Cuda Parents & Swimmers, 

I am so glad you are able to join us as we celebrate our 47th year as a summer league swim team in NWAL! This will be my 10th season as Head Coach of the Northampton Cudas and I look forward to meeting all of the new families, seeing many familiar faces, and to all of the FUN ahead. Those of you that are new to the Northampton Cudas, we are 1 of the original 5 teams in NWAL. We have a long standing history of excellence, tradition, team spirit, and a sense of community unlike many others around town! I challenge us to be even better and have more fun in our 47th year….GO CUDAS!

Please review all of my notes below regarding the start of the season. Direct all questions concerning meet event suggestions, practice questions, swim lessons, and your concerns about your swimmer to Coach Laura. I will respond to you as my schedule allows.

 

2017 Cuda Coaches: Head Coach- Laura Koch Davis (10th season), Quinton Jones (7th season),

Ryan Murphy (3rd season), Logan Jones (2nd season), Rylee Garrett (1st season), Sarah Brumfield (1st season)

Feel free to read our bios at www.northamptoncudas.com . The bios will be posted soon.

2017 Cuda Junior (volunteer) Coaches: *Note the junior coaches are volunteer / mentors and swimmers on the team. All questions and concerns are directed to the CUDA Coaches only. They are not eligible to teach swim lessons.

Kate Galbraith, Jack Burns, Grayson Bender, Riley Johnson, Ethan Laird, Jeremy Laird, Gavin Gerwick, Kaylee Marino, Trace Andrews, Tina Ellison, Hunter Irwin, Jordan Lenard, Sophie Jeppson, Leyla Furrh, Taryn Kooyers, Zoe Uehlinger, Kendall Mills, Abby Davis, Jessica Davis, and Sara Baskett.

 

Cuda Practice schedule while school is in session:

ALL CUDAS:  April 17- May 31

Ages                Time                Location

6 & Under       4:45 - 5:15       Northcrest Pool

7-8                   5:15- 6:00        Northcrest Pool

9-10                 4:00-4:45         Northcrest Pool

11- 18              6:00 - 7:00       Northcrest Pool

June 1- TBD

Monday May 29- Memorial Day- No practice!

 

6 & Under Star Program:

The 6 & under Star Program will began Monday, April 17. Near the end of every workout the Coaches will give each swimmer an opportunity to swim across the pool without fins or assistance to earn a star next to their name. At the end of 2 weeks (April 28), the swimmers that have a star(s) will receive a reward and a chance to continue swimming with the Cudas Swim Team. We will have a conference with the parents of those that have not yet made it across the pool without assistance and due to safety reasons, we will recommend swim lessons for this season. Our first priority is safety of all swimmers hence our team requirement that swimmers be at least 4 years old and be able to swim across the pool safely. 

 

Registration: Are you or someone you know still interested in registering for Cudas? If so, contact Melissa Ward @ [email protected]. Please note, there will now be a $50.00 non-refundable fee in place. ALL swimmers must be registered prior to attending practice.

The final day to register is Thursday May 4, and the last day to drop is Friday May 5.

 

Cuda Parent Meeting:  Please plan on attending this meeting to learn what the Cudas are all about, and the expectations that go with being a member of the Cuda family.  Returning Cuda families are welcome as well. Topics will include: Swim team vs. swim lessons, volunteer requirements, meet structure, practice expectations, etc.  This is also a good time to meet the Cuda Board, ask questions, and provide feedback. 

Date: Monday April 17, 2017

Time: 6:00-7:30pm

 

2017 Northampton Cuda Swim Clinics – Northcrest Pool

Sunday April 30 – 10:00-11:00 am

• Barracuda Basics Part 1: Technique work on all 4 strokes

Sunday May 7 – 10:00-11:00 am

• Barracuda Basics Part 2: Technique work on all 4 strokes and turns

Sunday May 21 – 10:00-11:00 am

• Barracuda Racing: Fine tune starts and turns, get ready for Cuda dual meets and Divisionals!

Clinic Fees:

• $10 per clinic or $25 if you register for all 3.
• Payment is due at the first clinic.
• Payable by cash or check to the Northampton Cudas. No refunds will be given.

Space is limited, reserve your spot today!

To register email: [email protected]

**Please note: The swimmer must be at least 6 years old to participate and be able to swim across the pool in freestyle and backstroke.

                      

Attendance:  Practices transition very quickly between age groups.  Please make sure your swimmers are on time and ready to swim for their scheduled practice.

 

SAFETY:  Keep in mind….The Cudas number one focus is safety.  If your child is not in the pool, there is NO ONE to watch them.  Please make arrangements for your child before and after practices to ensure their safety out of the pool area.

Continuing our current policy.  This year, NO ONE is allowed on the pool deck except board members and swimmers who are scheduled to be in the water.  This IS strictly enforced.   

 

What to Bring:  Cap, goggles, fins, and water.  Girls need to wear swim caps! Everyone has the same equipment, so without proper ID these items may be picked up by another swimmer.  Please mark all belongings with swimmers names in permanent marker.  The Cudas are not responsible for any lost or misplaced items.

 

LOST & FOUND: We will have lost and found bins out at the end of every week. Remind your children to pick up all of their belongings prior to leaving the deck. We are not responsible for any lost items.

 

Weather Policy: We do our best to offer practice every day. However, when weather systems move in and out quickly sometimes decisions are made right before the start of practice or in the middle of practice. We will make a decision regarding practice as close to the start of practice as possible. You will need to check Northampton Cuda Facebook page, remind app, team website, and your e-mail for any up to date information every day! Do not text Coach Laura regarding the weather. Please review Cuda communication options below!

My best advice is to use your best judgment when making the decision to attend practice or not in any weather system. Review the weather apps on your smart phone device- use Spring, TX 77389 as the zip code for those that live outside of the neighborhood.  The only reason we cancel practice is if safety becomes an issue or if another event prevents us from using the pool.

Please note: We WILL swim in RAIN, but not thunder or lightning.

 

CUDAS COMMUNICATION:

Cuda Facebook: Ask to join the Northampton Cudas FB page @

https://www.facebook.com/groups/319663577422/

Remind APP:To use this feature, you will need to download the  Remind App

Send a text message to number 81010. Type @9g924 in the message box. Hit send.

Or go to this website https://www.remind.com/join/9g924?utm_medium=ios

Team website:    www.northamptoncudas.com

 

Swim Lessons/ Coach Instruction: Coaches are required to instruct proper swimming/diving techniques in group session environment to all team members so that the swimmer and the team can be competitive. There will be times that certain coaching decisions may be made to benefit the team as a whole, not to please an individual swimmer.

If you feel your child needs more instruction during practice then private lesson can be arranged outside of practice and for a fee. All of the Cuda coaches are available for lessons (not Junior Coaches). To arrange lessons e-mail Coach Laura- [email protected]. Mention which Coach you prefer, your available times, ages of your swimmer, what you want to focus on and I will forward your request to that Coach.

 

 Is this your first year with Cudas? You will want to meet Erin Johnson our New Cuda contact!  She remembers very well how it felt to be new to the team.  She is ready to answer any question you may have, and guide you in the right direction! Erin will be available to meet in person at team functions, or you can contact her at [email protected] with questions.

 

Swim Suit:

Swim Shops of the Southwest will be at practice Monday April 17th

The team suit this year is the TYR Phoenix Splice-Black/Gold

 

Time Trials & Picture Day is Saturday May 6th.…  Please plan to attend Time Trials on May 6th.  This is our practice meet, and we need as many people as possible to attend the “dress rehearsal” before our first meet.  It is so much fun for the kids and it is Cuda Picture Day! We are celebrating 47 years and want to have every Cuda represented in our team history!

NOTE: If you have prior obligations and will miss any part of swim time trials, please email – Wes DeBord – NH Cudas President: [email protected] .

We will gather a head count and then send out a plan after time trials is complete. Therefore, I strongly encourage EVERYONE to attend TIME TRIALS on May 6th to ensure your child gets timed, gains meet experience, and has FUN!

There will not be a make-up picture day!

 

Thank you for your support of the Northampton Cudas.

Coach Laura