SWIMOBX

Change in Practice Schedule

Please find below a revised practice schedule for all practice groups. The schedule change is necessary due to the large number of swimmers that registered this season and the YMCA’s pool schedule.

In order to best serve the swimmers on our team and keep the swimmer/coach ratio as well as the swimmer/lane ratio in line, we need to use more pool lanes during practice time. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please call if you have any questions or need further explanation.

Practice Schedule:
Developmental: 3:15-4:15 M, T, TH
Junior Prep: 3:15-4:15 M, T, TH
Junior: 4:15-6:00 M, T, TH
Junior Elite: 4:15-6:00 M, T, TH + 1 senior practice weekly
Senior: M, T, TH 6:00-8:00 & W, F 4:00-6:00

Contacts:
Head Coach, Laura Smith (252)441-2543
Registration, Lori Roach (252) 255-1617

Weekly News / by Coach Laura

Dear Swimmers and Parents,

Congratulations to all new members of the OBX Sharks and welcome back to all returning swimmers! It was great to meet so many new swimmers and supportive parents. I have been involved in the sport of swimming most of my life, either as participant, teacher, or coach. When I competed, it taught me about more than being a champion. It gave me ability and confidence in many situations later in life.

It is important that you have fun. Swimming is both an individual and a team competitive sport. You will meet new friends from our team as well as others. You will begin to improve your times and move easier through the water as your stroke technique improves. Although not everyone can finish first, swimming will help you develop personal discipline and a strong body.

Some parents have expressed concern over the meet schedule: These meets are not for the entire team. Some are only for new, inexperienced swimmers and others are for those who qualify by time requirement. As a coach, I expect swimmers to compete at least once a month. USA time standards ( I will explain what these are at the parent meeting) will dictate what meet your child can swim in.

I know that for many of you, swimming is a new sport or a sport that has changed since you were a participant. Please come to the Parent Meeting on Wednesday, September 15th / 6:00 PM@ the YMCA so I can answer questions and give you more information.

Please feel free to contact me. My office hours are from 10:00 AM-12:00PM. I may be reached at home at 252-441-2543, at work 252-480-0683, or my mobile number is 252-599-1554. I will be happy to talk or meet with you during these hours. My email address is swimcoachlaura@yahoo.com. If you are unavailable during these hours other arrangements can be made. Please do not try to meet with me during swim team practice. It distracts me, the other coaches, and most of all the swimmers.

I am excited about the upcoming swimming season. I am looking forward to having more relays this year and everyone becoming friends in all age groups. Parents, too!!!!

See you soon!
Coach Laura

Meet Calendar has been updated

An updated meet calendar has been posted. It seems that quite a few of the Virginia teams would like to travel to the Outer Banks for a meet! You can download a copy here. The team handbook has also been updated - all parents will receive a copy at registration or you can download a copy from the Team Information section of our web site. We look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday from 5-6 or Thursday from 7-8 for registration.

Hello to all new and returning swimmers!

I hope everyone had a good first day of school and is looking forward to getting back in the water soon. I know I am anxious to see everyone and catch up.

Please remember to come to the YMCA on our registration dates to fill out paper work (you can download the forms and fill them out in advance) and order apparel/buy team t-shirts. We are in the process of finding a company who will make our new suits, warm-ups, and caps all in our new team colors- light blue and black!

JUNIOR, JUNIOR ELITE, SENIOR GROUPS-GOAL SETTING DATES HAVE BEEN SET. YOU MAY SIGN UP AT REGISTRATION OR E-MAIL ME AFTER CHECKING THE TIMES BELOW: Please make 3 time choices (1, 2, 3). I will try to meet with you during your first choice, but it may be unavailable. Each goal setting meeting should last for 15 minutes.

Who: All swimmers in the Junior, Junior Elite, and Senior Groups. Please come to registration or call/email me if you are unsure of your group placement.

Where: Outer Banks Hospital, Outer Banks Surgery, Suite 120 (in back of hospital, opposite end of wing from Health East)

When: 15 minute segments
Wednesday, September 1 from 3:00 to 6:00
Thursday, September 2 from 3:00 to 6:00

See you soon,
Coach Laura
swimcoachlaura@yahoo.com
252-441-2543

High School Prep Program

7-week program preceding the high school swim season. Program enables high school swimmers, who plan to participate on the high school team, to better prepare for the upcoming season. Focus will be on refining stroke, start & turn technique while building endurance. Participants will practice 4 days per week (Monday-Thursday) for one hour.

Start Date: Tuesday, September 7th
End Date: Thursday, October 28th.
Practice Schedule: M T TH 5:45-6:45, W 4:00-5:00

Registration form can be downloaded here.

Summer Swim League Championship Meet Results

Swimmers from Duck Woods Country Club, Colington Harbour, and the YMCA competed in the Outer Banks Summer Swim League Championship Meet that was hosted by the Outer Banks Family YMCA on Monday, July 26th. Special thanks to Cap’t Party, Kill Devil’s Frozen Custard & Beach Fries, Mama Kwan’s Grill & Tiki Bar, and Tropical Smoothie Café for their generous donations of prizes for the swimmers. Individual results are available here. Photo – Erin Hunt prepares to swim for the YMCA Waves at the Outer Banks Summer Swim League Championship Meet held on July 26th.

The Olympics are right around the corner

The Olympics start on August 14th and there are 7 days of swimming on NBC. You can download the schedule here thanks to the NBC Olympics site.

You can also go here to see the NBC website that lists events and results.