Suits, t-shirts, and meet schedule

I am looking forward to seeing everyone Thursday night from 7-8 for the Informational Meeting.  Here is some more information that I have been gathering.

Suits

There are two ways to order your suits.  First, your swimmer can go to JD Pence before Thursday and get sized and pay there.  Or, bring them with you Thursday night and they can be sized here and you can pay here.  Either way, they will also have a other items for sale at a reduced amount.  Click here to see the options.  They are selling an optional mesh gear bag.  It is not necessary, but some families requested this last year.

If you want to use last year's suit, that is completely fine!  You do not have to buy a new suit, but this year's suit will look different.  But, we will stay with this new suit for many years to come.  I apologize that last year's suit will not be continued this year!  If you want to donate last year's suit to another WHCS swimmer, we are going to collect them for an "Extra Suit Shop" at the Informational Meeting.  We ask you wash your suit prior to donating it, and we will give the old suits away for a suggested donation to the Swim Team of up to $5.

T-Shirts

We are going to keep the same shirts as last year.  We will begin ordering them at the Informational Meeting.  Deadline for the T-Shirt order will be around October 10.  More details about price and what they look like will be discussed at the Meeting.  The cost will be about $10.

Meet Schedule

Click here for a copy of this year's schedule.  I do not expect it to change any more, and I will notify everyone if it does change at all.

Pre-season update...(lots of info!)

This is what you all have been waiting for!  Inside this update you will find information on:
Practice times
Practice schedule and sign-ups
Informational Meeting
Meet Schedule
Helping the team

Practice Times

This year, we will be using two different pools!  For those that don't know, our normal practice pool at Valley Catholic (VC) is only 16 yards long.  It will be a huge benefit for everyone to swim occasionally in a "normal" 25 yard pool, so we will utilize the Beaverton Swim Center (BSC) pool on the weekends during the season.  Due to the size of the BSC pool, we can accommodate EVERYONE on our team at once, so I strongly encourage everyone to try to come to those practices.  Our practice schedule will look like this:

Practice Schedule and sign-ups

Monday: 4:00-5:00 @ VC

Tuesday: 4:00-5:00 @ VC

Wednesday: 4:00-5:00 @ VC

Thursday: 4:00-5:00 @ VC

Friday: 3:15-4:30 @ WHCS (dryland) Everyone encouraged!

Saturday: (10/11, 10/18, 10/25) 4:00-5:00 @ BSC  Everyone encouraged!

Sunday: (11/16, 11/23, 11/30, 12/7, 12/14, 01/04, 01/11) 6:00-7:00 @ BSC  Everyone encouraged!

**JUST IN...VC Pool is broken!  Unknown date to be fixed at this time (09/26).  VC has assured us that it will be fixed in October, exact date unknown!  I will hopefully have an update at the Info Meeting!**

Everyone should try to come to at least two practices a week, and if you are in another sport during the swim season, you can limit it to one practice a week.  Due to the size of VC, we are limited to about 20 swimmers in the water at one time (and that is VERY crowded).  So, I ask that you show up to no more than two practices during M-Th at VC.  If you want to practice a third time a week (acceptable and encouaged), please come to BSC during the weekend practice times.  If you can only make it once during the week, coming to the weekend practice for the second practice is just fine too and preferred.  We have no space limitations at BSC.

I will begin sign-ups at the Info Meeting (see below).  It will begin on paper that night, then I will move it over to a link on the blog.  More info on this will be available at the Info Meeting.

Informational Meeting

On October 2 at 7 until 8 PM, we will have our pre-season parent Informational Meeting.  During the meeting, I will be sharing a ton of information.  You will also be able to order a team suit, team shirt, and any additional needs with JD Pence (a local swim shop) at a reduced amount.  Look for another blog post later this week with the exact options to order.

JD Pence will be at the Informational Meeting for suit sizing and additional item sales, so you can bring your child to be properly sized for their suit at the Meeting.  They would then stick around for the meeting as well. If this is an inconvenient time for your child to come, or to save the craziness of bringing them that night, you can go directly to their store anytime before the Informational Meeting to be sized at their store. You will need to tell them that you are with West Hills swim team. 

Meet Schedule

Here is the most up to date meet schedule, although there may be some slight changes still.

Oct. 26 - Time:TBA @ Mt. Hood CC - Pumpkin Relay Meet

Nov. 1 - 3:30-6:30 @ Mt. Hood CC

Nov. 15 - 3:30-6:30 @ Reynolds Pool

Dec. 6 - 3:30-6:30 @ Reynolds Pool

Dec. 13 - 3:30-6:30 @ Reynolds Pool

Jan. 3 - 3:30-6:30 @ Mt. Hood CC - WHCS Hosts!

Jan. 18 - 1:00-5:30 @ Mt. Hood CC - Polliwog (K-3) Championships

Jan 24 or 25 -  1:00-5:30 @ Mt. Hood CC - Cub and Cadet (4-8) Championships

Jan. 31 - 1:00-5:00 @ Mt. Hood CC - All Star Championships 

Helping the Team

I will be asking for volunteers to assist in a few different areas throughout the season.  A few can even be done at the comfort at your home, but some require some training.  Right now, I have a large need for 1-3 more assistant coaches.  All training will be provided, and mostly you need to be an extra set of eyes for safety and a great encourager!  If you have a desire to help in this capacity, please contact Coach Kevin ASAP!

Other jobs will be announced at the Informational Meeting, so please bring your planner!  

I look forward to seeing everyone on October 2!  

Please feel free to forward this on to friends!!

Swim Team Parent Meeting! 10/02!!

I will be sending out a lot if information in the next day or so, but I wanted to let you all know that I have scheduled a Swim Team Parent Meeting for October 2 at 7-8 pm in the Auditorium at WHCS.  There will be a lot of information, but you may come just for information and questions if you want to sign up at a later date.  The cutoff for sign-ups are October 10th.

Info for 2014-2015 Season

The season is upon us, and here is most of the information you will need to know!  There will be a pre-season Parent Meeting (TBD), and you can wait to hear all of the final information that night before registering if you choose.  To register please click here.

We will practice primarily at the Valley Catholic Pool (Murray / Farmington in Beaverton) M-Th after school from 4-5.  Friday dry land practices will be at WHCS from 3:15-4:15 every Friday we have school.  Weeknight evening practices are a possibility so far, but not confirmed by the facility.  The exact days of the week your swimmer will swim will be announced soon, since I need to work with the Valley Catholic coach and we have not finalized it yet.  All of our meets will most likely be on Saturday afternoons on 11/01, 11/15, 12/6, 12/13 & 01/03 on the east-side of Portland at a variety of pools. All swimmers must plan make at least three meets this year.  If this is not possible, please contact Coach Kevin for alternatives.

Practices will begin on 10/06 and continue through to the championship meets (everyone swims in at least one championship meet) in January.  I do conduct a swimming evaluation for all NEW swimmers.  This is to assure that all swimmers are able to swim (non-stop) 25 yards safely.  It doesn't have to be a racing stroke (although preferred), then we will teach the rest!  The evaluation will either be Oct. 1 or 2, more info soon on this, and you may wait to register if you are concerned about your child's safety.

I am in need of help this year!  Particularly, I need SWIM COACHES & Stroke and Turn Judges.  Stroke and Turn Judges work at swim meets and we are required to have two working judges for most meets.  If we could have four parents, this would really spread the load out!  MORE COACHES are needed to give the swimmers the best possible experience.  Have you ever considered coaching?  No experience is necessary. You will receive some training from the experienced, returning coaches and really what is needed, is someone to help encourage the kids and keep them moving and safe.  If you are interested or have questions, contact Coach Kevin!

Please don't hesitate to email any questions!

~Coach Kevin

Newest season information for 2014-2015...

I just wanted to keep you all informed as much as possible.  This is what I know at this time:

• We are going to have a season, but exact practice times are still being worked out.
• As always, I will be as flexible as possible...
• I will update when registration is available as soon as I know.
• Practices will begin on or around October 6 at Valley Catholic.
• If you are playing another sport (volleyball or basketball), you will be allowed to participate on the swim team.
• I will require all swimmers to attend at least one practice a week.
• The meet schedule is nearly finalized...Most likely it will be:
• 11/01, 11/15, 12/06, 12/13, & 01/03/15 in the afternoons.
• Championship meets (for all ages) will follow in January 2015.
• Cost should be between $150-$175

I hope this email answers a couple questions, and I am very sorry for any delays in this information getting to you.

Blessings!!

Coach Kevin