2011 SWIM TEAM NEWS

• REGISTRATION: Ridgewood offers competitive and developmental teams for children 5 years old and up ( swimmer must be 5 as of Jan. 1, 2011). All swimmers must be able to swim one length of the pool unassisted to join the competitive or developmental team.
• We are still accepting registrations for the 2011 season.
• We now have an Online Riptide Registration Form. Please complete one form per swimmer.
• In addition to the Riptide registration form, for each swimmer, please print and complete the required CSA registration form.
• The cost is $75 per swimmer for the first two swimmers per family, and $60 for each additional swimmer.
• Please mail the CSA forms and payment to:
  Ridgewood Riptide
  c/o The Club at Ridgewood
  808 James Doak Pkwy.
  Greensboro, NC 27455
  Attn: Lucy Callahan.
• We will have new team swimsuits this year. Ordering information is available below.
• For questions about registration, please contact Jane Koenig.
   
• REFUND POLICY: A full refund of the swim team fee, less a $10 administrative fee, will be given if the head coach is notified prior to the day of the first meet (June 7). For the non-compete (developmental) group, refunds will be given if a swimmer drops out prior to the first practice of the second week of practices for the developmental group.
   
• NEW TEAM SWIMSUITS: The Riptide is getting a brand new look! Our group rate for the suits will allow you to order from Kast-a-way Swimwear for a significant discount. (Female adult $48.64; Female youth $47.36; Male adult or youth $36.00) To order with the team discount, contact Barb Prue with Kast -a-way at 800-401-5278. Or you may order online:
• Go to http://www.kastawayswimwear.com
• Click “Sign In” at the top right corner of the web page
• You must be registered with kastawayswimwear.com before you can access the Riptide Team area.
• Under the “Not Registered Yet?” heading, click the button to Create a New Account
• Complete information and click “Create Account”
• After you have created your account, click the sign in link at the top, and sign in with the e-mail address and password you just used to create your account.
• Click on the “Teams/Guard Central” button at the top of the page.
• Add a Team Affilliation for the Riptide team with User Name “RWST55” and Password “NC275RW”
• You may have to refresh the page to see your new team affiliation. Click on the link for Ridgewood Swim Team. Click on the suit you wish to purchase, and place your order (the discounted price will be displayed when you check out)
• Note: Online orders totaling $75 or more will be shipped at no charge. Online orders totaling less than $75 will have a $9.99 shipping charge.  If you place your order by phone with our Kast-a-way rep, Barb Prue, the shipping charge will only be $3.00.
• If you have any other questions please contact Gina Lucas.
   
• SUMMER TUNE-UPS: Has it been a long winter? Want a little time in the water before swim team practice starts? GSA and GCY are offering tune-up sessions open to all swimmers:
• GSA Tune-ups: April 25 through May 19 at Grimsley Pool. Sessions are Monday - Thursday from 4 - 4:30 PM. The cost is $5 per swimmer per session. Contact GSA for more information.
• GCY Tune-ups: May 2 through May 28 (except May 7 and 26) at the Bryan YMCA on Market Street. Sessions are Monday - Friday from 4:30 - 5:30 PM and Saturday from 8:30 - 9:30 AM. The cost is as follows:
  Any 10 Practices: YMCA Member: $30.00,  Non Y Member: $40.00
  Unlimited Practices: YMCA Member: $40.00  Non Y Member: $50.00
  Contact GCY for more information.
   
• STROKE CLINICS:  Offered by GSA, free of charge and open to all swimmers. Clinics are on Mondays in June at Lindley Park Pool from 6:15 - 7:00 PM. 
• June 6 - Freestyle
• June 13 - Backstroke
• June 20 - Breaststroke
• June 27 - Butterfly
• CSA TRAINING: Training is required for the volunteer positions as Stroke & Turn Judge, Starter or Referee*. These training sessions are held from 7:00-8:30 pm at the Greensboro Country Club Poolside Pavilion, 410 Sunset Drive in Greensboro.. You must attend the entire training session to be certified in these positions. It is recommended that you have at least 2 years’ experience as a Stroke and Turn Judge or Starter before becoming a Referee.
• Stroke & Turn Judge: May 10, May 16 or May 19
• Referee / Starter: May 9, May 12 or May 17
• **Meets cannot run without officials. Please consider attending a training clinic.
• For more information, see the CSA Web Site.
  
  *Currently certified USA Swimming officials are automatically certified as CSA officials for Stroke and Turn Judges, and no clinic is required.  However, CSA Referee/Starter training is still required for that position.
   
• SPONSORS: There are two ways to sponsor the Ridgewood Riptide:
• Pay $250
• Sponsor an event or item (e.g. t-shirts, dinner for a party). All sponsors will receive the following:
• Ads in our weekly newsletter
• Banner placed at the pool for home swim meets (they must supply the banner)
• Display product/service at home meets
• Distribute fliers/coupons/brochures in the crate files and/or with registration information
• Have a link placed on the Riptide Website
• For more information, please contact Cindy Snider
   
• PRACTICES AND MEETS: Practice begins May 24, Time Trials are June 4, and the first dual meet is June 7. The full practice/meet schedule will be posted on the calendar by mid-April. The schedule could change during the season, so check back often for updates. In case of inclement weather, check the Coach’s Notes to see if practice is canceled.
• After school practice (Weedays, May 24 - June 9)—10 and unders 4:15 to 5:00 and 11 and up 5:00 to 5:45
• Regular summer schedule starts on June 13th
• First non-compete practice is on June 13th
• Last practice is July 1st.
• NO practice on July 4th
   
• DUAL MEETS: For each dual meet scheduled (see calendar) we need families to do the following. Please note that all sign up sheets are located on the bulletin board next to the pro shop:
• Sign up for a volunteer position at the meet. The meets cannot run without volunteers!
• Sign up to bring food or drinks to the swim team breakfast (held after the morning practice on the day of the meet).
• If your swimmer will not swim in a meet, please sign him or her out at least two days prior to the meet.
   
• TEAM BREAKFAST & PEP RALLY: A team breakfast and pep rally will be held at the Ridgewood Clubhouse on dual meet days except the first meet immediately after morning practice. Fuel up and get pumped for the meets - Learn some team cheers, make posters, and let those other pools know that we’ve got Riptide spirit!
   
• SWIM FOR CANCER: Swimmers, please check your folder next to the pro shop for your Swim for Cancer pledge envelope. The Ridgewood swimmers will be doing their laps on Friday, June 17 in place of the regularly scheduled practice. This is the 38th year for this annual event in Greensboro. $2.4 million dollars have been raised to support cancer research since the inception of this CSA fundraiser event. Last year, Ridgewood had wonderful participation in this event! This year, let's do our best to achieve or surpass last year’s amount! Each Ridgewood swimmer can ask for a pledge per lap donation or a fixed donation from friends, family, and neighbors. I want to encourage all swimmers to do their best to raise money toward this worthy cause.
  SWIM FOR CANCER DATE: FRIDAY, JUNE 17th (Held during regular morning practice swim times).
  There will be a pancake breakfast that Friday morning. Parents, please volunteer to help on the wikispace.
  Turn in donations by June 28th. Give them to Jennifer Gillette or drop them in her folder on the deck by the bulletin board.
  Swimmers collecting $85 in donations earn an Emerald Pointe pass; $100 in donations earns a Swim for Cancer T-shirt (if you raise $100, please mark the T-shirt size on your envelope).
  Also, the top fund raiser will earn the chance to pie Coach Karen Buxton at the Pig 'n Pasta Pep Rally on June 30. Anyone else turning in a ticket will have his/her name turned in for door prizes (door prizes include the opportunity to pie the other coaches, gift cards, lessons, etc.)
  We know this is a tight turnaround on Swim for Cancer due to the short season, but please be as generous as possible. We are looking for 100% participation. Coach Karen will dress up in a purple wig and pink dress at the last meet if we reach 100%!!
   
• CSA GRASSHOPPERS NIGHT: Thursday, June 23. Please complete your order form and return to Christine Brennan (drop it in her folder on deck). Thanks for participating in this fun event and helping to keep the CSA going strong!
   
• PIG N’ PASTA PEP RALLY: The Riptide will kick off the City Meet on Thursday, June 30, 6-9 pm; bring your Hawaiian gear and have swimmers wear their team shirts for a team picture. We’ll supply the BBQ - you bring the pasta.  Sign up on the Wikispace to bring a side dish or dessert, or to help with this event. Parents be sure to wear your swim suits for the family swimming relay. 
   
• END OF SEASON PARTY and AWARDS: July 13, 6 - 9 PM.
   
• Keep checking back for more details...