Orca Synchro newsletter February 2006

Come to the parent meeting:
Thursday, February 9, 6:00
Sunday, February 12, 3:00

Please plan to attend one of these Orca Synchro parent meetings, so you'll be in the loop on changes and events.

Meetings are held in the Scona Pool "lounge," also known as the party room, off the ramp by the locker rooms. We should be done in under an hour. (Tip: it's warm in that room; dress appropriately.)

Water show Sunday, April 9

Mark your calendars: Sunday, April 9 is the 2005-06 year-end Orca Synchro water show. All winter term synchro swimmers will be performing a routine -- both Thursday and Sunday swimmers will be performing on Sunday. The show starts at 3:30, but swimmers should be at the pool by 3:00, and if you want a good seat, come early and bring a lawn chair.

Our swimmers' theme is "retro." As well, teams from other Edmonton area synchro clubs will be performing.

Don't forget your camera. Invite your family and friends. Remember that it'll be warm on deck.

Guarantee your fall space

Last fall we had a waiting list, which could well happen again. To guarantee a space for fall 2006, provide a cheque for $70 dated September 1 to the treasurer, Janet Schwegel. (To submit a cheque after the water show on April 9, the Orca Synchro mailing address is 7219 - 106 St., T6E 4V7.) Indicate on your cheque the swimmer's name and the preferred class: SynchroKids on Sundays, SynchroKids on Thursdays, or SynchroStars on both Sundays and Thursdays. (Swimmers with Star 1 or higher are welcome to swim twice a week as a SynchroStar.)

Guarantee your space by April 30; after that registrations are open to Orca Synchro on a first-come, first-served basis.

If your plans change, call Janet Schwegel at 432---7454 by August 31 for a full refund. After that, see our new refund policy.

New refund policy

• Withdrawals up to two weeks before classes start receive a full refund.

• Withdrawals within two weeks of classes starting up to the third class receive a 50% refund, but there is a minimum $50 administration fee.

• Once the third class starts, no refunds.

Note that you must withdraw, not just stop attending. To withdraw, notify the registrar, Janet Vanderveen, at 428-ORCA (428-6722) or vicepresident@orcasynchro.org.

Lane/family swim

During synchro practices a lane is available for swimming laps and often part of the shallow end can be used for family swimming. We ask that you:

• stay out of the way of registered swimmers and let them have whatever part of the pool they want

• take care not to distract or hinder or jeopardize other swimmers by playing with balls or toys

Parent volunteers needed

Orca Synchro is run by a dedicated volunteer executive board of four parents. We could use some help. Could you

• co-ordinate refreshments for the April 9 water show?

• create certificates for swimmers?

• update our banner with coaches' info?

• help spend our casino proceeds by purchasing goods and equipment?

• organize a year-end potluck?

On this topic, a big "thank you" to Harry Tostawaryk for taking photos at the December water show. Harry generously made extra copies. If you haven't seen them yet, please ask a board member.

Upcoming synchro opps

Want to see more synchronized swimming? Here are some upcoming opportunities in the Edmonton area.

• March 20 - April 2, tier 6 and 7, Western Divisionals in Edmonton

• April 21 - 23, tier 1 to 5, Wildrose Classic at NAIT in Edmonton -- tiers 1 and 2 are the closest levels to the Orcas

• April 29, Masters Provincials in Sherwood Park

For more information on upcoming events see Synchro Alberta's website at www.synchroalberta.com/schedule.htm

Orca casino -- thank you!

A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered at the Orca Synchro casino in November. Our proceeds have arrived, sooner than expected and more than expected, and we're starting to spend them. (See "Parent volunteers needed.") You may have noticed a considerable reduction in your winter registration fees, both through fractional fees, which apply to everyone, and through the casino volunteer credits for those who worked a casino shift.

If you haven't received a statement of fees for 2006, please ask treasurer Janet Schwegel.

Synchro Alberta casino

Did you miss the Orca Synchro casino and the credits that reduce your registration fees? Here's another chance. Synchro Alberta has a casino on Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20. They need volunteers, and they show their appreciation by dividing 10% of their casino proceeds among the clubs of the volunteers. Last time that worked out to about $200 per shift.

To support Synchro Alberta, Orca Synchro is offering you almost the same reward we offered volunteers at our own casino in November: for each shift you work, half of the proceeds that we receive from Synchro Alberta will be applied towards fall 2006 registration fees and half will be applied toward 2007 winter and fall registration fees. You could reduce your registration by about $100 in 2006 and $100 in 2007.

So whether you want to reduce your registration fees further or just want to support synchronized swimming in Alberta, contact Synchro Alberta at 415-1789.

Yoga for your kids

Thanks to a successful grant application by president Karin Banasch Vail, Orca Synchro received funding from Synchro Alberta for special training. Coaches and swimmers are now receiving yoga instruction from certified YogaKids trainer Tami Ambury.

In fact, the first thing we spent some casino money on was yoga mats. To help keep them clean, we ask that the swimmers wear shorts for the warm-up during the first half hour.

We hope your children enjoy and benefit from the yoga. Please let us know.

We're also working on stroke improvement starting in February.

Orca Synchro team rosters

Coach Karen Wilson Davis

Karen's SynchroStars:
(Sundays and Thursdays)
Kathleen -- working on Star 3
Nina -- working on Star 3
Page -- working on Star 3
Rachel -- working on Star 3
Allison -- working on Star 5
Kori -- working on Star 5
Sarah -- working on Star 3
Caitlin -- working on Star 3

Diane Connors

Diane's Thursday SynchroKids:
Chelsea -- working on Star 1
Natasha -- working on Star 1
Sarah -- working on Star 1
Allie -- working on Star 2
Emily -- working on Star 2
Nicole -- working on Star 2
Nikolina -- working on Star 2
Hannah -- working on Star 1

Sarah Karesa

Sarah swam with Orca Synchro before it became a recreational club. She now swims competitively with Nova Synchro.
Sarah teaches AquaSquirts and co-coaches other Sunday teams.

Jordan Keber

Jordan's Sunday SynchroKids:
Elizabeth B. -- working on Star 2
Ellie -- working on Star 2
Erin H. -- working on Star 2
Erin M. -- working on Star 2
Leah -- working on Star 2
Amy -- working on Star 2
Miriam -- working on Star 1

Jordan's Thursday SynchroKids:
Daniel -- working on Star 1
Joey -- working on Star 1
Paolo -- working on Star 1
Joni -- working on Star 1
Brandon -- working on Star 1
Kaitlyn -- working on Star 1
Radomir -- working on Star 1

Brea Kvisle

Brea's Thursday SynchroKids:
Chloe -- working on Star 1
Madeline -- working on Star 1
Rhea -- working on Star 1
Erin -- working on Star 1
Hannah -- working on Star 1
Moira -- working on Star 1

Elizabeth Scott

Elizabeth's Sunday SynchroKids:
Ashton -- working on Star 1
Joey -- working on Star 1
Paolo -- working on Star 1
Brooke -- working on Star 1
Madison -- working on Star 1
Brandon -- working on Star 1
Samantha -- working on Star 1

Star testing

Orca Synchro tests synchronized swimmers at least once a term. Swimmers were tested in November. A couple of the SynchroStars with more experience passed Star 4; the rest of the twice-a-week swimmers passed Stars 1 and 2. Many SynchroKids passed Star 1. Some of the Sunday swimmers who were borderline for Star 1 will be re-tested on Sunday, February 5.

As well, Star testing will take place on Sunday, March 19 and Thursday, March 23. All synchronized swimmers will be tested for their next Star level. Parents are welcome to watch; advanced swimmers will be demonstrating each figure, so you'll have an idea how it's supposed to look.

When they pass a level, swimmers receive a pin. Those who don't pass will receive a certificate of encouragement. Synchronized swimming is a challenging sport, and all the Orca swimmers are making good progress. You should also feel free to talk to head coach Karen Wilson Davis.

As it says on the Synchro Alberta website, the Star program is a developmental skills program that offers instruction in basic to advanced synchronized swimming skills. There are actually three programs: Star (levels 1 to 10); Superstar (levels 1 to 7); and Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards.

The Star program relates to the competitive program so that a swimmer who completes Star tests may challenge a specified competitive tier. For more information on the Star program visit the Synchro Canada website at www.synchro.ca/star_program.htm.

Important dates

Sunday, February 5 -- Star testing for all SynchroStars and some SynchroKids

Thursday, February 9, 6:00 parent meeting

Sunday, February 12, 3:00 parent meeting

Sunday, February 19 -- no swimming

Thursday, March 2 -- no swimming

Sunday, March 19 -- Star testing for all Sunday synchro swimmers

Thursday, March 23 -- Star testing for all Thursday synchro swimmers

Sunday, March 26 -- no swimming

Thursday, March 30 -- no swimming

Sunday, April 9 -- Orca Synchro's "Retro" water show

Friday, April 21 to Sunday, April 23 -- watch the Wild Rose Classic competition at NAIT

Sunday, April 30 -- $70 cheque dated September 1 due to guarantee a fall space

Friday and Saturday, May 19 and 20 -- Synchro Alberta casino; to volunteer call 415-1789

Sunday, August 20, Level 1 and 2, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.; Level 3 4:00 to 8:30 p.m. and
Tuesday, August 22, Level 1 and 2, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.; Level 3 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. and
Thursday, August 24, Level 1 and 2, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.; Level 3 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Orca Synchro summer camps: new swimmers can try out synchro and o experienced swimmers will have an enrichment camp. Register through Janet Vanderveen; see her contact info below.

Sunday, Sep 17 and Thursday, Sep 21 -- probable starting days for the fall program
Three camps will be offered:

Level 1: Intro to Synchro

Level 2: Synchro Too

Level 3: Choreography Camp