Welcome Back Manta Rays!  

Lots of info.  ONLY because this is going out to returning/seasoned families, I am going to give you a shortened version and a detailed version.  If you have any questions, please read the detailed version.  

**Informational flyer with dates/times is attached -- you will get a bright color copy the first day of practice.  

**If you know your swimmer(s) will not be returning this season, please email me back and I will remove you from the email list.

Shortened Version:

• Same requirements as last year - min of 3 or more meets, min of 3 volunteer positions
• Still need 2 more stroke and turn judges (req. training), 1 head ready bench, 2 shutterbugs (take pics during meets/events and post to website) - email [email protected] if you can help
• Online registration for returning families runs March 26th - March 31st -- please register during this time if you are swimming with us - use your email and password: (see email)
• Registration fees are the same (new this year --including a swim cap with registration for competitive swimmers only)
• Team suit - same as last year
• PUPS - will be offered again - June only
• Meet dates - Saturday May 28, Monday June 6, Monday June 13 , Monday June 20 , June 25-26 (championship meet weekend - Palo Alto), Tuesday June 28 (All stars)
• 1st day in the water May 2 - pending weather
• Stroke Clinics - available May 13,14, 20, 21 - contact Coach Claudia
• Sponsors -- Many thanks to our generous sponsors!  Please let us know if you know of a business or own a business and are willing to sponsor the team
• Check website for meet check in/warm up/start times and more team info 
• Please read all team emails during the season 

 

Detailed Version:

Reminder about requirements for 2016:

• All swimmers must attend 3 or more meets
• All parents must sign up for 3 or more volunteer positions
• All new swimmers ages 5 -8 (new and 2015 PUPS) will be evaluated by the Head Coach on April 29th from 4 - 6 pm at the Seven Winds Pool to determine eligibility for the swim team.  
• Minimum requirements for younger swimmers will include being able to swim 1 length (25 yards) of the pool using any stroke under 1 minute 15 seconds, without stopping and without assistance.  Additional requirements may be set by the Head Coach.
• Swimmers ages 5 - 8 who are evaluated and do not meet the requirements can enroll in PUPS (non-competitive).  Pups will focus on teaching strokes and building endurance/confidence in the water.  Will be offered in June only. 

 

2016 Volunteers Needed:  

• BIG THANKS to these Manta-stic Manta Rays for stepping up and filling OPEN positions: Laura Outon (Concessions Coordinator), Claudia La Beau (Starter), Laura Leal (Assistant Scorekeeper), Cory Nackos (Stroke & Turn), Tracie Barr (Stroke & Turn), Arya Koneru (Stroke & Turn), Katie Brenner (Assistant Concessions), Cindy Hedrick (Assistant Concessions), Sarah Nackos (Spirit Items Coordinator).  I appreciate each of you stepping up to fill BIG needs of our team!  We still have more spots to fill to keep the team running smoothly.  Please help out if you can!
• Stroke and Turn Judges (training required - best view at the meets) - need at least 2 more people trained
• Head Ready Bench (coordinates and organizes the ready bench area/parents/swimmers) - need 1 person
• Shutterbug (take pictures during meets/event and post to our website) - need 2 people

 

Online Registration

• Team size will be again be capped around 125 this season.  This decision was made by the swim team board because of our pool size for both practices and meets.

• Online registration for returning families and any new siblings joining will be from  March 26 - March 31.  You will be required to be logged in.  To log in use your email from last year and the password (see email).  If you have any problems with online registration, please email Kelly Hunt at [email protected].

• New resident families may begin registering on April 1st
   
• ​Registration will close on April 10th or sooner if full

• Register at http://mountainlodgemantarays.swim-team.us.  You will be able to enter all your information, swimmer information, order spirit items and sign up for volunteer positions.   **You can pay online through PAYPAL.  There is an additional NONREFUNDABLE fee which will be found on the summary page.  You can choose to pay with PAYPAL or you can pay with cash or check on the first 2 days of practice May 2 and May 3.  Please make sure you finish all pages of the registration.  **You will get a confirmation email when your registration is complete. Your swimmer will not be registered until payment has been received and your volunteer positions have been selected.  

 

Registration Fees for 2016 swim season: (**SAME fees as 2015 and now include a swim cap for competitive swimmers)

The fees for swimmers ages 13 - 18 are $65.

The fees for swimmers under the age of 13 (including Pups) are as follows:

• First swimmer in the family   $120.00
• Second Swimmer in the family $110.00
• Third Swimmer in the family $100.00
• Fourth Swimmer in the family $100.00

The fees for current year around swimmers are $75 (*required signature from current year around swim coach, must commit to a minimum of 2 dual meets and the championship meet to swim at the reduced price, Coach Claudia prefers for year around swimmers to attend at least 1 practice a week).

If you have more than four swimmers in one family, please see the Swim Team Manager for additional fees.  A parent must complete a registration form, pay team fees, sign up for a minimum of 3 volunteer positions, and sign all waiver forms before attending any practice. 

 

Team Suits

Same team suit for 2015 and 2016.  

Girl's suits @ $55 plus tax
Boy's suit @ $34 plus tax
Suit costs are NOT included in the swimmer fees above

 

Pups
Beginning in 2015, the Manta Rays will be offering Pups for swimmers ages 5 - 8 who are evaluated and do not meet the requirements to compete.  This is a NON-COMPETITIVE group.  Pups will be offered for swimmers that are comfortable in the water but still need to develop skills and endurance to compete.  

What is included:

• 10-12 lessons in JUNE ONLY to learn strokes, build endurance, and build confidence in the water
• Manta Rays t-shirt
• Team bag
• Mock meet for the Pups on June 26
• All social events (including team picture)

 

Start Date/Meet Dates for Competitive Team – 1st day in the water (pending weather) May 2nd, Saturday May 28 (morning - away meet), Monday June 6 (home meet), Monday June 13 (away meet), Monday June 20 (home meet), June 25-26 (championship meet weekend - away - Palo Alto), Tuesday June 28 (All stars - away)

 

Stroke Clinics – Coach Claudia is offering stroke clinics, for an additional fee, May 13 & 14 and May 20 & 21.  You can sign up at the Seven Winds Pool the first week of practice or by contacting Coach Claudia at [email protected].  Payments for the clinics will be made directly to Coach Claudia.  Please contact Coach Claudia if you have any questions or would like the register your swimmer(s).

 

Website & Communication – Emails and website postings are our primary mode of communication.  Please make sure your email is correct at registration.  Check out our website at http://mountainlodgemantarays.swim-team.us. 

 

Sponsorship – Many thanks to our sponsors!!  We have been able to buy several big ticket items over the years.  This year we will use part of our sponsorship money to provide swim caps to our competitive swimmers.  If you own a business, work for a business, or know someone who owns a business who would be willing to sponsor our team, it would be greatly appreciated.  Please send an email to [email protected] if you are interested in sponsoring.

 

We have been hard at work getting everything ready for the upcoming swim season.  We want to thank the swim team board and Coach Claudia for all their help in preparing for another awesome season.  We are excited about the upcoming season and look forward to seeing your swimmers at the pool!  Thank you for being a part of the Mountain Lodge Manta Rays Swim Team!

 

Sincerely,

Kelly Hunt & Mandy Howland
Team Manager & Assistant Manager