
Weekly Mailer
April 30, 2019 |
COACHING CHANGE THIS
WEEK!
Coach Aaron Stepping Down from
Hammerheads
As you all know Coach Aaron will be stepping down from
Hammerheads to take on a more full time role with GVRD. His last
day coaching with us was yesterday, Monday, April 29th. He
will still be around the pool and will be sub coaching with us from
time to time. College student and past VJO swimmer, Chris
Toledo will be taking over Hammerheads 1 and 2 Groups June 1st. In
the meantime, Coach Daniel will be stepping in to take Hammerheads
until Chris gets back from college.
Coach Sophie Stepping Down from Junior and Leopard
Sharks
As you all know Coach Sophie has stepped down from
coaching both Junior and Leopard Sharks groups to start up her own
swim lesson program. Her last day with us was Saturday, April
27th at the Napa Meet. You will still be seeing
Coach Sophie around the pool and she will be staying with us
as a sub coach. Coach Maureen will be taking over
the Junior Group and Coach Jennifer will be taking over
the Leopard Shark Group.
We wish Coach Aaron and Coach Sophie the best of luck in their
new adventures and look forward to seeing them around the
pool. Thank you for all that you have done for our
swimmers!
MAY 1st COACHING CHANGES:
Starting May 1st Coach Maureen will be taking over the Junior
Group and the Mako Group. Coach Jennifer will be taking over the
Leopard Shark Group. Coach Daniel will be taking over the
Hammerhead 1 & 2 Groups.
Coaching Change Starting May 1st
Hammerheads 1 – Coach Daniel
(Coach Chris starting on June 1st)
Hammerheads 2 – Coach Daniel
(Coach Chris starting on June 1st)
Leopard Sharks – Coach
Jennifer
Mako Group
– Coach Maureen
Junior
Group – Coach Maureen
Junior 2 Group –
Coach Jennifer & Coach Brendan
Senior
Group – Coach Jennifer
Masters
– Coach
Brendan
If your family has any questions about any of these coaching changes, please feel free to reach out to me or any of our coaching staff or board members.
IMPORTANT SWIM MEET
REMINDERS:
The following Swim Meet Information has been taken out of
our "VJO Parent Handbook" and is good
reminder to all our swimming families new and old. If you ever
have questions about swim meets or other VJO information,
please feel free to speak to your coach or any VJO board member.
Coaches are on the pool deck 15 minutes prior to practice and
15 minutes after to answer your questions. If needed, you can also
schedule a meeting with any of our coaches outside of practice
time.
SWIM MEET
PROCEDURES
• Arrive at Meet On
Time – The meet arrival time will be specified
by the VJO coaching staff.
• Report to Check-in
Table - Swimmers must report to the check-in table
and check in for all events entered. If there are any problems
during check-in or possible mistakes made with entry forms, discuss
the matter with your coach, so corrective action can be taken
immediately.
• Check In with Your Coach
– Make sure to check in with your coach, so
they know you have arrived at the meet. If your coach is not
present, check in with you specified meet coach.
• VJO Coaching Staff will
Oversee Warm-ups - A member of the Vallejo Aquatic
Club coaching staff will oversee warm-ups. Parents are not allowed
behind the blocks during warm-ups. Some meets may even have closed
decks.
• Mandatory to Wear Team
Suit/Team Cap - It is mandatory for VJO swimmers to
wear the team suit and team cap at all meets. All other team
apparel is recommended; however, wearing the complete team uniform
promotes team unity and greatly aids spectator recognition.
• Know Your
Events - All swimmers should know which events they
are swimming before warm-ups and be present to swim each event.
Most swimmers write their events, heats and lanes on their hand
with a sharpie.
• Sit in Team
Area - All VJO swimmers need to be sitting in the
designated VJO team area of the pool. This helps to prevent our
swimmers from missing events and allows the VJO coaching staff to
find swimmers if needed.
• Check in With Your
Coach Before Each Race - Prior to each event each
swimmer must check in with their coach.
• Getting Your
Time - At most meets,
electronic timing is used. The official time is generally the one
recorded in the computer by the swimmer touching the wall and
appearing on the scoreboard.
• Check in With Your
Coach After Each Race - At the conclusion of each
race, the swimmer should ask the lane timers for their stopwatch
time. The swimmer should then come IMMEDIATELY to the coaching
staff. This gives the coaches an opportunity to discuss the
race with each swimmer and add positive and constructive comments
concerning splits, stroke technique, race strategy, etc.
• Warm-up &
Warm-down - Before and after races, swimmers
should warm up and warm down in the
designated warm-up/ warm- down area. Ask your coach for specifics.
In between races, swimmers are also asked to rest and stay warm.
All energy should be saved and used for competition.
• Check Out With Coach
Prior To Leaving Meet - It is very important that
swimmers check with the coaching staff prior to leaving any meet.
This makes certain that swimmers are not entered on a relay or in
additional events.
WHAT TO BRING TO SWIM
MEETS?
• VJO team swimsuit (plus
extra suit)
• VJO team swim cap (plus
extra cap)
• Goggles, plus extra
pair
• Towels (one for each race
& warm-ups = 4 towels)
• Swim parka or other warm
coat on colder days
• Old blanket or sleeping
bag
• Quiet games or books
• Food - nutritious
snacks
• Water bottle (stay
hydrated)
• Rain gear/sunblock if
necessary
• Chair
BEHAVIOR AT SWIM
MEETS
• When you wear the VJO team
uniform, remember that your actions reflect on the entire team. Let
your actions reflect the pride you have in the Vallejo Aquatic
Club!
• For safety purposes,
swimmers and parents should stay out of the competition area during
a meet unless swimming or serving in an official capacity. Keeping
off the deck is also a matter of courtesy to the swimmers,
officials and meet host. We want to make sure swimmers can get to
their events.
• All questions swimmers and
parents have regarding meet results, an officiating call, or the
conduct of an individual, will be referred to the VJO coaching
staff ONLY. The VJO coaching staff will pursue the matter through
the proper channels.
• As a matter of pride, VJO
families should leave the team area and the pool in a neat and
clean condition at the conclusion of each day of a meet.
• VJO swimmers are never to
scratch or “late enter” an event without consulting
with their coach first.
• After a swimmer is
finished with his/her races for the day, they must notify a coach
if they wish to leave the meet.
TEAM SUITS and TEAM CAPS -
MANDATORY AT ALL MEETS
We want to remind all our swimmers and families that team
suits and team caps are mandatory at all meet. This does mean for
meet warm-ups and all races. We are a team!
You can order a team suit and other team gear at any time.
Just take an order form down to Making Waves Swim Shop in
Walnut Creek and place an order today. Make sure you try on a
team suit first. Order forms for team suits, team parka's and
team gear are attached below. Order Forms can also be found on
our team website and at the pool. For team caps, see any of
our VJO coaches (Latex- $5, Silicone - $12).
*** VJO Team Suits are
required at ALL SWIM MEETS***
UPCOMING
EVENTS:
SATURDAY LONG COURSE
PRACTICES
On the following Saturdays we will be having long course
practices. All groups are welcome to join us for these practices.
We recommend joining us for these long course swims in order
to help better prepare you for our upcoming long course
meets.
Saturday May
11th 7-9am (All Groups )
H1/H2 7-8am
LS/MS 7-8:30am
SR/JR2/JR 7-9am
Saturday May 25th 7-9am (All
Groups)
H1/H2 7-8am
LS/MS 7-8:30am
SR/JR2/JR 7-9am
Saturday June
15th 7-9am (SR, JR2, JR Grps ONLY)
**Dual Meet for H1/H2/LS/MS Groups
9am-1pm**
MANDATORY GENERAL
MEMBERSHIP / PARENT MEETING (ALL PARENTS)
Tuesday, May 7th
6:00-7:30pm
Portable Building (707 Heartwood
Ave)
The Spring VJO General Membership Meeting (Parent Meeting)
will be held on Tuesday May 7th from 6-7:30pm in the Portable
Buildings next to the pool. Drinks and snacks will be
provided. This meeting is mandatory for ALL PARENTS to
attend. We will be discussing important items like team policies,
budget and fundraising. A detailed agenda will be sent
out before the meeting. There will be a combined practice on this
day.
Important
Topics:
Favaro Scholarship Update
Volunteer Hours Update
VJO Treasury Report/ Budget (How
is VJO doing?)
Summer Event/Meet Schedule
Ukiah Camping
Information
Upcoming May Long Course
Meet
Upcoming June Dual Meet
May Meet Job Sign ups
Shark-A-Thon - Sat Aug 24th
2019
Grant/Sponsorship Updates
Becoming a Team Sponsor
COMBINED PRACTICE SCHEDULE - Tuesday May
7th
There will be a special combined practice schedule on this
day. The Junior, Junior2 and Senior Groups will swim from 4-6pm,
before the General Membership Meeting. The Hammerhead 1, Hammerhead
2, Leopard and Mako Groups will swim from 6-7:30pm during the
General Membership Meeting.
JR / JR2 / SR Practice
4-6pm
H1 / H2 / LS / MS
Practice 6-7:30pm
VJO GOES ROCK CLIMBING
AT ROCKZILLA
Join us on Saturday May 11th from 1-3pm (after long course
practice) for Rock Climbing at Rockzilla in Napa. Flyers have
been placed in family file folders and extras can be found at the
pool.
WHEN: Saturday May 11th 2019
1-3pm
WHERE: Rockzilla, Napa
COST: $15
/climber (normally $22)
RSVP: Please RSVP by MAY 1st to Jenn
Matteo at [email protected]
(we need 30 climbers to get discounted
rate)

UPCOMING
MEETS:
10 & UNDER
CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 10 & Under Championships Meet is
CLOSED for entries. The meet will be held on Saturday, April 20th
in Sunnyvale CA. This is a qualifying meet.
All 10 & Unders most have achieved the qualifying
time standard to enter.
LOCATION: Sunnyvale Swim Complex @ Fremont
High School, 1279 Sunnyvale Saratoga Rd, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
TIME: Arrive
at 7:00am, Warm-up with team at 7:15am. Meet will start at
8:30am.
TIME
STANDARDS: (time standard sheets are also
attached)
6&Unders: must have achieved a
Pacific Swimming 8-UN “B” Time
(
http://www.pacswim.org/userfiles/cms/documents/823/8under-time-standards.pdf)
7-8 Year
Olds: must have achieved a Pacific Swimming 8-UN
“A” Time (
http://www.pacswim.org/userfiles/cms/documents/823/8under-time-standards.pdf)
9-10 Year
Olds: must have achieved the “BB” time in
the event per the 2017-2020 USA Swimming Motivational Time
Standards (
http://www.pacswim.org/userfiles/cms/documents/801/2017-2020-motivationaltimes-top16.pdf)
RELAYS: There
will be relays at this meet. Our coaches have entered one 10 &
Under girls relay and one 10& Under Boys relay.
NAPA VALLEY
LONG
COURSE C/B/A+ MEET
April
27th-28th 2019
The Napa Valley
Swim Team Long Course Meet is CLOSED for
entries. The Napa Long Course Meet will be held on
April 27-28th at the Napa Valley College Pool.
TIME: Please
arrive at 7:15am each day. Warm-ups will start at
7:30am and the meet will start at
9:00am each day.
LOCATION: Napa
Valley College. 2277 Napa-Vallejo Hwy., Napa, CA
VJO LONG
COURSE C/B/A+ MEET
May
17th-19th 2019
***OPEN***
Our home VJO Long Course Meet is
NOW OPEN ONLINE for ENTRIES. This meet will be
held at our very own Cunningham Pool. All VJO swimmers are
encouraged to enter this meet. This is our team designated meet for
the month of May. Please remember that we need ALL FAMILIES
to help to make our home meets a success. 10 volunteer
hours are required for each family.
ENTER
ONLINE: http://ome.swimconnection.com/pc/vjo20190517
TIME: Please
arrive at 7:15am each day. Warm-ups will start at
7:30am and the meet will start at
9:00am each day. Remember parking is limited, so arrive early
for better parking
LOCATION: Cunningham Aquatics Complex (801
Heartwood Ave Vallejo)
EVENTS: Please speak with your coach if you
have questions about what events to enter.
Hammerheads 1 &
2: Talk to your coach before entering
events. Only enter events your swimmer is ready
for. Hammerheads MAY NOT enter any
breaststoke or butterfly events without prior approval
from your coach.
JR2 & SR
Group: The event of the meet is 800
free (fri night). All JR2 and SR swimmers should be
entering the 800 free at this meet.
APRIL 2019
CALENDAR

2019 VJO SPRING /
SUMMER SCHEDULE
MAY
May 3-4 -
North Coast Section High School Championships (Qualifying HS)
May
5
- SR Walk On Meet (SR Grp ONLY, Diablo Valley College
Pool)
May 7 -
Mandatory General Membership/Parent Meeting
(6:00-7:30pm, Portables)
JR / JR2 /
SR Practice 4-6pm
H1 / H2 / LS
/ MS Practice 6-7:30pm
May 10-11 - High School State
Championships (Qualifying HS, Clovis)
May 11 - Long Course
Morning Practice (All Groups, 7-9am)
May 11 - VJO Goes Rock
Climbing at Rockzilla (1-3pm, Napa)
May 17-19 - VJO Long Course C/B/A
Meet (All Groups, Cunningham Pool)***OPEN***
May 20 - NO PRACTICE
(Meet Recovery day)
May
25 -
Long Course Morning Practice (All Groups, 7-9am)
May 27 - NO PRACTICE
(Memorial Day)
May 30 - Shark Pride
Day (All Groups 5-7pm)
JUNE
June 6-9 - Summer
Sanders LC Senior Meet (Qualifying SR Group,
Roseville)
June 12 - First Day of
LC Morning Practice (M/W/F 6:45-9am)
June 15 - Short
Course Dual Meet ( H1,H2, LS, MK Grps, TBA)
June 15 - JR & SR
Group Long Course Practice (7-9am)
June 22-23 - NAPA Long Course
C/B/A Meet (All Groups, Napa Valley College)
June 27 - Shark Pride
Day (All Groups 5-7pm)
June 29 - VJO Annual
Pool Party & Alumni Reunion (12-5pm, Cunningham Pool)
JULY
July
4th
- Vallejo 4th of July Parade
July
10 -
Team Picture Day ([email protected]:30pm, Team [email protected])
July 12-14 - Junior Olympic
Championships 14&Un (Qualifying Meet, Concord)
July 19-21 - Ukiah Dolphins
Short Course Meet & Camping (All Groups, Ukiah)
July 19-22 - Speedo CA/NV
Sectional Championships (Qualifying SR, Santa
Clarita)
July 26 - Shark
Pride Day (All Groups 5-7pm)
July 25-28 - Far Western
Championships (Qualifying, Moraga)
July 29- Aug 1 - REAL SPIRIT WEEK (combined practice
times)
AUGUST
Aug 2-4 - REAL
Summer Championships (All Groups, Petaluma)
Aug 5-18 - Team Break (two
weeks)
Aug 19 - First Day of
Fall Practice