Weekly Update: End of Season Meet & Info + a fun video

Thanks for another great week Aquadawgs!

This last week we worked on some pacing (best average swimming) and IMs. Beginners also worked on some introductory flip turn work. This week we will be focusing on technique, speed, starts and turns in preparation for our swim meet.

Our last meet of the season is this Saturday, December 13th the Ahwatukee YMCA (7:00 am) Please remember to bring your meet form to me no later than Thursday, December 11th. Please dress WARM (being extra everything, and dress warmer than you think you need to) for the swim meet. Refer to this previous post for more specifics on how to dress for winter meets.

Our last day of practices will be Tuesday December 16th and Wednesday December 17th. We will be doing the 12 days of Christmas swim for our final practice.

Remember to start registering for next season. It may seem far away now, but Christmas break will fly and we will be back in the pool in no time. 

Also don't forget about the holiday gift guide swimming gifts make great Christmas presents. 

Over winter break there will be some swimming on TV. Besides the olympics, swimming only is aired on TV about twice a year, so mark your calendars! On Sunday December 21st from 3-4pm EST on NBC the FINA short course world championships will be on. I would encourage all Aquadwags to try to watch this if they can.

Here is a fun video I saw on Facebook this week. Enjoy!

"When You Say You're a Swimmer" from Chris Shimojima on Vimeo.

Coach Alisha
alisha.maxwell@vosymca.org

Weekly Update: HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Thanks for another great week Aquadawgs!

This week I am grateful to have a job where I get to work with awesome swimmers and their families. You guys are the reason I love what I do!

I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving.

Here is an article on 15 reasons to be thankful for swimming.

This week swimmers swam the TURKEY swim.

T--turns
U--underwater
R--race (turkey race)
K--kick
E--every stroke (IM)
Y--yards/YMCA

It was lots of fun and we burned some calories so we could eat up on Thursday.

Important Info:

• Check out the holiday gift guide for great gift ideas for Aqaudawgs!
• Next swim meet is our next swim meet is Saturday December 13th at 7:00am the Ahwatukee YMCA. Please have your meet forms to me by Thursday December 11th. 
• Our last day of practices will be Tuesday December 16th and Wednesday December 17th. We will be doing the 12 days of Christmas swim for our final practice.
• If swimmers would like, we are thinking about making shirts that say: "I survived the 12 days of Christmas swim". Swimmers would have to pay $10 for these shirts. If you like this idea send me an email (alisha.maxwell@vosymcaa.org) saying you want us to make shirts. If we get enough interest we are going to go through with it, if not we will just do the swim for fun.
• PLEASE remember to dress warm for practice. Sweatshirts, sweatpants, beanies, and warm shoes are encouraged. Being cold after practice is not good. Please dress warm. 

Weekly Update: Meet Recap (PICTURES), Staying Warm, & Coach Alisha's Email

Thanks for a great week last week Aquadawgs!

Last week the swimmers worked on some starts, turns and fast swimming in preparation for our swim meet.

I was very impressed with all of the swimmers who went to the swim meet. I held the swimmers responsible for knowing warm up before the swim meet and I think that helped warm up go very smoothly. I also saw a lot of good racing happening especially in our older age groups. It always helps us push ourselves if we have someone to race. I also saw a lot of swimmers drop times and also inform me that they dropped times. Focusing on our times is a wonderful habit we are developing as individuals and as a team.

MEET RESULTS

A few things to improve on for the next meet are swimmers need to come more prepared for the weather, especially the little ones. I saw too many cold swimmers. It is a good idea to bring a sweat shirts, sweat pants, several towels and shoes to the swim meet. Also kids love hot chocolate in a thermos after getting out of the pool.

For the next swim meet I would prefer that swimmers walk up to their race with a towel or sweatshirt and shoes. They should take them off before their race and leave them on the timers chair. Then after the race they can pick them up and put them on. For those swimming 25's wear a towel or sweatshirt and shoes to the starting end of the pool and have your parents meet you at the finish with a warm dry towel. And then you can go get your stuff you left at the start.

Lets please stay warm.

And please prepare for the weather at practice the same way with sweatshirts, sweatpants, shoes, and warm dry towels.

Reminders & Important Information:

• Tuesday there is practice even though it is Veterans Day
• Coach Alisha has a YMCA email! If you have her personal email please start using this one for all YMCA related questions: alisha.maxwell@vosymca.org
• Please get your ribbons from the meet at practice
• Follow our Aquadawg Instagram @ymcaaquadawgs

Thanks!

Coach Alisha