Hello Canterbury Swim Team!

I am more than happy to announce that I have been asked to return for one final season as Canterbury’s head coach. While the last 3 years as a coach have each been very different, each summer I learned valuable lessons about swimming, leadership, and life in general. For me, swimming has always been an opportunity to work hard, push myself out of my comfort zone, and try new things all while having fun. This summer I want to provide that same experience to every swimmer, regardless of age and swimming experience. I want every swimmer to have fun at every practice and every meet. On top of that, I want every swimmer to step out of their comfort zone, try new things, and at the end of the season be more confident in themselves and their own abilities. Before the first practice starts on May 23^rd, I have a few announcements.

Practice Times

The practice schedule can be found on the swimtopia website here.

Age Group Goals

To emphasize and encourage personal growth among our swimmers this year I am implementing goals for each age group. Hopefully by the end of the season, every single one of our swimmers can accomplish the goal for their age group. For some of our more experienced swimmers these goals may be easy; however, for our new swimmers these will be a challenge. But I know with a summer of hard work this is attainable for each and every swimmer.

6 and under Crocs: Attempt both the 25 freestyle and 25 backstroke

7 and 8 year old Crocs: Attempt the 50 freestyle

9 and 10 year old Crocs: Attempt a 50 butterfly or 50 breaststroke

11 and 12 year old Crocs: Attempt the 100 IM

13 and 14 year old Crocs: Attempt the 100 breaststroke or 100 backstroke

15 and older Crocs: Attempt the 100 butterfly

Evaluation Day

Evaluation day for our new canterbury crocs will be on Thursday, June 2^nd, during practice time. Each swimmer will have to swim a lap of freestyle or backstroke completely unassisted. Swimmers who are unable to do so will be recommended for hatchlings, our lessons program specifically designed to prepare swimmers for the swim team. As soon as a swimmer passes the “stroke” level of hatchings they will be allowed to join the team and swim in any remaining meets. These standards are in place to ensure the safety of our swimmers in practice and to allow the coaches to focus on improving technique instead of the basic swimming skills taught in hatchlings.

Calendar and Meet RSVPs

A calendar is already up on the swimtopia website (linked here). We have lots of social events planned and more already in the works. All the swim meet RSVPs are open on Swimtopia. If you already know you will or will not be attending a swim meet, please RSVP. RSVPs will close the FRIDAY before a swim meet. After that, you will have to email me directly to get added to the meet which may impact your swimmer’s ability to swim in relays and certain events.

Meet the Coaches

Meet the coaches day will take place on Sunday the 22^nd from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm, the day before the first practice. We will have ice cream treats for the swimmers! I hope to see everyone there. Also, check out the coach’s fun fact sheet attached to this email and on the website if you can’t make it.

Dunk Hunger Volunteer

As many of you know, Canterbury has had a longstanding tradition of giving back to the community by raising money for the Central Virginia Foodbank under its Dunk Hunger program. I am looking for an older swimmer who would be interested in running the dunk hunger program this summer. You will get community service hours for this volunteer opportunity. If you are interested, please email me directly.

Rained-Out

This year we will be using rained out again to notify families and swimmers of any last minute practice changes (such as cancellation due to weather) and any last minute meet updates. We strongly encourage all parents, guardians, and swimmers with phones to register. There are three different ways to register for rained out listed below.

1. Text CANTERBURY to 84483. You will receive an automated confirmation in return; OR

2. Go to https://www.rainedout.net/team_page.php?a=f9af6c3a9fd8cd4155c9 and follow the instructions; OR

3. Go to www.RainedOut.com and search for Canterbury Swim Team. Follow the instructions to sign up.

I truly am excited for this upcoming swimming season and I hope everyone else is as well. I promise to do everything within my ability to have a safe and fun swim team experience! Please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] with any questions, concerns, or ideas to enhance the Canterbury swim team experience for the swimmers. I will happily welcome any feedback to make this season as positive as possible for our swimmers.

Go Crocs!

Very Respectfully,
Coach Zach