Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:18:08 GMT <![CDATA[Birkdale Barracudas News]]> Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:18:08 GMT Official swim practice begins on Monday, May 17th.  All practices will be held at our regular location, the Birkdale Clubhouse Pool. 
 
The schedule is as follows:
11 and up:   5:00 - 6:00pm
8,9, 10:        6:00 - 6:45pm
5,6, 7          6:45 - 7:15pm
 
Please refer to Coach Holly's email from 5/11 for additional details regarding practices.  Thank you!!!
]]> <![CDATA[Swim Practice Times]]> Fri, 21 May 2010 07:46:59 GMT Hello Parents,

 
First week has gone well. The kids are excited and believe it or not the water is much warmer than the last four years.  I would like the kids to start bringing water bottles. I know that sounds funny because they are in water but they are exercising and they need to drink while they are swimming.  I told them it was not your responsibility to remember but theirs.  You could be a backup reminder. It is hot and they could use a water bottle or Gatorade or Powerade. Not soft drinks, lemonade or Juice.
 
Also the older kids (5 to 6 PM) will be doing some stretching and some running for 15 minutes of each practice. They need tennis shoes. If they forget they will be with a coach and swimming. They will have responsibility for their own tennis shoes and water bottle. I am proud of how hard they are all working. Getting back in the water is tough. They are great kids. I am very blessed to be a part of their lives. Thank you.
 
Now the times slot of 6:45 to 7:15 PM.  These kids are working hard. With so many kids at this time we are not getting thru one lap. I am opening  the time this Friday May 21, 2010 at 6:00 to 7:00 PM for those kids only.  I need more time with my other coaches in the water. They are excited and have to wait on each child to swim. So any NEW KIDS to the TEAM and the little kids are to come 6:00 to 7:00 PM.  Sorry to those who want to come. I only have so much time that night and coaches. You will have plenty of time next week weather permitting. Thanks to all those parents for understanding the lane space and my coaches time.
 
Have a great weekend.
 
Coach Holly Merritt
]]> <![CDATA[Message from Coach Holly]]> Fri, 21 May 2010 07:46:59 GMT Hello Barracudas!!!
 
It's hard to believe that it is that time of year again!!  Time for registration for the Birkdale Barracudas!!  Registration is scheduled to take place this weekend, Sunday, April 25th from 3:00 - 5:00pm at the clubhouse.  The Registration Form can be printed from the website www.birkdalebarracudas.com.  Please fill this form out and bring it to the clubhouse.  We hope to see you there!!
 
In addition to registration, we wanted to make you aware of a couple of additional items regarding swim team and the beginning of the 2010 season.  
 
*There will be new Birkdale Barracuda merchandise available for order during registration.  This merchandise includes tshirts, fan packs, towels, etc.
*Our Kick Off Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, May 23rd.  If you are interested, we will be taking pre-paid orders for boxed lunches from Jason's Deli. 
*As many of you know, our volunteers are one of our most important assets during the summer swim season.  Without our parents, these meets would not operate.  It is a challenge each year to secure adequate numbers of volunteers for each meet.  The board has decided to make a slight adjustment to the volunteer policy.  Beginning with this season, we will be collecting a $25.00 Volunteer Fee with your registration.  If your family fulfills its volunteer commitment, then the Volunteer Fee will be returned to you at the end of the season. 
*Volunteers sign ups will be available during registration.
 
We hope this information is helpful as we get ready for the summer season 2010!  On behalf of Coach Holly and the Swim Team Board, we look forward to seeing you on Sunday.  Go Barracudas!!!
]]> <![CDATA[Welcome to the 2010 Swim Season]]> Fri, 23 Apr 2010 07:25:10 GMT Hello to all of last year’s swimmers!  I hope everyone is looking forward to another exciting swim season for the Birkdale Barracudas!
Coach Holly is once again our super coach!  She and the Swim Team Board have been busy preparing for a great season.  We have a new board this year and I want to take some time to introduce the new board.  
 
President  - April Agosto,  Vice President - Kim Christman,  Treasurer -  Beverly Lesseur,
Volunteers - Kristene Monroe, Communications - Michele Kocher, Computer - Robin Carey                         

 

April 25th   3:00 – 5:00 pm    Swim Team Sign ups                 

May 1st   7:00 – 11:00 am   Neighborhood Yard Sale -  Fundraiser for Swim Team 

May 12th & 13th 6:00 – 7:00 pm    New Swimmer Orientation @ Fitcare

May 17th  TBD      1st Swim Practice

 May 18th 5:00 – 7:15 pm   Swimsuit fitting and exchange - MAC Swim Store will be here   Bring old suits you want to sell

 May 23rd 4:00 – 6:00 pm    Swim Season Kick-off Picnic - Parent Meeting during picnic

June 5th  9:00 – 11:00 am  Mock Swim Meet - Team Photos will be taken at 9:00

]]> <![CDATA[Important 2010 Info]]> Fri, 23 Apr 2010 07:25:10 GMT  

Meet Schedule

June 14th            6:00            Home Meet vs. Leacroft

June 17th            6:00            Meet @ Wedgewood

June 21st            6:00            Meet @ MacAulay

June 24th            6:00            Home Meet vs. Latta Springs/Stephens Grove

 June 28th            6:00            Meet @ Wynfield Forest

July 10th            9:00            Championships at HFFA

 July 11th            6:00            Banquet

 

]]> <![CDATA[Meet Schedule]]> Fri, 23 Apr 2010 07:25:10 GMT Championships Checklist for Parents

  • Know your kids events before you come to the pool. Either written on the kids or on paper. They have been emailed to you and are on the website
  • All kids need their first and last name written on their left shoulders
  • There is a new parking lot on the far side of the pool, this is where we are supposed to park. There will be people directing traffic. We are allowed in the building at 2:00pm, you can be in the parking lot earlier.
  • Overflow parking  - If you park on the side of the road, you must be facing the same way as traffic & all four tires have to off the road or you will get a ticket.  You may also park at the old Juvenile Detention
    Center, Pal-A-Roos or CPCC, but not HAP
  • Be at the pool by 1:45pm to allow time for parking and bringing you stuff in. Warm ups are from 2:05 – 2:20 only, lanes 1-4.
  • Volunteers please sign in at our table in the hospitality room by the first side entrance. You will receive a sticker name tag with your name, your job and the time you are working. Even if you are working later please sign early & get your tags so we know you are here. Only the first shift of workers will get paper work that will be passed onto the next shifts.
  • Swimmers also need to sign-in in the hospitality room .
  • It will be hot and stuffy inside the building, dress appropriately.
  • No recreational swimming allowed in the diving area or in the splash park. Please do not let your kids go outside to the splash park.
  • No glass allowed inside the aquatic center and no alcohol.
  • You may bring coolers, drinks, food, chairs, etc. The kids may want to bring cards, books, gameboys (up to you) to keep them occupied in between races.   Remind kids to be on their best behavior and show good sportsmanship and team spirit.
  • Tthe snack bar will close at 6:00.
  • Bring extra towels for the kids to sit on and dry off with, at least one, maybe two.
  • Kids sit together in the designated team area back by the diving boards
  • Shoes must be worn outside of the pool area, kids need to be very careful around the heavy doors, people on the other side cannot see them and can have the door hit them or their toes caught in the door. 
  • Pack snacks and drinks for the kids to keep with them in the team area.
  • Once Again! Make sure everything you bring has your name on it
  • If for some reason your child has to leave early and they still have events left, please notify Holly.
  • Last but not least help clean up the area around you before you leave, make sure nothing is left behind.
  •  Please place your chairs only in designated areas and allow a walkway between the last row of chairs and the bleachers. The Birkdale kids are assigned the last section of bleachers back by the child gathering area (by the diving platforms), the bleachers will be pulled out for them to sit on, or we do have a small section for some chairs. Our kids will be lining up behind the diving training area before being seated for the clerk of course, please remind your kids that they are not to sit or climb on any of this equipment. The meet is schedule for 6 hours , it could be shorter or longer. Please prepare your children with enough towels, drinks, snack and things to keep them occupied in between races. Please try to keep them in the team area, especially when it is close to the gathering time for their next event. Our big pole with the gathering numbers will be down near the diving boards, make sure your children know where it is before the meet.
]]> <![CDATA[Championship Checklist]]> Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:19:52 GMT Practice this Friday evening at Huntersville Family Fitness and Aquatic:   Coach Holly has reserved four lanes from 6pm  to 7pm on Friday.   10 and under from 6 to 6:30 and 11 and up 6:30 to 7.00pm.  Sara and Amber will be there.  (Coach Holly will not be in attendance). 

]]> <![CDATA[Practice at the Aquatic Center Friday Night]]> Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:16:41 GMT The banquet starts at 6pm Sunday night at the Birkdale pool.  Outback will be serving food beginning around 6.  Please bring chairs and beverages for your family.  No glass is permitted on the pool deck.

The pool will be open to the swim team for swimming so bring suits and towels also. 

We have had rain in years past so it would be great to bring a tent if the weather looks threatening.  We cannot all squeeze in the clubhouse in the event of bad weather.

Typically, we eat and then begin the awards.

If you did not order Outback, please feel free to bring dinner for your family.  We will be serving cake for everyone.  Make sure you peek at the cakes as you pass through the food line- Paula Dukes does an awesome job and your kids will enjoy seeing their photos on the cake!

See you Sunday!]]> <![CDATA[Banquet Update]]> Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:16:41 GMT As a reminder since our last 2 meets are not at our own pool this is more important than before. 

Anything that  you take to the meets should be labeled with at least your last name, kids first names and possibly Birkdale if it is not recognizable as so, this includes:

 bathing suits, t-shirts, goggles, caps, shoes, flip flops, flippers, pool bags, towels, chairs, coolers and anything the kids bring to entertain themselves. 

Every year there is a pile of stuff left in "our section" and if labeled generally make it back to the owners. 

]]> <![CDATA[Label All of Your Things]]> Sun, 05 Jul 2009 06:46:54 GMT Team Picture Tuesday July 7th  at the Birkdale Pool. Kids please arrive between 5:30 and 5:45  to be placed in your spot for the picture.  Picture taking should be finished by 6:00, in time for 6:00 practice.  Swimmers please wear your Barracudas Bathing suit and stay dry and out of the water until after the picture.  We know that everyone will not make the picture as this happens every year, we are sorry if your kids miss out.

]]> <![CDATA[Team Pictures]]> Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:05:10 GMT