Welcome to Kanawha’s Aquatics 2008!
Teams are ramping up for a great season with new challenges, new faces, a new team mascot, and as always, loads of fun! Last summer, we held a “name-the-team” contest. After careful balloting and a vote by the Board of Directors, we are pleased to introduce the KRA Firefish as our official team mascot. Go Firefish!!! (Thank to team parent and graphic designer Wendy Daniels for designing our new logo.)
Our swimming and diving teams are a great way to meet new people, improve your strokes and form, and, most importantly, HAVE FUN IN THE POOL!
Kanawha is part of the James River Aquatic Club (JRAC), an association of nineteen area pools. This year, the Swim Team will compete in the Red (middle) division.
Head Coach - Chris Young - Contact Information
We are so lucky to welcome back Head Coach Chris Young again this year. If you should need to contact him for questions or with information about a swimmer's attendence at a meet - he can be reached at:
chyoung@davidson.edu or at kraswim@comcast.net or
Cell phone: 467-4316
You can also contact KRA swim rep. board member Beth Stephens at:
bfstephens@comcast.net
Swim Team Practice Schedule
Practices are divided up by age group for the best stroke lessons. Ages are determined as of June 1. During regular season, there are morning practices (preferred) and evening practices (to work around camp and vacation schedules).
Preseason Practices: Monday May 19 – June 12
The first 15 minutes of each practice will be on the pool deck for warm-ups and coaches meeting.
Mites (8 yrs old and younger) 4:00–4:45 pm
Midgets (9 to 10 year olds) 4:30–5:30 pm
Juniors, Intermediate, Seniors (11 yr old and up) 5:15–6:30 pm
NOTE: There will not be practice on Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day), or Friday, June 13 (School’s Out Party).
Regular Season Practices: Monday June 16 – Wednesday July 23
Throughout the season, practices are Monday through Friday, with no morning practice the Tuesday after a meet. Intermediates and Seniors are requested to come 15 minutes early to mentor the Mites.
Morning Practices:
8:45–9:45 am 9–10 yr olds (Midgets)
9:45–10:30 am 6–8 yr olds (Mites)
10:15–11:45 am 11–12 yr olds (Juniors)
13 and up (Intermediates & Seniors)
Evening Practices:
4:45–5:45 pm Mites and Midgets
5:45–6:45 pm Juniors, Intermediates, Seniors
NOTE: There is no practice on July 4.
Swim Team Meet Schedule
Okay, so we didn’t win a lot of meets last year, but that means we will be a juggernaut in the Red Division this season! Here is our meet schedule. And remember: We need all of our swimmers to win meets. Save your camps for after Champs.
Meet Schedule(All meets begin at 6:30 pm unless noted)
Sunday, June 8 Ridge Top @ KRA at 2:00 pm Monday,
Monday, June 16 KRA @ Three ChoptMonday,
Monday, June 23 Lakeside @ KRA
Monday, June 30 KRA @ Walton Park
Monday,July 7 KRA @ Woodmont
Monday, July 14 Three Chopt @ KRA
Thur/Fri, July 24 & 25 JRAC Swim Championships, for swimmers who qualify.
Swim and Dive Important Dates
May 19 Swim practice begins (schedule below); on-site registration continues 5/19–5/30
May 29 Dive practice begins (schedule below); on-site registration continues 5/27–5/30
June 6 Mock swim meet at regular practice
June 8 First swim meet (full schedule below)
July 9 Water Country evening field trip with Coaches, 5:00–10:00 pm
July 11 Swim Cupcake meet
July 14 Last swim meet
TBD Awards Banquets
July 23 Swim Team Pep Rally, time to be announced
July 24 & 25 JRAC Swim Championship Meet In addition, both swim and dive will be putting together various social events throughout the season.
Here are tentative schedules:
Swim Team Socials
June 17 Midgets Putt-Putt Night
June 19 Mites Movie Night
June 24 Ice Cream Social with Dive Team—all age groups
July 2 Juniors Bowling Night (moved to Tuesday to avoid Fourth of July weekend)
July 9 Water Country Night—all age groups with Swim Coaches
July 17 Intermediate/Seniors Party—location to be announced Dive Team Socials
June 18 Pizza PartyJune 24
Ice Cream Social with Swim Team—all age groups
Pre-team
If you have a young swimmer (8 or under) not quite ready for competition, sign him or her up for the Pre-team! This team is designed for “swimmers-in-training”. The coaching staff will be working with this group to learn the four basic strokes used on Swim Team. Swimmers MUST be able to swim the length of the pool (it doesn’t have to be pretty!).
Pre-team registration is Monday, June 16 at 12:00 pm at the lap pool pavilion. There will be a brief meeting with the parents, and the kids will be asked to swim the length of the pool to help the coaches with grouping. Swimmers may move up to the Swim Team if the coaches feel they are ready.
Pre-team practices will be held Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays, beginning June 18 from 11:45 am–12:45 pm.
A “Cupcake Meet” will be held on Friday, July 11, to acclimate these swimmers to a real meet. More information will be posted on the bulletin boards after the pool opens.
Swim Reps
Dona Lawson 673-6738
Beth Stephens 285-6323
Betsy Ward 282-0070
