Stingrays Swimming Newsletter
December 22nd, 2020
Holiday Messages From The Coaches!
Stingrays,
As we come to the end of 2020 (HOORAY) and make plans for 2021, it is always good to reflect on your past and dream of your future.
What I learned from this past year is that we can change when we have to. Our lives were all turned upside down, but we changed to accommodate that. As we look forward to a new year, I know we must keep on adapting and learning a new way that our lives are going to be.
Don't resist change, grow with change
Coach Ian
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Stingrays!
2020 is (mercifully) coming to an end. *Close your eyes* *Take a deep breath*
Now...
Think back to last March, approximately 27 months ago. What was it like? Not a care in the world beyond school and swim meets.
We were getting ready for Divisionals and a mere 2 weeks before Spring Break.
Then BAM! The 'Rona comes to town and shifts everything we know around. (Didn't mean for that to rhyme, but...cool!)
Our old "normal" set sail for destinations unknown and a new "normal" rolled in. Inconvenient. Anxious. Fearful. But, there's more to this than just that. Some other things came with it. Read on.
I believe that, to a large extent, the shifting around of our lives, schedules and ways of going about things has done some real, deep good in us, too. See if you don't agree:
1. We now, if not sooner, realize just how important we are to one another.
2. We appreciate our time together because our lives are intertwined.
3. We think about the well-being of others more often.
4. We have learned or are learning the value of time to ourselves.
5. We have seen the fleeting nature and even the unimportance of material things apart from our need for one another.
6. We have grown closer.
7. We have (or, many have) separated, or at least reduced time, from many poisonous social media outlets.
I could go on, but you get the picture. However difficult this year has been, I am grateful to have traveled this road with Stingrays. As I pray for wisdom and courage each day and night, I do so with a deep gratitude for the gift that is Stingrays.
Keep on Keepin' on, Rays!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy New Year!
Coach Pike
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Hey Rays! Greetings from Coach Larry here! Our 2020 Covid-19 “competitive” season ended on a thrilling high note last weekend with our swimmers showing off best times, great technique, team enthusiasm and spirit. Outside of my swimming life is the joy and affection I have for my wife B.J. and our family. All four of our sons are healthy and...employed. Our particular joy in 2020 Covid time is the birth of two grandsons: John Paul Kvam Baskin of San Diego, CA and Archer Douglas Baskin of Jacksonville, FL who joins is now talkative caring little sister Kendall Bayleigh Baskin. That makes three Baskin “grands.” How great our joy! We celebrate Christmas with hope, faith, and love. We love you Stingrays. May Christmas time be for you, full of hope, merry, and full of the light of life.
-Coach Larry
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2020 has been a year of ups and downs but one thing that has always been consistent is our RAYS NATION. When times got tough, we all stuck together and got through it, as a community.
We have had an amazing season (so far!) – even in the face of such adversity. Through all of the Zoom meetings, dryland on your own, canceled swim practices … the list goes on. We have adapted and readapted at every turn and solved whatever problem we were faced with. Although we might not recognize it in the moment, I think a lot of positive growth has happened this year and we will be better off for it. Our resiliency shows that if you want something bad enough, you will find a way to make it happen.
As we slow things down this week and take some time to unwind, be truly proud of everything you have achieved this year - and start to get excited for the endless possibilities next year can bring! A group of determined, resilient, and enthusiastic young people is an exciting collective that can accomplish anything. GO RAYS!
Happy Holidays,
Coach Mark
Holiday Practice Schedule
We will return starting Monday, December 28th.
Here is our schedule for the week of Dec 28th-Jan 2nd:
GA Swimming Virtual Can Food Drive
For the last 6 years, the LSC has done a can food drive at our LSC Winter Championship meets, but due to COVID-19, we are going virtual this year. We have looked at this as a divisional type championship can drive. our five athlete reps are representing each division and have chosen a food bank to sponsor. We need your help in raising the can foods that are needed. So, to make this happen, every $1.00 that is donated will represent 1 can of food that the food bank will receive. You can donate via our form and the link is below.
The athlete reps will be sending out emails and videos via social media platforms to talk about their food banks and to rally the teams to get involved. This is an LSC event and we want everyone to help out. So many families have been affected by COVID-19 and many are looking to food banks for that support to put food on the table.
DONATE BELOW!
Family Commitment Fee
The Swim-A-Thon is a great opportunity to help offset the $150 Family Commitment Fee. Although the commitment charge is mandatory, the Swim-A-Thon gives the swimmer's family the opportunity to defray costs by involving extended family and friends raising money that would otherwise have been a direct charge to the swimmer's family. All funds contributed by the swimmer's family and friends are 100% tax-deductible!
This year, the Family Commitment Fee will be divided into two installments of $75 each (December 1st and January 1st). This will be the case for everyone. If a swimmer registers in December, the commitment charge is $100; in January $75; in February 1st $50; in March $25 which is invoiced on the day they register. Email Billing coachian@stingraysswimming.com for any questions.