Amazon.com Fundraising

We’ve joined forces with Amazon for an easy fundraiser.  At the top of the BKYS team page and on our blog you will see an Amazon.com banner.  If you are planning to purchase from Amazon, all you need to do is click to them from our website and BKYS will receive a percentage rebate of your purchases.  The more that our members purchase by clicking from us, the greater the percentage of rebate.

Your Amazon account information is secure and remains the same, you still get to use your Amazon Prime membership, and you still get any other rewards that you would normally receive from them. 

Click from BKYS, log in as you normally would, and make your purchase.  That’s it.  If you’re a Kindle user, you will need to make your purchases by this method for us to receive credit (you can’t shop from your Kindle – sorry, Jim).

Look for more information soon that lets you know what percentage of rebate specific items earn.  ALL items count toward the total rebate (including gift cards).

It’s an easy way to support the team so shop.  A lot.  And ask your friends and relatives to click through us too so they can help too!

Goal Setting Meetings

We would like to meet with each of you to hear your thoughts and goals for the summer season and determine how we can help you achieve those goals.  Rather than a random cattle cull, we are asking that you sign up for a time-slot during practice.
We have arranged this so that you have the option of having your parents sit in on your meeting so they are aware of your goals.  We ask that, if your parents attend the meeting, that they be observers and not participants.  These are your goals.  We are reserving time at the end of your meeting to talk with your parents so they will have an opportunity to ask their questions.  The first 10 minutes of the time-slot is YOURS.  The second 10 minutes is theirs.  This is not to minimize the role your parents play in your activities; rather, this is an opportunity for you to be responsible for setting your goals and helping us determine how we can best get you there.
Please remember that you are always welcome to discuss things with us before or after any practice.  You don’t need a meeting to ask questions or get help.  We would just like to have a specific time with a specific purpose.
Please consult with your parents and use the link below to select a time for your individual meeting.

NPR.org - Shes 100 Almost And Still Swimming: Another Centenarian To Admire

She's 100 (Almost) And Still Swimming: Another Centenarian To Admire

by MARK MEMMOTT

We have a fondness for stories about centenarians, we have to admit.

There was Fauja Singh, the 100-year-old "Turbaned Tornado,"who finished the Toronto Marathon last year.

And we've posted about Tennessee's Evelyn "Mama Bird" Johnson, who died last week at the age of 102. She held the Guinness world record for most hours logged by a female pilot.

U.S. Masters Swimming

Marie Kelleher.

Now we're hearing about Marie Kelleher in Virginia, who at the age of 99 is still setting swimming age-group records. Counted as being 100 because United States Masters Swimming rules "use the swimmer's age as of December 31 for competitions held in 25-meter courses," according to Virginia Masters Swimming, she just became "the oldest known American woman to have competed at a USMS-recognized meet."

The Richmond Times-Dispatch says that "Kelleher swims four days a week, usually logging about 10 laps per session. She arrives at the Tuckahoe YMCA at 5 a.m. on her swimming days, driving herself 9 miles from her home to arrive exactly when the Y opens."

"I need the swimming," she told the newspaper, with a grin. "I'm not much at walking anymore. ... I told somebody recently that I staggered when I walk. He said that didn't sound too good. So let's just say I wobble."

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR YOUNGSTER WANTS TO QUIT

from USA Swimming
What are the causes of dropping out of youth sports? In general, the reasons fall into two categories. The first category involves a shift in interests, especially in adolescents. Other involvements, such as a job, a boyfriend or girlfriend, or recreational pursuits, may leave little time for sport involvement. In such cases, a youngster may simply choose to set other priorities.
The second general set of reasons why youngsters drop out re¬late to negative sports experiences. Research conducted in the United States and Canada has shown that the following reasons often underlie a decision to drop out:

• Not getting to play
• Undesirable, abusive coaching practices
• An overemphasis on winning that creates stress and reduces fun
• Over-organization, excessive repetition, and regimentation leading to boredom
• Excessive fear of failure, including frustration or failure to achieve personal or team goals
• Mismatching relative to physical size and maturation

If the youngster has decided that other activities are more important, his or her priorities should be respected. However, it is wise to provide a reminder that a commitment has been made

Southern California Meet

(Better known as SuperMex Meet)

One of the meets under consideration for the 2012-13 season is the Southern California Armada Senior Meet (La Mirada, CA).  The meet dates will not be set until early June so we should know mid-June if we will be able to attend this meet based on how the dates fall with Spring Break and testing in our local schools.

This meet is prelims/finals in Long Course format over a Friday, Saturday, Sunday.  Most of the Senior group has already qualified for this meet or are very close to qualifying.  We also have several swimmers who should make it back to finals based on this year’s results.  Many finalists achieved Olympic Trail cuts at the meet so this is a great opportunity for us to swim with some of America’s best!

Qualifying time standards are shown below in LC, SCY as well as “Bonus Cuts.”  Swimmers who achieve one regular qualifying time standard are eligible to add additional events provided they have achieved the “Bonus Cut” time standard.  Also listed is the 24th place time at the meet which would make it back to swim at finals.

There will be requirements to attend the 2013 Spring Travel Meet in addition to time standards.


Click on the chart for a larger printable version.

The Significance of a Team Travel Meet

Many of you (swimmers and parents) have often asked, or wondered, why we plan team-travel meets (athletes traveling as a group without their parents).  There are several reasons why the coaches feel this is important and feel that we should share these with you.

We are very fortunate to have a group of such dedicated and hard-working athletes.  There are many benefits that your swimmer(s) will experience from a team travel trip.  Often, these are dangled as “rewards” in front of swimmers to “inspire” them to attend practice, work hard, and “be good kids.”  We, and you, are blessed – they already do all of that!  While it is true that a team trip is a great “reward” and wonderful way to cap off a great season, there are many other benefits.

Team travel is a great way for our athletes to further bond their friendships, become closer to team members that they may not know as well,  learn to work together as a team, and discover the importance and satisfaction of representing their entire team and not just themselves.

Additionally, team travel presents an opportunity for young athletes to experience and grow their independence.  As coaches, we are committed to supervision of athletes at all times.  However, there are times when athletes will need to make decisions on their own or with guidance from someone other than their parents…just like the real world of college and employment.

Swimmers are often inspired by the performance of athletes at “new” meets.  Many times

Senior Practice Schedule–Summer

Summer Practice times for the BKYS – SR group are listed below.  Start dates will be after school is out for summer (parents are now singing a 1980’s song in their heads, FYI).
The schedule was designed to allow those swimmers who will be working the opportunity to have at least 4-hour time-slots available as well as one “long day” and non-meet weekends.

Monday 6:30-9 am, Columbus North

Monday 3-5 pm, Columbus North

Tuesday 9-noon, Northland (50m)

Wednesday 6:30-9 am, Columbus North

Wednesday 3-5 pm, Columbus North

Thursday 9-noon, Northland (50m)

Thursday 6-8pm, Columbus North

Friday 9-noon, Northland (50m)

All a.m. practices include dryland activities.  Please plan to bring stretch-cords, water bottles, and sunscreen for dryland.