2017 important dates

We are excited to have our schedule for the 2017 summer swim season.  Please add the following dates to your calendar and start thinking summer (it will be here before we know it).

We will update the blog with information about after school and morning swim team practice as soon as we have this information.  Below are important dates for swim meets and swim team events.

May 31st:  Intrasquad I meet begins at 5:30pm with warm-ups at 5:00pm
June 3rd:  GMST vs 5 Parks meet begins at 7:00am with warm-ups at 6:30am
June 7th:  Tie-Dye and Ice Cream social from 6:00-8:00pm
June 10th:  MVCC vs GMST meet begins at 7:00am with warm-ups at 6:00am
June 11th:  Gator Freestyle Frenzy @ GMST meet begins at 7:00am *more information to come
June 17th:  Golden vs GMST meet begins at 7:00am with warm-ups at 6:00am
June 21st:  Intrasquad II meet begins at 5:30pm with warm-ups at 5:00pm
June 23rd and 24th:  Ken Caryl Invite
June 25th: C/D meet at Golden
June 25th:  Pentathlon @ Applewood Athletic Club
June 28th:  Pictures, Pancakes and Water World
July 8th:  GMST vs Applewood Knolls
July 12th:  Intrasquad III meet begins at 5:30pm with warm-ups at 5:00pm
July 15th:  WheatRidge vs GMST meet begins at 7:00am with warm-ups at 6:30am
July 16th:  Last Chance @ GMST
July 19th:  Movie Night
July 21st-23rd:  League @ Anderson Pool
July 28th-30th:  State Meet @ Splash

Open board positions

Do your kids love summer swim team? Would you like to become more involved in the swim team family? Think about joining the swim team board. We would love to have you as part of our board.  Speaking from personal experience (this is Jennifer) there is no swim team background needed.

We currently have an open board position and two more available after this summer (Jennifer and Dave will be leaving after the 2017 summer season). This is a wonderful opportunity to become involved and understand how all the parts of the swim team work. The job responsibilities are flexible and we are confident there will be a task that you can help with and enjoy doing.

Please email gmstgators@aol.com if you would consider joining the board this year and/or shadowing for the next year. We can discuss the roles you are interested in and what responsibilities would work best for you.  If you are planning on possibly joining the board after this summer we would welcome you to shadow some this summer so you can gain some knowledge of these positions.  We would love to have your support.

Thank you for considering volunteering and we look forward to working with new board members this summer.

Spring swim clinics

Now that is it a new year guess what we are doing?  We are starting to think about summer swim team.  

To help prepare the swimmers for the summer season we encourage them to participate in the Spring swim clinics on Sunday night.  These clinics will be held on Sunday evenings at Green Mountain Recreation Center.  Swimmers who are 12 and under will swim from 5:00-6:00pm and swimmers 13 and up will swim from 6:00-7:00pm.  

Please click on the following link to register.

The dates for the clinic are listed below

February 12th

February 26th

March 5th

March 12th

March 19th

March 26th

April 9th

April 23rd

April 30th

May 7th

Please email gmstgators@aol.com with any questions.

See you in February at the pool

Holiday Lights at Adventure Golf and Raceway

Are you looking for something to do this winter break with the kids or family that is visiting?  You can purchase discounted tickets to the Holiday Lights at Adventure Gold and Raceway.  We are able to enjoy these discounted tickets since we are Water World club members.

It's the most wonderful time of year when Adventure Golf and Raceway transforms the park to Holiday Lights Mini Golf.  It is a fantastical journey through 54 holes of miniature golf, with over 100,000 twinkling colorful lights and beautifully decorated features throughout including Woody, the giant talking tree, an erupting volcano, and a booming fireball from our very own temple god. Light holiday treats and beverages will be available for purchase at the park, including hot chocolate, s'mores and select adult spirits.

Brighten up your season at Holiday Lights at Adventure Golf and Raceway with a Elf Pack.  This includes 4 admissions and 4 non-alcoholic drinks for $30.00 per pack.  Please click on the following link and enter GMST, then click submit.  After you click 'submit' you will select Adventure Golf and Raceway to purchase your tickets.

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays

It is hard to think it is now December. It seems just like last weeks ago we were swimming outside. We hope all the Gator families had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are getting ready for Christmas.

I want to remind families participating in the Sunday night swim clinics that the last clinic will be December 11th.
We will have the Spring clinic registration posted at the beginning of January. We hope to see some familiar faces in the pool preparing for summer.

Do you need an idea for Christmas presents? You can visit the swim outlet link to purchase Gator apparel.  Please follow this link to start shopping.

Thank you all for your continued support
We wish all of you and your families Happy Holidays

No swim clinics 11/20 or 11/27

Attention Sunday night swim clinic swimmers:
Please remember there is NO swim clinic the next two Sundays due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
We wish all of the Gator families a thankful holiday. We are thankful for our wonderful swim families.

Sign-up for swim clinics

Just a reminder that the Fall swim clinics start this Sunday, September 25th.  This is a 10 week session that helps swimmers work on their techniques for swim team strokes.  Please click the following link to sign your swimmer up.

Thanks and see you at the Rec Center on Sunday.  Please bring your payment and forms if necessary.

Why do we pay for our kids to play sports?

I was reading an article about why we invest so much money into our kids sports.  I found this article to explain a lot of what sports teaches our kids and how it helps them learn things we can't always teach them.

Please read if you like :)

One of my friends asked "Why do you pay so much money for your kids to do all their sports”? Well I have a confession to make; I don't pay for my kids to to do sports. Personally, I couldn't care less about what sport they do.

So, if I am not paying for sports what am I paying for?

- I pay for those moments when my kids become so tired they want to quit but don't.

- I pay for those days when my kids come home from school and are "too tired" to go to their training but they go anyway.

- I pay for my kids to learn to be disciplined, focused and dedicated.

- I pay for my kids to learn to take care of their body and equipment.

- I pay for my kids to learn to work with others and to be good team mates, gracious in defeat and humble in success.

- I pay for my kids to learn to deal with disappointment, when they don't get that placing or title they'd hoped for, but still they go back week after week giving it their best shot.

- I pay for my kids to learn to make and accomplish goals.

- I pay for my kids to respect, not only themselves, but other athletes, officials and coaches.

- I pay for my kids to learn that it takes hours and hours, years and years of hard work and practice to create a champion and that success does not happen overnight.

- I pay for my kids to be proud of small achievements, and to work towards long term goals.

- I pay for the opportunity my kids have and will have to make life-long friendships, create lifelong memories, to be as proud of their achievements as I am.

- I pay so that my kids can be out on the field or in the gym instead of in front of a screen...

...I could go on but, to be short, I don't pay for sports; I pay for the opportunities that sports provides my kids with to develop attributes that will serve them well throughout their lives and give them the opportunity to bless the lives of others. From what I have seen so far I think it is a great investment!

~Unknown

Fall Swim Clinic (starts September 25th)

We are excited to get the kids back into the water and swimming again.  The Gators will be starting our fall swim clinics on Sunday, September 25th.  These clinics will be held at the Green Mountain Rec Center (13198 W. Green Mountain Dr.) from 5:00-6:00pm for all swimmers.  The cost for this 10 week swim clinic session is $90.00 (this can't be prorated).  Please complete the registration to get your swimmer signed up.  If your swimmer is new to the Gators swim team please complete the liability and emergency contact forms.  Please bring payment (cash or check made payable to GMST) to the first swim clinic as well as the forms if your child is a new Gator swimmer.

We look forward to seeing the kids in the water again and working on their stroke techniques.
Sunday swim clinic dates MARK YOUR CALENDARS
(5:00-6:00pm)
September 25th
October 2nd
October 9th
October 16th
October 23rd
October 30th
November 6th
November 13th
December 4th
December 11th

Final thank you

I believe I speak on behalf of the board and the coaches of the Gator summer swim team when I say THANK YOU!

Thank you for  a wonderful summer
Thank you for your support to a sport your kid(s) love
Thank you for the laughs throughout the season
Thank you for your patience as we tried new processes
Thank you for the early mornings
Thank you for spending 6 days a week with us
Thank you swimmers for your dedication to work hard
Thank you volunteers
Thank you to the new families and swimmers who took a risk to try swimming with the Gators
Thank you for showing up ready to work hard
Thank you for always (or most of the time) sharing a smile
Thank you to the buddy family swimmers that helped support each other in and out of the water
Thank you to a successful summer swim season

And thank you for advance for helping provide us feedback on the season and any suggestions for improvement for next season.  We would appreciate you completing the following survey to help us know how to continue to make a successful swim team.
Please complete the following Gator Swim Team survey

Please continue to check the Blog as we set dates for the Fall swim clinic session.  You can subscribe to the blog (see the top left to enter your email) and also like Green Mountain Swim Team on Facebook to keep informed on Gator news.

CANCEL: Olympic night

I guess we weren't meant to watch Michael Phelps from the pool.  I can't complain too much about Mother Nature because she had cooperated throughout the season.  I can't compete with the weather and the pre-season Bronco game.  You will all have to tune in to the Olympics from the comfort of your couch to see the United States take home another Gold medal.

Go for the Gold!  Go Broncos!

Plans for Olympic swimming night

Sorry to be getting this information out so late.  We hope you can make it tonight.

We will plan on watching the Olympic swimming events tonight starting at 7pm at the pool.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  Members get in free and non-members are $5.00 for admission.  Please arrive whenever works best for you.  The pool will be open for swimming until 8pm at which time the guards will close the pool.  We will continue to watch the Olympics until 10:30pm so you are welcome to stay.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Schedule August 8th-August 13th

We are slowly starting to switch our gears from summer swim team to the the upcoming school year.  We wish all the Gators a great 2016-17 school year.

But summer isn't over yet!
If you were not able to attend the banquet and/or swam at State all the ribbons, medals and certificates are in the swimmer folders.  The swimmer folders will be in the Guard Shack at the pool.  Please stop by this week to collect anything that is still in your folder.

Thursday, August 11th we will be watching the Olympics swimming events live from the pool.  It is amazing to see the talented swimmer compete for their country.  The details are still being worked out but the Olympic swimming will be start at 7pm.  Please bring your family and friends to enjoy dinner, swimming and watching swimming at the pool.  More details will be posted but pencil this in on your calendar.  All are welcome as members get in free and guests will pay $5.00 admission.

Thanks for all your team support and we look forward to seeing you one more time.

Starting 
at  7PM MT

Starting 
at  7PM MT

Schedule for week of August 3rd-August 6th

Even though swim team is over we would like to remind you of two upcoming events this week.

On Wednesday, August 3rd we are having a movie night at Green Mountain Swim Club. The movie playing will be SURF'S UP. This event is for swim team swimmers only. 

Please plan on arriving to the pool around 8:15pm as the movie will begin at 8:30pm.  

The swim team will provide some snacks and water but feel free to bring something of your own to snack on. 

Come in your pajamas and bring your blanket and pillow (or something to sit on).  Parents you can drop your swimmer off and return at 10pm to pick them up.

There will be NO swimming on this night.  Parental guidance will be provided.  

On Saturday, August 6th from 10am-8pm the Swim Club will be hosting their swim/dive-a-thon fundraiser.  Please help the pool raise money for facility improvements/repairs.

Each participating swimmer will have 60 minutes to complete as many laps and/or dives as possible.  Each participate will need to bring along a person to count their laps/dives. 
Please help the swim club that we swam at everyday!
Here is a link to sign-up for the time that you want to attend
Here is the Swim/Dive-a-thon pledge form.  Please start collecting pledges and turn after completing your laps/dives.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this fundraiser.  You are also welcome to make a donation to the pool.

Hope to see all the swimmers on Wednesday night to celebrate a wonderful summer swim season.

Gators place 2nd in State

What an amazing way to end the summer swim season!  The Green Mountain Gators placed 2nd in the Colorado Summer Swim Club State meet.  It was amazing to see the energy and determination all the swimmer brought to this meet.  The Gators showed up ready to swim and that is what they did.  Way to go Gators and we are excited for next summer already!

Movie Night at the pool: Wednesday, August 3rd

We would like to end the swim season with a fun (non-swimming) event.  We would like to invite all Gators to a movie night at the pool.  This event is for swimmers only.

Please plan on arriving to the pool around 8:15pm as the movie will begin at 8:30pm.  

We will be showing Surfs Up.

The swim team will provide some snacks and water but feel free to bring something of your own to snack on. 

Come in your pajamas and bring your blanket and pillow (or something to sit on).  Parents you can drop your swimmer off and return to pick them up.  

There will be NO swimming on this night.  Parental guidance will be provided.  

Hope to see you there 

Swimmers of the week

Swimmers of the Week: 

Female: Lexie Lamping! 

Lexie had an outstanding league meet, dropping mad time in every race she had. It wasn't just the time drops, but the way in which she approached each race that really impressed the coaches. Her enthusiasm and confidence in herself combined with her continued effort in practices throughout the year led to major time drops and place improvements. Lexie gave 100% effort this weekend, and was a big part of why the team did so well. 

Great Job Lexie! 

Male: Isaac Perez-Williams 

Isaac had a lights-out meet this weekend. He was clearly in the zone for all of his races, and went after each race with a desire to win. His competitive spirit and focus was fun to be around, and had noticeable effects on his races. No matter the circumstance, relay or individual, ahead or behind, he gave it his all to get to the wall first. 

Great weekend Isaac, well done! 

No night practice

We just wanted to let you know there will be no evening (12& under) or night practice (upper division) this week.  Thank you to all the 12&under swimmers who participated in our first evening practice session and to the upper division and parents who attended the night practice.

We plan on seeing all swimmers and families at the banquet on Wednesday night.

Al Hofstra is the recipient of the FSA Betty Woods award

The Green Mountain Gators would like to recognize Al Hofstra as he received the Betty Woods award this weekend at the 57th FSA League meet.  

The Betty Woods award was created by the Foothills Swim Association in 2010 after Betty passed away.  Betty was a valuable asset to the swim league and they want to carry on her tradition by recognizing people within the League that posses the same qualities and passion for the sport.

The objectives of Foothills Swimming Association are:

1. To promote and encourage competitive aquatics.
2. To promote good sportsmanship in competitive aquatics.
3. To provide an opportunity for summer club swimmers to compete.

This award is created in honor of Betty’s 50+ year contribution to the Foothills Swimming Association.  The award is intended to recognize a person for their contribution to the FSA.  

Nominee: Al Hofstra               Home Team if applicable: Green Mountain Gators

Describe the nominee’s contribution to the Foothills Swimming Association:

I would like to nominate the Betty Woods award to one of the hardest-working contributors to the FSA, Al Hofstra. Al has been working for Green Mountain Swim Club ( a part of the FSA ) for over 10 years. Through his work, he has helped swimmers realize their full potential and has encouraged them to swim. He worked not only as an official during meets, but a swim team board president and has done volunteer work to help maintain the GMSC pool.

Al Hofstra has been a part of the swimming community since he was a child. His parents, Warren and Mary Hofstra, helped found the Terrace Club in the 1960’s, where he swam from age 7 to 17. He earned league titles at ages 8 and 12. When he was 13 the Terrace Club joined FSA. Al also swam on the varsity team for Lincoln High School where he earned an all-city title for the 50 and 100 free. He was also the captain of the swim team at Colorado College, when he joined the Green Mountain Gators as a coach. For two years, Al coached GMST's eight and under age division. In one of the years that he coached, GMSC won League in the eight and under age division. In 2005, his daughter Tess swam as a gator and Al began his volunteer service. He officiated, timed, and maintained the pool. In 2010 he was elected the position of Swim Team board president and head official at Green Mountain, which he held for five years. Even after passing the baton this year, he continues to support both the pool and the FSA team with his work and his wisdom.

A big thank you to Brooke Tompkins who wrote this submission and helped share Al's love for swimming with all of us.

 

End of season banquet: Wednesday, July 27th

Wednesday night we will be celebrating our 2016 Gator swim season.  It is hard to imagine that the summer only began with our first Intrasquad meet 63 days ago.  We would love to see all the swimmers and their support team on this night.  

Wednesday night, July 27th at 5:30 will be our Gator banquet.  The swim team board will be providing pizza and will have water and lemonade available.  We are will having a pot luck style dinner.  If your last name begins with A-L we are asking you to bring a side dish to share and if your last name is M-Z please bring a dessert to share.  Please remember to bring serving utensils with your food item and please take all items with you when you leave.  

During this evening, we will be celebrating all the Gator swimmers.  Please remember to check your swimmer folder before you leave for the evening and collect everything that is in there.  

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Look forward to celebrating the end of an amazing season!