COACHES CORNER
DYNAMO SWIM SCHOOL is growing fast and this season we have over 30 new members in all the groups. The most improved swimmers for September and October in the I Can Swim Group are: Connor Yiu and Idin Sahely at Bonsor Pool; Sara Patterson and James Hughes at CG Brown Pool. For the I Can Swim Fast group, the most improved swimmers are, Matthew Ching and Samuel Lukas. For the Regional Group, the Swimmer of the Month are Erin Patterson and Aivery McKinley at CG Brown and Brian Chiu and Nathan Lai at Bonsor. For the Provincial Group the SOM are Jike Gao (Bonsor) and Alexander Vranjes (CG Brown). CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU! The first MINI MEET of the season is going to be at CG Brown on October 28th, 2011 from 3:30-5:00pm.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
Lidia Menzies, Director of Swimming
BOARD CORNER
The new season had a great start with lots of new swimmers registering for this season in DYNAMO SWIM SCHOOL and DYNAMO SWIM CLUB. We are very exited and welcome all the new members to our swim club and swim school. For every referral of friends or family you bring to the pool who register you can receive $25.00. We are looking for volunteers to learn how to be officials and help with the administration of the club. Please call Steve Menzies to register for the clinics at 778-889-2139.
This year the Dynamo AGM is going to be at the Bonsor Community Center, Metrotown on Saturday, October 29th from 5:30-7:30pm. Please e-mail or mail your nominations for the positions of Treasurer, Member at Large –Fundraising, and Equipment Manager. The agenda is below.
Steve Menzies, President
AGM AGENDA
Call to order at 5:30-6.30PM
PRESIDENT’S REPORT-STEVE MENZIES
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT-LAURA CAMERON
SECRETARY’S REPORT- RIZWANA CHAUDHRY
DIRECTOR OF SWIMMING’S REPORT-LIDIA MENZIES
Election of: Treasurer, Director at Large – Fundraising, Equipment Manager.
PLEASE MAIL OR E-MAIL YOUR NOMINATIONS FOR THESE POSITIONS ON THE BOARD BEFORE THE AGM AT: lidia@shaw.ca A volunteering working position in the club will help refund you the fundraising fees and save you on your fees. Please e-mail the club for a copy of the club book. After the AGM we are going to have the AWARDS FOR 2010-2011 season, and the POTLUCK DINNER.
If your name starts with A- F bring an entrée.
If your name starts with G-N bring main dish.
If your name starts with O-Z bring desert.
Bring your favorite drink.
COACHES REPORT
Regional & Provincial Groups
Mid-September is the start of a new season. It is always tough for swimmers to be back in the water at this time after taking a month off training. The signs of rustiness and sloppiness were present in the first few practices. For these last two weeks the Provincial Group has been focussing on aerobic training and getting back to shape. These practices in particular are always going to be tough. Last season, swimmers lacked the fitness to maintain high performance and consistency throughout main sets. The goal for the month was to produce intensity in aerobic training, followed by a much tougher dry land regime. It was never going to be easy, but the swimmers responded very well; particularly to the dry land workouts. The power and strength is still there, but fitness will be key for the swimmers to get back into shape and perform at a high level on a consistent basis.
This month we welcome two new swimmers, Mara and Maria, to our Regional Group.
Jake: Jake had a couple of good workouts getting back into the water. He has been working very hard to get his fitness levels up. Jake is more disciplined with his approach and had a few fantastic workouts. He is able to negative split and finish fast when asked to do so. Jake has gotten stronger physically, responding well to the group’s new dry land and strength conditioning regime.
Marshia: Marshia had a good month back to swimming. She has been doing very well in the water and keeping up with Jake during practices. Huge improvements have been made from last season. We worked on correcting the backstroke and the breast stroke. So far it has been a work in progress as Marshia only came for a few workouts during the first two weeks. Marshia works really hard during practices, which shows as I see signs of fatigue from her during dry land after practices.
Erin: After a month long break, Erin looks refreshed and ready to go for the new season. We already had a difficult practice second day back into practice. Even though her speed and endurance were not top notch, Erin worked very hard to put in a big effort to swim hard and get through the practice. At this stage, the times are not a priority. Putting in strong practices and working hard to get the fitness levels back up was her focus during the first few weeks. She responded very well with her strong work ethic.
Mara: Mara is one of the new swimmers introduced to our group. For a young swimmer, she excels in one of the most difficult strokes, the breast stroke. I was really impressed with what I saw and I hope to work more on correcting the techniques on the breast stroke, pull and kick. We have been working on getting the underwater pullouts correctly and doing them on a consistent basis. Mara has responded well to these challenges. She also impressed me during dry land. She is able to keep up very well despite her young age.
Maria: Maria is our other new swimmer introduced to the group. Maria is a strong competitor; always wanting to get in front and pass the swimmers in front of her. She has strong determination and motivation to swim fast all the time. Maria shows quick recovery between sets; always eager to get ahead and start the next set. Her passion and energy helps lift the group up during difficult practices.
Helena: Helena did well in the water after coming back from a month and a half break. We worked on getting the breast stroke underwater, pullout, and also butterfly. Helena is a little shy and timid, but needs to show more belief in herself, as she is really good a swimmer. Helena has great work ethic and once she corrects her stroke, she will see vast improvements.
Mitra: Mitra has been really great in the water for the past two weeks. Our goal this year is to improve her techniques on all four strokes and to get to up to the same level as Provincial Groups. Also we are trying to aim for AA or AAA time standards for competitions.
Zoe: Zoe did well in the water after a month long break from swimming. This year we are trying to further improve her techniques in both diving and turns as she requires more practice in those area. Also, we are trying to get her back up to the level of Provincials so that we can have a girl’s relay team in all types of competitions. I am sure she will achieve AA or AAA time standard if she keeps up the good work.
Ernest Lai & Michael Lai, Assistant Coaches
I Can Swim and I Can Swim Fast Groups
Sara: Sara’s freestyle has improved greatly. She can now swim longer distances without having to stop. She is also learning how to breathe to the side in freestyle and she’s doing a great job!
Crystal: Crystal’s freestyle has improved and her technique is much better. She is also improving her freestyle flip turns. She has improved very much from the beginning!
Hannah: Hannah’s freestyle technique has improved, but we will be working on how to do flip turns and breathe on the side, by turning on the back. She’s doing a great job!
Nathan: Nathan’s freestyle and turns are better. He has to remember to count when doing the backstroke turn. Otherwise good job!
Eric: Eric has nice turns and freestyle. His backstroke turns are very good. He has to remember to count his lanes when he swims. Keep up the good work!
Sean: Sean’s better at freestyle and backstroke. Also freestyle turns. He has to remember to lift his tummy while swimming backstroke and kick faster. He also has to pay attention to the feedback from the coaches and work on his technique. Good job!
Connor and Calin: These two have really improved their endurance. They have also learned proper breathing patterns for 1,2,3 breathe with a kickboard.
Aiden: Aiden is a fast swimmer for his age and learns quickly. He does well to keep up with the older kids.
Adrian, Hanna and Marko: The three have just began swimming with the club. I’ve been focusing on improving their kicking endurance,lung capacity, and speed with a lot of kicking races and games. This helps them stay focused and involved.
Alicia Tachaicun & Marybel Menzies, Assistant Coaches
OFFICIALS CLINICS – OCTOBER 25TH, 2011
‘Centennial’ Community and Fitness Centre
65 – Sixth Ave E., New Westminster
(next to ‘Canada Games’ Pool).
Starts: 7:30 pm (1½ to 2 hrs. long)
CLINICS OFFERED
• Level 1 – Timekeeper
• Chief Timekeeper
• Stroke and Turn Judge
• Electronics/Chief Finish Judge
• Clerk of Course
• Meet Manager
• Starter
• Referee (attendees must be approved by a RoD)
7 REASONS WHY PARENTS SHOULD ATTEND.
1. Swim meets are run by volunteers; we need you.
2. Meet new friends both at the clinic and helping at meets.
3. Get free food and beverages just for helping at meets.
4. The time passes a lot faster and more pleasantly when you are helping.
5. Learn more for your own interest; for example, understanding more of what is involved in your child’s swimming can only help your relationship with them.
6. Learn more to help your child (i.e., why they might be DQ’d).
7. If you have previously taken clinics, learn something new or take a refresher (rules do change).
For more information, or to register, contact your Club Officials director.
