Welch Team Practice Updates & Some Time Changes

Welcome our Guests

Welch swimmers and parents please be advised that Park Forest pool is closed due to pool problems and we will be welcoming Park Forest swimmers to our morning practices.

We ask that any and all swimmers in the 11/12 and 9/10 age group to come to the earlier practice from 7-8am if possible. This will take some pressure off the size of our normal 8-9am practice.

There will be pool space for those that come at the regular hour but it will be tight.

We can still have fun this week and show those frogs just how awesome we are!

If you have any questions please contact the coaches on their email account: welchcoaches@gmail.com

Thank You and let’s get ready to swim hard and fast for Champs. Let’s go SHARKS!

WELCH FRIDAY FUNDAY!

Welch Sharks you earned your FRIDAY FUNDAY!

• 8:00 to 9:00 AM for ages 11 and Up
• 9:00 to 10:00 AM for ages 10 and Under

Enjoy some extra rest and return refreshed to WELCH Pool.

If you still have not made you family donation, please consider stopping by Welch Pool and placing your greatly appreciated and needed donation in our Welch wooden lock-box.

Also please make sure you submitted your Welch Swim Team Banquet online RSVP or regrets link.

If you pre-ordered a 2015 CHAMPS shirt, we will have those available to pick-up at practice from 9 to 9:45AM FRI.

*UPDATE* - No WED NIGHT (7/22) Practice plus CHAMPS reminder

With a busy two swim meet Shark Week there will be NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT (7/22) PRACTICE.

Here's an opportunity to get some extra rest and dream of waking up Thursday morning and having pancakes.  Sometimes dreams DO come true. :-)

Hint... Team Pancake Breakfast is tomorrow after practice.

REMINDER:  CHAMPS ENTRY DEADLINE IS THURSDAY (7/23)!!!

If you can not make it to the pool to submit your CHAMPS swimmer entries by end of THU practice, send your entry choices in an EMAIL to:
welchcoaches[at]gmail[dot]com

To swim at CHAMPS you must swim in at least 2 regular season league meets.

PANCAKES, PANCAKES, PANCAKES!!! - THE Welch Sharks Swim Team Pancake Breakfast 2015

It's Back!  The Annual Welch Sharks Swim Team Pancake Breakfast!

7/23 (THU) Pancake Breakfast for Welch swimmers after each age group's morning swim practice
*Bring your own drink.  We will provide the pancakes, butter, syrup, plates, cutlery, & napkins.*

• 8:00 AM ages 13-18  (volunteer time 7:40 to 8:25)
• 9:00 AM ages 9-12  (volunteer time 8:40 to 9:25)
• 9:45 AM ages 5-8  (volunteer time 9:25 to 10:05)

Parent volunteers are needed to assist with this activity.  We need six (6) griddles and spatulas.  If you have a griddle/spatula to loan, let me know directly via email or in person - I should be at each morning's practice this week.  You can bring your griddle/spatula to the pool ahead of time where we can store them in the team's storage room.  Please place your name on masking tape and attach to your griddle and spatula.

We added a Sign Up Genius link for those that wish to help and/or loan equipment for Thursday, but are unable to sign up at the pool on TUE or WED morning.

Welch Pancake Breakfast Volunteer & Equipment Sign-Up

Please continue to follow the blog and our new Facebook page (Welch-Sharks Swim-Team) for more updates for this event as well as next week's CHAMPS sign-ups and the End Of Season Banquet information.

FRIDAY FUN DAY SCHEDULE & THANKS

FRIDAY is a FUN DAY for the Welch Sharks Swim Team.
Adjust your practice times based on your age group:

• Ages 11 & Up:  8:00 to 9:00 AM
• Ages 10 & Under:  9:00 to 10:00 AM

Both Welch and Penns Valley teams swam well tonight.

A HUGE THANK YOU to those who volunteered to make this meet run so well and finish by 8:10 PM!  (The sun was still up!!!)

• Swimmer entry sign-ups will be taken at practice for next TUE's (7/21) HOME meet make-up vs. SPRA.
• CHAMPS sign-ups are also being taken on the white index cards.

Have a great weekend and fast times to those swimmers that are swimming at this week's Junior Olympics at PSU.

Go Welch Sharks!!!

Tie-Dying on TUESDAY, JULY 14

We will hold our annual Welch Tie Dye Day on Tuesday, July 14 after each practice session.

Please bring a white, 100% cotton t-shirt (or other clothing item(s)) that is already tied with rubber bands to Tuesday, July 14 morning practice.  Place your last name with a laundry marker/sharpie somewhere on your shirt (preferably on the shirt's tag or on multiple tags made from a piece of masking tape that is folded over itself onto the rubber bands - please make several tape tags in case a rubber band breaks).  Dyes will be available after each practice session.

Do you need design/fold ideas?  There are many online sources available that provide many ways to rubber-band shirts to get that tie-dye look you may want.

• Classic Spiral Tie-Dye
• Tie-dyeing a Peace Sign (Whoa, far out ...that's way cool!) 
• Tie-dying Shoelaces
• How to videos are also easy to find online

We need and welcome volunteers to help after each swim session.  Parents are encouraged to assist their younger children.  If you already contributed your suggested $2 per family tie-dye donation to cover supply costs, thank you for your generosity.  If you still have not made the family fundraising/tie-dye donation, please submit that as soon as possible.  This is a fun team activity and we look forward to seeing everyone participate and show their creative team spirit.

Parents, you too can participate and tie-dye so that you can display your creativity and Welch Team Spirit when you wear your Welch Tie-Dye to our meets.

Welch Tie-Dye Take Home Instructions:

• Keep shirt in the plastic bag and let it cure/set up for at least 4 hours but preferably 24 hours for the brightest colors.
• Once set, it's time to unwrap!  This can be done either in a sink, tub or outside.  Please note these dyes can still stain.  Leaving ties on, rinse under cold running water (faucet, shower, or hose) to stop the dye reaction.
• Next rinse in warm water while you untie the folds and keep rinsing until the water runs fairly clear.
• Throw in machine as soon as it is rinsed, running through a full wash cycle.  You will see a lot of dye pouring out while rinsing...this is normal.  Wash and dry separately for the first few wash cycles.

Welch Sharks TIE-DYE TUESDAY 2015

Normal Practice Times on WED (7/8)

Normal practice times tomorrow morning (WED 7/08).

We had many great swims tonight by our Sharks, Shark Coaches, and Shark Parents.  Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, and swam at the meet.

NOTE:  Please follow our facebook page and blog for any weather related updates that might affect THU's scheduled ice cream social.

*UPDATE* NO Evening Practice on WED, 7/01

*UPDATE* There is NO evening practice on WED JUL 01 due to CRPR's Welch Pool Sports Night scheduled special event.

SPRA meet Rescheduled AND Regular WED 7/1 Practice times.

Every time it rains, it rains
Pennies from heaven
Don't you know each cloud contains
Pennies from heaven
You'll find your fortune falling all over the town
Make sure that your umbrella is upside down
Trade them for a package sunshine and flowers
If you want the things you love
You must have showers
So when you hear it thunder don't run under a tree
There'll be pennies from heaven for you and me.

Pennies?  It felt more like rolls of quarters. ;-)

Last night's (TUE 6/30) meet vs. SPRA has been tentatively rescheduled to TUE, JULY 14 at Welch pool.  PLEASE NOTE, we have two (2) home meets this week.  On THU, JULY 16 we swim at Welch Pool vs. Penns Valley.

Thank you to both the Welch and SPRA teams, their coaches and the many parents who turned out last evening.  All were ready and excited to begin another fun filled meet.  Unfortunately Mother Nature had different plans and sent us home early with pockets not full of coins, but rather rain with many flashes of lightning.  So we look forward to seeing everyone back in two weeks (7/14) when we try to do it all over again.

Wednesday's (JUL 01) morning practice times will begin at their regularly scheduled time for each age group.  There is NO evening practice on WED JUL 01 due to CRPR's Welch Pool Sports Night scheduled special event.

FUN DAY FRIDAY (6/25) and thank you

Yes Welch Sharks you earned a FUN DAY FRIDAY!
Practice times are as follows for FRI:

• 8 - 9 AM    Ages 11 & Up
• 9 - 10 AM  Ages 10 & under

Thank you to all our Welch Sharks Swimmers that participated in THU eve's away meet w/ our Penns Valley Penguin friends.  I hope everyone made the most of their opportunity to swim well and continue to work on improving their times.  Thank you also to our Welch Parent Volunteers, who assisted with this meet - without your help these meets are not possible.  Lastly, thanks to the Penns Valley Penguin Swim Team for being a wonderful host with arguably the best concession stand in the CPSL.

So enjoy the extra rest tonight and see you at Welch Pool tomorrow morning.

REMINDER:  We will be taking swimmer entry sign-ups for next TUE's (6/30) HOME meet vs. SPRA.  Please use the swimmer entry sign-up sheets on the Black & Gold sign-up board.

Best wishes to our USA swimmers during their weekend meet at PSU.
Also remember...

Today's 6/22 Practice CANCELED - T-Storms in the area

9:15 AM  As the subject line states, all Welch Sharks Swim Team practices for this TUE morning are canceled due to approaching T-storms,

Enjoy a little rest, do some dry-land exercise, stay positive and have fun. :-)

Practice on FRI 6/19

After a fun yet hard fought Thursday night swim meet, Friday's (6/19) practice will not begin until 8am.

Two practice sessions:

• 8am-9am for the older group
• 9am-10am for the younger groups

MONDAY NIGHT Practice CANCELED - weather related

Tonight's 13 to 18 practice from 8 to 9 PM is canceled due to some local thunder and threatening heavy rain forecast from 8:15 to 9:00.  Please follow the blog and facebook for future updates.  Stay safe and rest up.  We'll see everyone at practice tomorrow morning - weather permitting of course ;-)

Weekly UPDATE - June 8 - June 13

Hey Welch Sharks Swimmers and Parents, here's a quick rundown of what's going on this week.

1. Welch Swim Team registration is available at:
   
   • Welch Pool's front desk
   • Centre Region Parks & Rec (CRPR) office (8 AM - 5 PM)
   • In person - located in the C.O.G. building (2643 Gateway Dr. - Cato Park)
   • By phone - (814) 231-3071
   • Online registration at CRPR site - CRPR's program Registration by Internet link.
2. THU 6/11 Team swimsuit sizing try-ons
   
   • 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM before practice session.
3. THU 6/11 Practices begin! - Regular morning swim practice begin THU, 6/11 (the morning after the last day of school.  See the Practice Times tab located along the top of the blog for your age group's starting time.  Parents of those age 9 and up, be ready for the inevitable question, "It's summer vacation, why do I have to get up earlier than I did for school?"  Be truthful, creative and if necessary to avoid the endless loop argument use the always handy and effective if not overused, parental trump card response ..."Because I said so." ;-)
   
   • Swimmer Sign-Ups for Saturday's 6/13 Practice/Mock Meet begin
   • Parent Volunteer Practice/Mock Meet online sign-ups - Mock meet parent volunteer sign-up link
4. FRI 6/12 Team swimsuit sizing try-ons:
   • 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM before practice session. *UPDATE* RESCHEDULED to MON 6/15 from 6:30 AM - 9:00 AM before practice session.
5. SAT 6/13 Team swimsuit sizing try-ons:
   • 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM before mock meet
6. SAT, 6/13 Welch Team PRACTICE/MOCK MEET & ALL PARENT MEETING
   • 7:45 AM - ALL Welch Parent meeting.
   • 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Team Practice Meet.
7. SAT 6/13 - Welch Team Apparel samples will be available to see.  Order forms are available for download from the Team Apparel tab located along the top of the blog.  Apparel orders are due by the end of practice MON 6/15.
8. In order to participate in team practices, meets and activities swimmers must be registered with CRPR.  See item 1. ABOVE.

Thanks and we look forward to seeing everyone at Welch Pool.

Welch Mock/Practice Meet & ALL Parent meeting SAT, 6/13

1. We will hold a brief ALL Parent Meeting at 7:45 AM before our Mock/Practice Meet on SAT, 6/13.
2. The mock meet will run from 8 AM to 10 AM and provides a brief but valuable meet experience to new swimmers and parents as well as a refresher for all returning sharks.
3. SAT, 6/13 is also the last day for team swim suit sizing try-ons and order placement.

Swimmer (and volunteer) sign-ups for next SAT's (6/13) Welch-Sharks Swim-Team mock meet will begin at SAT, 6/06's pre-season practice.

Regular season morning practices start bright and early on THU 6/11.

Check the Practice Times tab at the top of this blog page for your age group's practice time.

Welch Sharks Team Swimsuit Try-On Dates and Order Deadline

FYI Welch Sharks; Welch team swimsuit try-on for size will be before practice on the following days:
THU - 6/11
FRI - 6/12
SAT - 6/13

The deadline for placing your team suit order is SAT, 6/13.

As posted on the team's general information page:

The Team will be using a similar swimsuit design (black w/ yellow trim) as in 2014.  The purchase of a team swimsuit is optional and not necessary to participate in the swim meets.  We will provide a suit sizing try-on prior to practice on THU-June 11, FRI-June 12, and SAT-June 13.  Swimmers will only be permitted to try on the sizing sample suits before they enter the water.  The deadline to submit your suit order is Saturday, June 13.

2015 Team Swimwear prices are the same as the 2014 and 2013 prices:

• Female T-splice suit = $47
• Male jammers = $31
• Male racer/brief = $27
• Welch cap = $8 est.

Orders will require payment by either check (payable to “Welch Swim Team”) or providing the exact cash amount.

Thanks and see you at The Welch Pool. 

The Welch Sharks Swim Team 2015

**2015** The Welch Sharks Swim Team **2015**

Welcome to the Welch Swim Team's 2015 season!  We will use Facebook and this blog to communicate Welch Swim Team information to parents and swimmers.

2015 Summer Swim Season... "OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR" 

After all these years, still enjoy Gary Larsen's vintage "Farside"

A new summer swim season with the Welch Sharks Swim Team is upon us with the first pre-season practice scheduled for early morning Saturday, May 30 (Wow, that's only a few hours from now!) and the second pre-season practice will be on Saturday, June 6.

2015 Preseason Practices: Saturdays, May 30 & June 6

• Ages 11+ from 8-9 AM
• Ages 10 & Under from 9-10 AM

Practices are a great opportunity for the coaches to get to know the kids and review some fundamentals!  Swimmers MUST be registered before they may participate in practices or meets.  You can register your Welch Sharks Swim Team swimmer either at the Welch Pool Front Desk, The Centre Region Parks & Recreation (CRPR) Office (in person or by phone) located in the Centre Region Council of Governments (COG) Building or online through the following link to CRPR website:

CRPR Aquatics Registration - Welch Swim Team

There will be a general information presentation for all new swim parents at each of these pre-season practices.  We will provide a summary of information related to the Welch Team and the summer swim league (CPSL) competitive meets as well as attempt to answer all questions.

Welcome and we look forward to enjoying another fun filled summer swim season with the Welch Sharks Swim Team

THE Welch Sharks Swim Team - The final countdown to season end.

Final Practices, Awards, and general housecleaning:

1. We will have Ages 10 & Under regular morning practice through THU (July 31).
2. The FINAL FRIDAY FUNDAY (Aug 1) is for ALL AGES OF SHARKS:-8:00 AM for Ages 11 & Up
   -9:00 AM for ages 10 & Under
   Again all are invited & encouraged to attend FRIDAY (Aug 1) FUNDAY for the last hurrah of the Sharks 2014 Summer Swim League Season.  We will provide snacks. :-D
3. Sharks who did not receive their Welch Team banquet awards please come to the remaining Welch practice before the close of the season (FRI Aug 1) to receive your awards.  Team availability will be very limited after this week and will be at the Team's convenience.  Swimmer awards will not be carried over to next season.
4. Ages 11 & Up TUE night Champs swimmers please either stop by THU's (8:00 AM to 9:45 AM) 10 & Under practice, THU CHAMPS Meet at Park Forest, or 2014 FINAL FRIDAY FUNDAY to receive all your earned CHAMPS medals & ribbons from the Team's coaches and staff.
5. CHAMPIONSHIPS for Ages 10 & Under is THU, July 31 at Park Forest Pool.  Welch warm-up times are 5:15 PM to 5:35 PM.  Give yourself ample time to check in with coaches upon arrival.  Parking areas include the pool lot, and both school lots at the top of the hill.
6. CHAMPIONSHIPS 10 & Under Welch Parent Meet Volunteer positions are still available.  Please use our online sign up page to volunteer for the last meet of the season.  Get out the weeds and background grass and get close to the action of your swimmers' meet.  There are a number of 2nd half positions yet to fill.
7. Like last season, THE Welch Sharks Swim Team will donate any unopened regular (non-snack) foods from our Team's concession supply to The State College Food Bank.  Remaining soft drinks will be donated to the Alpha Fire Company.
8. Any current Welch Parent who might be interested to assist with the Team's 2015 operations, please send an email to me at the Team Parent Rep email address and place in your subject line:
   
   SUBJECT:  2015 WELCH Season
   

   If possible, please identify any particular team areas that you would be interested to serve or coordinate.  The Team Parent Contact email address is:

   Welch[dot]Sharks[dot]Swimteam[at]gmail[dot]com

NIGHT PRACTICE CANCELED WEDNESDAY (7/30)

HEY WELCH SHARKS!!

Night practice is canceled due to incliment weather.  The radar does not look good folks!  Stay dry and dream about your races tomorrow, envision yourself in the pool and reaching out for that wall!
And remember for those swimming breaststroke and butterfly it's a TWO HAND TOUCH. ;-)

~ Coach Boris

NO Practice WED (7/23) NIGHT

Sharks, there is no swim practice on WED (7/23) NIGHT due to Parks & Rec's Hawaiian Night activity.