2009 Parent Info Packet & Calendar + Preseason Reminders

Hello Rapids Parents,

Last month, I sent the team (in a series of embarrassing, unattached e-mails) the parent packet for this coming season. The file is in word (.doc) format. If for some reason you did not recieve this e-mail, please let me know if you need me to send that to you (richardson.rapids@hotmail.com). Or swing by the Richardson YMCA and grab a hard copy from Nick Echtenkamp. Also, please plan summer vacations accordingly (meaning avoiding end-of-July vacations)!!!! Thanks for the committment! 

STROKE CLINIC UPDATE: If you are planning on doing this, please get signed up. Stroke Clinic will begin in LESS THAN A MONTH! Jessica will be leading this up at the Lake Highlands YMCA and I will be there help beginning mid-May. Let's get a jump start on the season!! Call Nick at the Richardson YMCA or Jessica at the Lake Highlands YMCA for more info. 

Finally, don't forget to attend the 2009 summer info meeting at the end of May. It will be a very exciting and important one this year! That's all I will say for now...hey, I gotta build the anticipation somehow. 

Best as you finish out the academic year,

Coach Ryan

Coughlin's Freestyle Kicking Tips | Active.com

Hello Team! Copy & paste this link into your URL to watch a quick clip about the importance of Freestyle kick >

http://www.active.com/swimming/Articles/Natalie_Coughlin_s_Freestyle_Kicking_Tips.htm?act=EMC-Eteamz&Vehicle=Swimming&Date=03_22_09&Edition=1&Sections=Articles&Creative=Natalie_Coughlin_s_Freestyle_Kicking_Tips&TextName=More&ArtText=Txt&Placement=1&Dy=Mon

Active.com > Swimming > Natalie Coughlin's Freestyle Kicking Tips

Natalie Coughlin's Freestyle Kicking Tips

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Presented by H2O Audio

Two-time Olympian and world record holder Natalie Coughlin presents her second swimming video tip presented by H2O Audio.

In her last video, Natalie presented three tips to become a more efficient freestyler. Here, she explains the secrets behind a stronger kick.

Natalie Answers Your Questions

Have a specific question for Natalie? Visit H2O Audio's Ask Natalie page to post your question on technique, training, nutrition or whatever you'd like to ask a gold medalist swimmer. Here are two responses from the last freestyle swimming tip.

Question: Do you use a sweeping motion on your pull? On your exhale do you use just your nose or nose and mouth?

Natalie: Try not to think of specific arm movement patterns while swimming. I've always found those to be confusing. Try to make the water feel as "thick" as possible, which means that you're holding water. If the water feels "thin," you're probably slipping. Exhale with both your nose and mouth while being as relaxed (not forceful!) as possible.

Question: How do I rotate my upper body and not my hips for the freestyle stroke?

Natalie: You want to rotate your upper body and your hips. When you're doing freestyle, everything rotates as a unit from the neck down. Also, remember that your body position in the water is much like good posture on land: Your head should be facing the bottom of the pool.

Officials Training this Month!

There will be an Officials Training Thursday, Feb 19 at 6 PM at PCY.  The training is scheduled to last 4 hours and dinner (Jason's Deli) will be provided. Please email Nick Echtenkamp @ nicke.richardson@ymcadallas.org if you are interested.

Off-season information

Hello Team!

 In order to prepare for season we have some announcements for the entire team.   Please read this entire blog to get the most up to date information on the Richardson Rapids 2009 season.

 

We have an incredible board this season and I would like to thank them all in advance for the dedication to the Richardson Rapids Swim team.    We have had our first meeting of the year and are already planning some wonderful events for the summer.  Here is a list of the board members and their emails if you have the need to contact one of them.  Since it is the parents enthusiasm of this team that have always impressed me most, I expect great things from this season.   I would encourage each one of you to at least help out with one committee over the season.  Contact the chairperson directly or contact me if you need some help or guidance on which position may be suited best for you.

 

President – Kristen Falies – Kfalies@jackhenry.com

Treasurer – Laurie Plese – laurie.plese@libertyIU.com

Secretary - Sara King – King-Sara@sbcglobal.net

Historian – Michelle Hamaker - hamakerbm@aol.com

Swim Official – Bill Webb – Wwebb@kodiaknetworks.com

Meet Coordinator – Casey Heim – caseyheim@tx.rr.com

Laurie Dunlap – laurie@lauriehdunlap.com

Concessions – Luke Plese – lplese@americanrad.com

Hospitality – Sheryl Donihoo - sdonihoo@addisontx.gov

Lone Star Coordinator – Carrollee Gresham - carrollee.gresham@wnco.com

Ribbons - Casey Heim – caseyheim@tx.rr.com

Pep Rally – Paige Reno - mommyreno@yahoo.com

Ice Cream Social – Nancy Dembny - nancy.dembny@ibsa.com

New Parent Coordinator – Annette Hornbeck – ahornbeck@hotmail.com

 

YMCA Partners Campaign – Nick Echtenkamp has asked our swim team parents to assist the YMCA with their annual Partners Campaign.  This campaign raises money for our YMCA to use for scholarships to the YMCA.  This fund will benefit our swim team directly as it does help sponsor some members of our team and allows children who may not have the means to participate recognize their goals too.  There are 2 ways that a family can participate.  The first would be to make a personal donation to the campaign.  This can be done by contacting Nick atNickE@YMCADALLAS.org and making a pledge to the Partners Campaign.  The second is to have a calling party at the Y.  Nick has graciously offered us to set up the bounce house in the gym for the kids and will bring in pizza for the volunteers so that we can make a party of it all.  I would love for us to show our support to the Y and help some children that might not have the means to participate in our swim team. 

We had our 1^st calling party on Saturday night and it was a tremendous success.  We are almost to a $1000 and if we make it we will receive a banner that we can hang out by the pool thanking the Richardson Rapids swim team. 

For those of you who donated your time and did the calling….Annette Hornbeck, Laurie Plese, Sara King, and Luke Plese.  You guys rock!!!!

 

Skills clinic – As we all know, Coach Jessica is now working at the Lake Highlands YMCA.  She is currently trying to arrange several weeks where our swimmers can come to her Y and participate in skills clinics prior to the season starting. If you are interested, please send Kristen Falies an e-mail ASAP.  Your reply does not commit you to sign up, we are just trying to see how much interest we have and which age ranges would be represented.

 

Recruitment – Coach Ryan pointed out to the board that we have a big age gap in our team.  We have lots of older kids and younger ones.  As always word of mouth is the greatest recruitment tool that we have.  If you know someone who’s child would be interested in swim team, please encourage them to sign up.  

Thanks,

Kristen Falies

Banquet 8.3.08

The new banquet date is now set for:

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3RD
6:00PM DINNER
6:30PM AWARDS
ASAP POOL PARTY

This date is final...pending no hurricanes, tornadoes, or bubonic plagues!

Banquet Date Change!!

RICHARDSON RAPIDS END OF SEASON BANQUET

Come and celebrate the end of a wonderful summer of swimming with the Rapids!!!

Friday, August 1st @ the Richardson YMCA Pool
Dinner starts at 6:00pm
Awards start at 6:30pm
Pool party begins ASAP!

The main course for dinner is catered barbeque from Sonny Brian's. Please sign-up to bring a side dish or dessert.

Don't miss this fun opportunity to see all your friends for the last time and say goodbye to your coaches!! You won't want to miss the famous GREASED WATERMELON TOURNAMENT!!

- - - - - - - - - - - -

* did you notice the date is now Friday, Aug. 1 instead of Saturday, Aug. 2? HOPE SO!! Don't be that family who shows up on the wrong day...then you'll have missed all the fun!

Season Closing Newsletter

1. TEAM BANQUET has been moved to this FRIDAY NIGHT!! The Richardson YMCA is superchlorinating our pool this Saturday which will make it unsuitable to swim in all weekend. Sorry for the late notice!! Come enjoy free catered BBQ from Sonny Brian’s, get your 2008 trophy, and play the famous “Greased Watermelon” game. Parents and swimmers, bring your suits! Dinner begins @ 6pm, with awards @ 6:30, followed by a pool party until it gets dark!!
2. TEAM RECORDS. We have set an astounding 22 new team records this season. Congrats to the following for setting team records:

Sophia Falies: Girls 6&U 25 FR, Girls 6&U 50 FR, Girls 6&U 25 BK
Madison Williams: Girls 9-10 50 FR, Girls 9-10 100 FR, Girls 9-10 200 FR, Girls 9-10 50 BK, Girls 9-10 100 BK, Girls 9-10 50 FL, Girls 9-10 200 IM
Hannah Dunlap: Girls 9-10 50 BR
Ryann Heim: Girls 9-10 100 BR
Rachel Balke: Girls 15-21 100 FR, Girls 15-21 50 BK, Girls 15-21 100 BK, Girls 15-21 100 BR, Girls 15-21 200 IM
Ryan Rutoskey: Boys 13-14 100 FR, Boys 13-14 100 BK, Boys 13-14 100 IM, Boys 13-14 200 IM, Boys 13-14 400 IM

3. LONESTAR. The Richardson Rapids placed 2nd in the summer division with 1033.5 points at the 2008 YMCA State Swim Meet. Congratulations to the following for achieving high point honors in their age group: Rachel Balke (Girls 15-21 First Place), Ryan Rutoskey (Boys 13-14 Third Place), Sophia Falies (Girls 6&U Second Place).
4. LONESTAR MEDALS. If you did not get a chance to grab a Lonestar medal, they will be available at banquet. If you think your swimmer earned a medal and did not receive it, please let Coach Ryan know ASAP. Medals are awarded to top 16 finishers in individual and relay events.
5. LEVEL 4 SOCIAL. Your coaches are hosting an end-of-summer cook out/pool party for the 15 and up age group for all their incredible leadership on the team this season. It will held be at Jessica’s clubhouse pool this Saturday @ 6pm. Please call Jessica to confirm that you are coming. Directions will be provided at Banquet on Friday night.
6. MISSING TEAM SHIRT. If you misplaced a team t-shirt at Lonestar and you happen to be a Youth Large, then we have it. It will be available for you to pick up at banquet.
7. TEAM PICTURES are finally in and ready for pickup at the banquet!! If you are not planning to attend the banquet and you ordered a package/print, please e-mail Coach Ryan at ryanc@ymcadallas.org to arrange a time to pick yours up.
8. YEAR ROUND SWIMMING. If you are interested in a year round program for 2008-2009, please talk to Ryan or Jessica at Banquet. We have compiled a list of USA Swimming teams around the area with contact information and practice times/locations. If you wonder how people set team records and final at Lonestar, this is it!

2008 Team Records

Congratualations to the following for setting new team records this season:

Women 6 & Under 25 Free
1 26.84 Y F Falies, Sophia
Women 6 & Under 50 Free
1 41.59 Y F Falies, Sophia
Women 8 & Under 25 Back
1 31.69 Y F Falies, Sophia
Women 9-10 50 Free
1 34.34 Y F Williams, Madison
Women 9-10 100 Free
1 1:17.48 Y F Williams, Madison
Women 9-10 200 Free
1 2:58.15 Y F Williams, Madison
Women 9-10 50 Back
1 39.81 Y P Williams, Madison
Women 9-10 100 Back
1 1:30.04 Y P Williams, Madison
Women 9-10 50 Breast
1 49.75 Y F Dunlap, Hannah
Women 9-10 100 Breast
1 1:49.67 Y F Heim, Ryann
Women 9-10 50 Fly
1 41.59 Y F Williams, Madison
Women 9-10 200 IM
1 3:19.54 Y F Williams, Madison
Women 15-21 100 Free
1 57.08 Y F Balke, Rachel
Women 15-21 50 Back
1 29.80 Y F Balke, Rachel
Women 15-21 100 Back
1 1:03.63 Y F Balke, Rachel
Women 15-21 100 Breast
1 1:17.83 Y F Balke, Rachel
Women 15-21 200 IM
1 2:20.30 Y F Balke,Rachel
Men 13-14 100 Free
1 57.01 Y F Rutoskey, Ryan
Men 13-14 100 Back
1 1:05.46 Y F Rutoskey, Ryan
Men 13-14 100 IM
1 1:05.92 Y F Rutoskey, Ryan
Men 13-14 200 IM
1 2:20.92 Y F Rutoskey, Ryan
Men 13-14 400 IM
1 5:08.60 Y F Rutoskey, Ryan