EBSC Lexi Monty   [email protected]
Team Manager Angela Monty   [email protected]
 

More photos: