Why Wouldn't You?

I’m cheap. I freely admit it. In fact, I can seldom have a conversation without telling someone about a deal I got somewhere. It’s one of the things I love about Coach Becky because she’s even more “frugal” than I am, which is an important fact I will address in a bit.

The economy is awful. Grocery prices have gone up drastically. Movies cost nearly $10 per person. I don’t know anyone who is getting a raise or COLA this year. So given these facts, I am a tad perplexed at the low number of Fry’s and Bashas’ cards we utilize as a team. Either you all are doing fabulous and I need to know if your workplace is hiring, or there are some misconceptions about the cards. If it is the latter, I will attempt to clarify the process:

1. You buy a reloadable Fry’s or Bashas’ card from the team in any amount over $5.00

2. You use the card to buy groceries.

3. You get at least 2%, or up to 4%, of your grocery purchases back on your team account.

4. The team gets 1%.

Note, once you buy the card, you never have to talk to me about grocery cards again. You can reload it right at the customer service counter or even at the register BEFORE you buy the groceries. You win, the team wins, it all adds up. I am not sure it can get much simpler. If you shop at Safeway, you can get the cards through eScrip.com, which is explained in the attached information.

I know “fundraising” has become a ridiculous part of our lives. Everyone is fundraising, but the grocery cards can be a huge benefit to you. The more we use the cards, the higher the percentage increment we receive back. So while 2% on a $500 grocery bill will get you a $10 credit on your account, the amounts will go up in proportion to the amount of people spending and utilizing the cards. Really, $10 a month is a great savings, and every little bit adds up now-a-days.

Another thing I am is passionate about this team. Why? My daughter has hypothyroidism so exercise is vital to her well-being. She was bullied, hit and verbally abused in two schools, socially she was an outcast, but at Arizona Desert Dolphins, she discovered herself. She was accepted, encouraged and involved. My husband and I watched as her confidence blossomed and her circle of friends increased in spite of her quirks. This team, with the fabulous swimmers and coaches, brought our daughter from a place of no self-worth to a position of confidence and hope. This is why Joe and I work so hard for this team, even to the point of heading the Fundraising Committee. We see Coaches Becky and Lorette pour into these girls, take into consideration every cost and adhere to a budget (hence the frugalness). They get we aren’t all lottery winners. More importantly, they get how important it is for young women to have a place of acceptance and sense of team, and they work hard to create that environment in AZD.

Please review the attached eScript information, it is an amazing way to earn funds for your account and the team, particularly if you give gift cards at Christmas. Please e-mail me with your request and the amount you want on your Fry’s or Bashas’ card, then put a check for that amount – payable to AZD – in my folder so I can keep track of orders and forward the funds to our Treasurer, Jessie Nichols.

Written by Dana Hansen, AZD Fundraising Chairperson

Rubber Ducky Migration of 2011

Synchro Mamas..... Off and Swimming!

Our Synchro Mamas Daytime workouts began last week.

The workouts are fabulous, and are total-body workouts which include yoga, Pilates, core strength and stability, swimming and stroke technique, water aerobics, and of course.... SYNCHRO!!

Workouts are also designed to be fun and non-intimidating, so whether you love the water or dread it.... you'll love Synchro Mamas!

Come see what the splashing is all about!

Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

8:45-9:45 am at Skyline.

Cost: $25 per month.

Musings of a Synchro Mom

Musings of a Synchro Mom

by Pam Parron-Saletri

Starting synchro for the first time or simply starting up again for a new season is an adventure. Parents and daughters alike wonder what this year will bring: Who will be on their team? What music will they have? What will their suits look like? Will their figures improve???

New to synchro? Then maybe you’re just wondering what to expect. When my daughter first tried synchro, I never realized how much there was to this incredible sport. Every year brings a greater admiration of what our girls do in the water. First and foremost, this is a sport that demands that our daughters become well-rounded athletes with strength, endurance, flexibility, grace, poise, and speed. It is like aquatic gymnastics practiced individually (figures) and then those movements plus so much more become an aquatic dance put to music complete with team suits/costumes & make-up & hair that is perfectly synchronized as a group performance. Sounds beautiful, right? It is amazing! Make no mistake though, this is a competitive sport.

To be competitive, our girls need to be at every practice. They need to be prepared with the right stuff: swimsuit, goggles, noseclip, cap, and towel. They need to be prepared physically: SUNSCREEN (pre-applied), lots of drinking water (water at pool is warm, yuck!), fueled (eat HEALTHY snacks ½ hour before practice), and flexible. Yes, the girls do stretch at the pool, but the more they stretch at home, the more prepared they will be.

The first month of practice will be about a lot of physical conditioning and the correct basic body positions and moves (hybrids). This gives the girls the foundation to build a successful synchro season. It also allows the coaches the time to assess which girls will be grouped together into teams. A team is any group of 4-8 swimmers usually assembled based on age group and skill level. This team will become known by the title/theme of their music, and eventually their own team suits that match the mood of their music for competition. Swimmers need to develop individually and as a group,as they prepare for competitions.

Although there won’t be a complete (figures and routine) competition until 2012, this is what our girls work for and will explain some of the required “gear” purchased at registration. When the girls arrive at a competition, fundraiser, or charity event as a team, they wear their AZD Team Uniform (black polo shirt and green shorts), or their team sweats, (jacket and pants suit). This identifies them as Desert Dolphins. Upon entering the water at a competition to “warm-up,” the same idea applies. Team (Desert Dolphin) suits & caps help our coaches (and us!) identify our swimmers from the other 50 girls in the water warming-up. After warm-ups have finished, the girls quickly change into the suit they will need.

Figure Competition: This is an individual competition that will also factor into the team’s (8 girls) final scores. At a figure competition, the girls will move to four different groups, called panels, of judges to perform a different figure. (A specified sequence of body positions and movements judged on control and design.) Each girl is randomly assigned a number so that all Teams present will be mixed up. The girls must wear a plain black suit and a plain white cap. This black suit will be referred to as the “figure suit” and the white cap as the “figure” cap.

Finally my fellow parents or other responsible adults new to swimming, there is one thing I have to warn you about & you will either accept it or learn to accept this. (I was a slow learner.) I always bought the swim suits or the AZD clothes considering the “growth factor.” Here is the fact about swimsuits for competition & long practices where suits are used for more than recreational wear….

Ready?...

These suits must be tight…at first, perhaps, uncomfortably tight.

Being a modest mother on a budget, this did not appeal to me. So my daughter’s first year, I made purchases based on my way of thinking…

Another synchro mom is a witness to the fact that I sat at our sons’ soccer game sewing and desperately trying to salvage a month old Speedo suit that had become stretched out and deformed.

It didn’t work…

Trust the coaches and Carri, our wonderful seamstress, the suits need to be tight.

Welcome to synchro! Welcome to the Desert Dolphins! Or simply welcome back! There are a lot of us, but stretch out a hand and introduce yourself. Ask questions…you are not alone in this adventure of synchro 2011-12. Good luck, girls! (Good luck, parents!)

Fit Flippers Aquatic Bootcamp for Kids! A Fun Fitness Bootcamp, IN and OUT of the water!

Formerly known as Tough Kids, this bootcamp is designed to keep your kids in busy and active this fall.

Kids need to be between 6-12, and must already know how to swim unassisted.

Participants will gain strength, speed and endurance both in the water and out by high-intensity but fun training designed for kids!

Saturdays: 10:00-11:30 am

Session One: September 10-October 29

Session Two: November 5-December 17

Session Three: January 7-February 25

Session Four: March 3-April 21

Session Five: April 28-June 16

Cost $35 per session

Skyline Pool

845 S. Crismon Rd.

Mesa, AZ 85208

Contact us for more information:

info@azdolphins.com or 480-313-4350

Back to Basics is here!!

Tuesdays and Thursdays: 4:30-6:30 pm at Skyline!!

Be there!!

Dessert Night extends into the wee hours of the night, or should I say.... morning?

Thank you to the parents that joined us for Dessert Night last night!

Not only did we complete the 32 headpieces that needed to be worked on last night, we also rang in the morning, and with desserts to spare!!

You guys were wonderful, and we enjoyed working with you and chatting with you last night.

We truly have an awesome family here on the Desert Dolphins!

Next week... here we come!