June 27 Update

Hello WST Swimmers and Families,

We’ve had a wet and thunderous last few days, but we’re crossing our fingers for blue skies and sunshine the rest of the summer!  Thanks so much for everyone who came prepared and ready to help out on Tuesday: it was a great practice run.  We have rescheduled the meet for July 11 and we hope the delay won’t dampen the fervor!  There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board to re-enter swimmers for the meet.  Because we didn’t actually start the meet, swimmers who were not originally entered are now eligible.  However, we don’t want to assume previously entered swimmers are still available to swim so please sign up each attending swimmer.

This Sunday is the Icebreaker Invitational in Springfield.  The first session of warmups runs from 8:00-9:30 and afternoon session of warmups run from 12:00-1:30.  We do not yet know which particular slot we’ll have, so be on the lookout for an email with specific times.  For those attending, here is a link to directions on the SVSL website: http://svslvt.org/Directions/CRVSSpringfield%20Directions.html

In the future, directions to all SVSL pool locations can be found here.

Suits are now in for those who ordered them.  A number of people picked up their suits before the meet but if you have not, talk to the coaches and they will get you your new suit!

Our first week has been excellent and we are excited for what the season holds.  We have 99 registered swimmers after one week, marking the largest WST team in recent memory!  Even though there’s quite a few of them, the kids of all been exceptional and if our drill-meet on Tuesday is any indication it seems that parents are also going to be great about stepping up to the plate this season.

Please continue to let us know if and when questions arise, we’ll be happy to respond to any queries!

Happy Swimming,

Maddie, Sam, and Nicola

UVAC Meet Rescheduled

We wanted to clarify that the UVAC meet is NOT rescheduled for tomorrow, Thursday the 27th.  We will have it in mid July and will get you a date soon.

WST Coaches

Home Meet on Tuesday 6/25

Hello all!  As you probably know, we have our FIRST MEET at home on Tuesday (6/25).  We are excited to have many swimmers participating.  Here is some important information.

Where: Woodstock Rec Pool
When: Swimmers arrive at 3:45pm for warmup; the meet starts at 5pm

1.  Things to bring: suit/cap/goggles, healthy snacks, warm clothes, and WATER!

2.  Please plan on staying through the very end of the meet.  Many swimmers are in relays, and they may not know before the meet starts if they are entered in one.  When one swimmer in a relay leaves before the end, we end up having to scratch relays and other swimmers cannot swim either.  If you are planning to leave early, please check with a coach as early as possible.

3.  Please check in with Tammy, our volunteer coordinator, upon arriving to the meet, to let her know you're there and ready to help out. 

4.  We have a concession stand during home meets where the Rec cooks some food, such as hotdogs and hamburgers.  However, we ask that all parents also bring a small donation to the concession stand.  Ideally, donations consist of healthy snacks such as fruit, granola bars, home made goodies, etc., but anything you can do is great!

5.  We see meets as just another way to keep practicing what we've been doing in practice.  Meets are fun and no-pressure, and we encourage swimmers to cheer on their friends and teammates!

We are looking forward to seeing you all at practice on Monday and at the meet on Tuesday!
 

First Day Is Coming Up!

Congrats to all the area graduates from Pre-K on up. You are on to new and exciting ventures this summer and beyond.

Our first day of WST practice is Wednesday, June 19th. The WST coaches Maddie, Sam, Nicola and Megan are so excited for the 2013 season, and we are frantically gearing up for next week.

Speaking of gearing up, thanks to Tammy Meyers and Jo MacMaster for sharing the Volunteer Coordinator responsibilities. They are already off to a great start, but they need your help with the paperwork, so please return all your forms ASAP. Thanks!

New and returning coaches or anyone interested in volunteer coaching: There is a training session on Tuesday the 18th from 7:15-8:15pm at the WRC pool. Please come. Bring a pen and a bathing suit!

First Stroke and Turn Clinic for Volunteer Officials: 
Wednesday, June 19th
Rutland's Godnick Adult Center
6:30 pm

Too old for WST? Try UV Rays!

This is the second year WRC Executive Director Gail Devine has graciously arranged lane space to enable us to host Masters swimming at the WRC. In collaboration with WRC and UVAC, Head Coach Barbara Hummel and Assistant Coach Nicola Smith will lead morning practices; look for one or both of us at the Rec from 7-8am, Monday through Thursday. Appropriate for various levels including those looking to train for fitness, for triathlon skills or for technical instruction. WRC pool pass and UV Rays membership required. While we are not a learn-to-swim program, we can accommodate a range of abilities. Please contact Nicola or Head Coach Barbara Hummel for more information.

UV Rays Team Site

Icebreaker Meet on June 30th

Where: Springfield.  Directions can be found here: http://svslvt.org/Directions/CRVSSpringfield%20Directions.html.

When: June 30th
Morning session: 10&unders
      Warmup: 8:00am
      Start: 9:30am
Afternoon session: 11&overs
     Warmup: 1:00pm
     Start: 2:20pm
(These warm-up times are approximate and we will be more specific as we get closer to the date)


--For those of you training to be Stroke and Turn officials, there will be a clinic offered at 8am right before this meet if this one works best with your schedule. 

--The fee is $10 per swimmer for this invitational, which can be dropped off at the front desk at the Rec or given to a coach.  If you leave it at the Rec, please make sure you also tell them your name and what the money is for.  We cannot enter swimmers without first receiving the entry fee. 

Important Registration Information

As you register for swim team, please be sure to collect and fill out the three forms needed to ensure your swimmer is fully registered. Your swimmer is not on our official roster unless all forms are complete. Once you have completed the forms, please submit them to the WRC main office.

1) A two-page WRC registration and release form
2) Meet Sign Up Sheet
3) Volunteer Sign Up Sheet

All forms are available at the Rec center. Thanks!

Morning Practice Change and Registration Night

June is here and summer is just around the corner. And that means it's almost summer swim season!

Don't forget, WST Registration Night is June 4th from 5-7pm. Share the news with anyone you think would be interested in swimming for the summer. If you can't make it, please know that next week is the best time to order your suits if you want them in time for the early part of the season.

Also, just to make sure everyone is aware of the practice schedule. Please note the change to the morning practice time.

12-12:45pm for ages 8 and Under
12-1pm for 9-10 years old

1-2pm for ages 11 and over
7-8am for ages 11 and older; younger swimmers would need permission from a coach

We can't wait to see you all soon!
WST Coaches

It is never to early to think about summer...especially for WST members! Our league, the SVSL, is pulling together the competition schedule for 2013, and the coaches will be sure to update our swim families as soon as possible.

Some competition dates are tentative, but highly probable: League Champs, July 27th (Rain Date: July 28th); VSA State Champs: August 2nd and 3rd. We will confirm ASAP.

In the meantime, we are looking for a Volunteer Coordinator for 2013 as Julia Haynes has chosen to step down. If you are good at organizing others, have a nack for communication and an hour or so per week to offer to WST during the summer, please contact us at wstcoaches@gmail.com.

Leagues Update

LEAGUES!
This Saturday, July 28th, we have the Southern Vermont Swim League Championships at Rutland.  This meet will feature all the teams in our league so, needless to say, it's going to be quite the event!  Our 10 and Unders will be swimming during the morning session which starts at 9:00.  All the 11 and Overs will be be swimming during the afternoon session, starting at 1:30.  We do not yet have specific warmup times but we do know that they will be between 7:30-8:30 for the morning session and between 12:00-1:00 for the afternoon session.  There will also be a concession stand running all day that will sell food, swimsuits, and goggles.  Meet programs (which are very helpful to have) will be sold at the gate when entering the pool area.  We are really excited about this meet and we hope all our swimmers are too!

Picnic Reminder!
Don't forget: next Tuesday evening, July 31st, will be our annual Swim Team Picnic!  The event will be a potluck and we'll be sure to let you know more specifically what to bring.  This night is always a ton of fun and we hope that everyone will be able to make it, so mark your calendars!

Happy Swimming
Nicola, Maddie, and Sam