Venetian eSplash—3-22-2016

In this edition of the newsletter:

Parents: Please Consider Signing Your Child Up for Swim Team!
Come Join the Poolsharks!
Work Day — Saturday, April 23rd
Volunteers Needed to Help with New Member Party
Future Events and Important Dates

Parents: Please Consider Signing Your Child Up for Swim Team!
Dear Venetian Parents,
The Poolsharks swim team offers one of the highlights of our Venetian summer. Not only do our young swimmers improve their basic swimming skills, and gain respect for water safety, they also hone their competitive edge in the best sport available to growing children and young adults. You don’t hear about head injuries or torn ACLs with swimmers because injuries are rarely an issue. Swimming is all about building healthy bodies, not wearing them down. Swimming is a learning sport as well; learning better coordination, endurance, and a mental edge that helps in the water and in the classroom. The Poolsharks cultivate a respectful community with a focus on team sportsmanship and an appreciation for each individual’s accomplishments.

We hope parents of swimmers in all age groups, from 18 all the way down to six and under, will give some thought to joining the Poolsharks for another great season. Some of our sharks didn’t leave the water when Venetian closed down. Kathleen O’Shea, Phin Johnson, Jake and Lola Grace Fjelstule, Theresa and Noah Glasgow, Madeline and Fiona McElroy, and Ellie and Virgina Woodcock–to name a few–found a love of swimming that keeps them working in the off season to stay on top of their game. Many of our Poolsharks represented their high schools at the Georgia High School State Championships, like Tory Brierley who made finals in the 50 Free and 100 Back. Ian Grum didn’t dally around and managed to swim a leg on a relay that set a National Relay Record and took first place in the 400 IM in the Georgia Short Course Championships. Dean Farris will be taking his swimming skills to college this Fall when he swims for Harvard University after participating in the US Olympic Trials. All of these swimmers found their passion for swimming during summer league and many more found a confidence in their swimming skills and lifelong friendships.

The Poolsharks don’t just want you — they need you! Registration is now open for the 2016 season. No one can build a swimming community without swimmers. They’re looking forward to seeing new faces, old faces and faces ready to rejoin the team. If you want your young swimmer to get a jump on the season, just contact coach Sean Minton (sean@daqswim.com), our team coach, as he’s been helping another set of Sharks at DeKalb Aquatics (DAQ). DAQ offers some good opportunities for swimmers to get back in the water early and Sean will be glad to help you decide what’s best for you and your Poolshark. Here are a few of the options offered by DeKalb Aquatics:
Bronze – Can swim Freestyle and Backstroke 1 full length. (3 days/week)
Silver – Can swim all 4 strokes. Focus on stroke refinement. (3 days/week)
Gold – Can swim all 4 strokes. Focus on endurance and racing. (3-5 days/week)
Gold 2 – Same as above with more focus on technique, and a later practice time. Great option for warm up to summer league! (3-5 days/week)

For more information and more advanced options please go to DeKalb Aquatics’ Web site.

Come Join the Poolsharks!

Registration is open for the 2016 swim season! Please visit the website and click on “Swim Team” in the menu, and you will find information on the different groups that your children can join, practice schedules, meet schedules, and more. Please note that there will be a $10.00 rate increase for Poolsharks after April 17th.

Questions? Please join us for our swim team open house on Sunday, April 17th at 3:00 at Venetian. Coach Sean Minton will be there for swim team Q and A, we will have swim suit fittings, volunteer information and sign ups, and last chance to register before the Poolshark fee increase. Beer and snacks will be provided!

The Poolsharks will also be hosting a car wash at Venetian during the work day on April 23rd, rain or shine so come out and support the team!

Additional questions? Please contact Jennifer Hardy , jennifer@interiormedia.com

Work Day — Saturday, April 23rd
Our spring Work Day is just over a month away! This is the day when we do the all-important preparations to get out facilities ready for the upcoming season, and it is a great social event. We need help with

Lots of cleaning – the Bath Houses, the Snack Bar, the Office. Cleaning supplies are provided.
Re-sealing the wooden deck (after making any needed repairs).
Re-staining the picnic tables, benches and planters.
Inspecting and repairing the climbing structure.
Throwing out trash. (We rent a dumpster for the day and usually fill it.)
Planting annuals, spreading pine straw.
Cleaning the grills thoroughly.
And much more…

The day begins at 8:00 a.m. with juice, coffee, bagels and donuts. Lunch will be served at noon. And you earn guest passes—one book of guest passes for every two hours worked per household. We will be working until about 5:00 p.m. In case of rain, the Work Day will be held on Sunday, April 24.

Hope to see you there! Many hands make light work!

Volunteers Needed to Help With New Member Party

The New Member Welcoming Party is in need of volunteers to assist in providing items for this event. There is no requirement to attend the event, and all purchases will be reimbursed by Venetian. If you would be willing to purchase and drop off a few items please let me know. Your efforts will be much appreciated.

Catherine Moore
Membership
kamdhhs@aol.com

Future Events & Important Dates

Monday, April 11: Board Meeting, Location TBA, 7-8:30 PM
Sunday, April 17: Swim Team Open House, 3:00 PM at Venetian
Saturday, April 23: Spring Work Day and Swim Team Car Wash
Sunday, April 24: Rain Date—Spring Work Day
Saturday, May 7: Opening Day at Venetian!

Submitted by Vicki Ainslie, communications@venetianpools.org