To All Community Members,
Friends Of The Pool is a new 501(c)(3) organization created by local community members that focuses on seeing the continued enhancement of existing swim and dive programs in the Upper Keys. It is also our purpose to actively create and support new swim and dive programs that include, but are not limited to, USS registered age group and masters teams, adult fitness programs, summer teams, swim and dive camps, basic learn to swim programs, and other aquatic programs.
On March 21rst, Friends Of The Pool will be hosting its first annual Swim-A-Thon, sanctioned by USA Swimming, at Founders Park to raise money for the aforementioned swim and dive programs. We are happy to announce that a generous local private donor has offered a dollar-for-dollar match for all funds raised during this drive. We invite all ages because even if you raise $2 and swim 2 lengths (50yds), you can still help us raise $4! No distance is too small!
Also, when you are finished swimming you may participate in a swim clinic or contest. There will be food, games, and other fun events for the family to enjoy. We encourage members of the family that are not swimming laps to still come cheer and enjoy the festivities. It is our goal to involve as much of the community as possible. We want to show that with the communities’ help, and only with the communities’ help, our beautiful facilities can be put to its proper and maximum use.
Friends Of The Pool is a organization that is open to all members of the community. We welcome you to find out more about becoming a member by visiting our booth on the day of the event.
If you have any further questions regarding the Swim A Thon or the Friends Of The Pool organization please do not hesitate to contact Eliza Combes by phone at 305-393-1051, e-mail markhill_67@hotmail.com
Sincerley,
Rob Dixon President
Mark Hill Head Swim Coach
Monday, February 23, 2009
Swim A Thon Questions
How do I raise money?
First you start with an amount of laps you would like to swim. For now lets say you want to swim 10 laps. You would have to raise $10 at $1 per lap. Each swimmer can have several donors with each donor supporting a portion of your final amount or one donor to cover the cost of all your laps. The donors could be friends, family, co-workers, or even yourself. REMEMBER THAT A $10 DONATION IS MATED BY OUR PRIVATE DONOR AND IS REALLY A $20 DONATION.
Where can I pick up a donation form?
I have sent out a form to many of you, however, I will leave plenty of sheets at the pool so please feel free to stop by Founders and pick up a form.
Where is the money going?
The money will be going towards the aquatic programs. Half of the donations will go towards helping the Florida Keys Swim Club which is the local USS registered age group club team that practices here in the upper keys. The other half will go to Friends of the Pool who are focused on building new programs.
Are donations tax deductible?
Yes!
Who counts the laps?
You do! We will have some lap counters helping , however, the honor system will have to be in effect.
Any rules?
No swimmer can swim more than 200 laps and no swimmer can swim for more than 2 hours.
Will there be anything else going on?
Yes! We will have food, games, contests, and clinics going on throughout the day.
Where can I get more information?
Please e-mail me markhill_67@hotmail.com
First you start with an amount of laps you would like to swim. For now lets say you want to swim 10 laps. You would have to raise $10 at $1 per lap. Each swimmer can have several donors with each donor supporting a portion of your final amount or one donor to cover the cost of all your laps. The donors could be friends, family, co-workers, or even yourself. REMEMBER THAT A $10 DONATION IS MATED BY OUR PRIVATE DONOR AND IS REALLY A $20 DONATION.
Where can I pick up a donation form?
I have sent out a form to many of you, however, I will leave plenty of sheets at the pool so please feel free to stop by Founders and pick up a form.
Where is the money going?
The money will be going towards the aquatic programs. Half of the donations will go towards helping the Florida Keys Swim Club which is the local USS registered age group club team that practices here in the upper keys. The other half will go to Friends of the Pool who are focused on building new programs.
Are donations tax deductible?
Yes!
Who counts the laps?
You do! We will have some lap counters helping , however, the honor system will have to be in effect.
Any rules?
No swimmer can swim more than 200 laps and no swimmer can swim for more than 2 hours.
Will there be anything else going on?
Yes! We will have food, games, contests, and clinics going on throughout the day.
Where can I get more information?
Please e-mail me markhill_67@hotmail.com
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Bad Weather
It would seems silly to apologize for things I can't control such as the weather but I must say that I do feel really bad. I feel like in the last month cold weather and cold pool temps have led to freezing of our regularly scheduled practices. I am not happy with it but I do want to say thank you to all of you that are patient and continue to give your support. Without the hardcore regulars we are nothing. The pool temp today was 71 and Founders. Please feel free to voice your concerns about the heating with Founders Park Management.
I know that many of you that live in Islamorada have not gotten a chance to swim because Founders Park has been cold. I encourage you to try to come up north to Jacobs. The pool there has been 79-81 during most of these fronts and we have been swimming in full strength. Over 15 kids swimming in the Junior group alone. I am trying my best to keep the kids swimming despite the weather so during these fronts I make decisions based on pool temp. and will reschedule if necessary. I apologize if it is sometimes last minute as I check the temp during the cold front on the day of workout and make decicions accordingly.
Hopefully we are rolling through the last of our cold fronts. In no time at all we will be complaining about the summer sun. Please continue to check the website for information regarding the club, especially updates regarding practice changes due to the weather. I appreciate all the support.
I know that many of you that live in Islamorada have not gotten a chance to swim because Founders Park has been cold. I encourage you to try to come up north to Jacobs. The pool there has been 79-81 during most of these fronts and we have been swimming in full strength. Over 15 kids swimming in the Junior group alone. I am trying my best to keep the kids swimming despite the weather so during these fronts I make decisions based on pool temp. and will reschedule if necessary. I apologize if it is sometimes last minute as I check the temp during the cold front on the day of workout and make decicions accordingly.
Hopefully we are rolling through the last of our cold fronts. In no time at all we will be complaining about the summer sun. Please continue to check the website for information regarding the club, especially updates regarding practice changes due to the weather. I appreciate all the support.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
New Year
Well I hope everyone has enjoyed a much needed vacation. I for one am excited about getting the team back into the pool. We have meets and events coming up that I am certainly focusing on and I know we have a lot of work in front of us. For next week we will start practice again on Tuesday. I only have enough pool space for the senior group and we will be swimming from 6-8pm @ JAC. On Wed we will have practice for all groups at the normal times. 4-5pm for the junior group and 5-7pm @ Founders Park for the senior group. Thursday will be the same as Tuesday with no junior group and Friday will be the same as Wed.
Sorry for all the confusion and thank you for your patience as we cater to the college programs who help keep these pools in business. On the right I have posted the schedule for the rest of the winter. You will see that everything is back to normal.
Hope everyone had a great New Year and I will be looking forward to seeing you at the pool. Keep checking for updates.
Sorry for all the confusion and thank you for your patience as we cater to the college programs who help keep these pools in business. On the right I have posted the schedule for the rest of the winter. You will see that everything is back to normal.
Hope everyone had a great New Year and I will be looking forward to seeing you at the pool. Keep checking for updates.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Fund Raiser
I am pleased to announce that the kids have raised over $1800 bagging groceries at Winn Dixie. This money will go towards a new record board. As older swimmers look to the excitement of setting records, younger swimmers look to crush those records to bits. This board is more than a record board. It is a hint of progress. It is this teams desire to push beyond a mediocre club.
I am so pleased to be a part of this great effort. Although the numbers have cooled down with the temperature we are still looking forward and still planning for spring and summer. Please continue to support the club in these next few months as we go through some cold fronts. Without consistency it is hard to achieve our desired results. Both pools have promised to try their best to maintain a 79-80 degree temperature. I will heat them up from there :)
Congratulations to this club for an outstanding job raising this money for your board. Without the help of the community, the swimmers, and the parents none of this could be possible. I thank you all.
Please look ahead next year as we are planning a Swim-A-Thon in March to hopefully nudge us along further.
I am so pleased to be a part of this great effort. Although the numbers have cooled down with the temperature we are still looking forward and still planning for spring and summer. Please continue to support the club in these next few months as we go through some cold fronts. Without consistency it is hard to achieve our desired results. Both pools have promised to try their best to maintain a 79-80 degree temperature. I will heat them up from there :)
Congratulations to this club for an outstanding job raising this money for your board. Without the help of the community, the swimmers, and the parents none of this could be possible. I thank you all.
Please look ahead next year as we are planning a Swim-A-Thon in March to hopefully nudge us along further.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Winter Champs
http://www.teamunify.com/TabGeneric.jsp?_tabid_=11068&team=fgcspst
The link above is for the results of the 2008 winter Championship meet in Plantation, Fl.
Winter Champs is a meet we look froward to. It is a three day championship meet which in many ways is a learning experience in itself. First, you need to train your body to handle three 10 hour days of warming up, racing, warming down, racing again, warm down, race again, warm down, possible racing again, warming down, check the final results. If you made finals, which was most definitely a goal of our ours, then you have 3 hours to eat and rest before you come back for finals. If you have more than one final it will be warm up, race, warm down, race, warm down again. By the way, in finals the requirements are to go faster than your best time AGAIN. Three days of maximum physical, mental and emotional stress. I congratulate all swimmers who competed.
We had great times, we had good times, we had bad times. We won medals, we made finals, and we also watched finals from the side of the pool. The ones that did will will continue to work. The ones that wanted to do better will continue to work. I will continue to work.
I am excited for some rest during the holiday season. This week I will be putting together a schedule for the winter that will be different from the regular schedule. Please make sure you utilize the website during the winter months.
The link above is for the results of the 2008 winter Championship meet in Plantation, Fl.
Winter Champs is a meet we look froward to. It is a three day championship meet which in many ways is a learning experience in itself. First, you need to train your body to handle three 10 hour days of warming up, racing, warming down, racing again, warm down, race again, warm down, possible racing again, warming down, check the final results. If you made finals, which was most definitely a goal of our ours, then you have 3 hours to eat and rest before you come back for finals. If you have more than one final it will be warm up, race, warm down, race, warm down again. By the way, in finals the requirements are to go faster than your best time AGAIN. Three days of maximum physical, mental and emotional stress. I congratulate all swimmers who competed.
We had great times, we had good times, we had bad times. We won medals, we made finals, and we also watched finals from the side of the pool. The ones that did will will continue to work. The ones that wanted to do better will continue to work. I will continue to work.
I am excited for some rest during the holiday season. This week I will be putting together a schedule for the winter that will be different from the regular schedule. Please make sure you utilize the website during the winter months.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Splash And Dash
This Last Saturday I am pleased to report that four kids on the team Daniel Michael, Kelsey Volland, Evin Zekthi and Taelor Cuppett all participated in a "Splash and Dash" event at Founders Park. The race was a 500 meter swim and a 3 mile run. The kids crushed everyone in the swim and lost a little ground on land but each one of them won their age group. I was very proud of all of our swimmers who represented FKSC in fine fashion. Hopefully next year we can have some more kids, and even parents get involved. It is a healthy and fun way to stay active and most importantly these are activities that these kids can do for the rest of their life. Congrats to all the participants!
I am off for Winter Champs this week. Keep checking for updated
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