Program Information
Programs
Recreational Program
Pool Schedule 2010 - 2011
For detailed documents for the:
a) Competitive Program, click here
b) Recreational Program, click here
Equipment Needed
At the first practice the swimmer will need to have the following equipment: bathing suit, goggles, nose clips, and bathing cap. Nose clips and bathing caps will be available for purchase at registration.
Cancellation Policy
Refund of fees on a prorated basis MAY be granted provided notice has been issued to the club two weeks prior to withdrawal. Affiliation fees are not refundable. If a swimmer withdraws from the program after January 15th, a refund WILL NOT be issued unless a physician’s certificate is supplied. All monies generated towards the athlete’s fundraising account are not subject to refund at any time.
Travel Policy
Travel to meets/competitions and skill development camps are done as a club. Parents may travel with the club, space permitting. Travel will be by bus, whenever possible. SAQ makes every effort to travel as economically as possible. All members of a team are expected to stay together as one unit while attending meets, competitions or camps. A parent chaperone is responsible for all team members for the duration of the trip except where the team coach assumes responsibility. If an overnight stay at a hotel is necessary, the SAQ travel coordinator will arrange accommodation and the coach will assign rooms to swimmers.
Fundraising
The Saskatoon Aqualenes have a fundraising requirement amount for all competitive athletes. This amount can either be paid for in full or you have the option of participating in several fundraising opportunities throughout the year to assist in raising funds to meet this requirement. Any money you raise will be put directly into your swimmer’s “fundraising account”. When fundraising cheques are due (November and April), the required amount will be subtracted from your account and your cheque will NOT be processed. If only a portion of the amount required is available, you will be notified as to how much is left owing and that amount will be collected at that time. If you fundraise more than the minimum requirement you can use the extra funds to pay for such things as competitions, bathing suits or even monthly fees.
Some of the fundraising opportunities the club has offered in the past include both working opportunities as well as selling products. Working opportunities include such things as working at car raffle tables for CNIB and Sask. Association for Community Living, delivering phone books, bottle drives, spring barbecue, running coat checks and working bingos. We have sold products such as Christmas items from a catalogue through Lamontagne, Mom’s Pantry, frozen cookie dough, chocolates, meats, Safeway coupon books and hockey draft tickets.
Although the above fundraising opportunities are all optional, the Saskatoon Aqualenes do require everyone to take part in one mandatory annual fundraiser. It is a steak night that is held early in the fall, and all families are required to purchase 4 tickets to this event at time of registration.
If you have any further questions about how the Saskatoon Aqualenes fundraising program works please feel free to call our fundraising coordinator, Dianne Janzen, bdjanzen@hotmail.com, Ph# 384-5622.
Volunteers
The Saskatoon Aqualenes have a history of great volunteers. Parents operate the club with the help of our excellent coaches. We rely on the time our volunteers give in order to ensure the smooth operation of our club. More help is always needed. Please consider giving your time and agreeing to fill a board position. Without parent volunteers there would be no club.
This year the Saskatoon Aqualenes are hosting two competitions. Each family is expected to volunteer a minimum of two shifts at each competition.
Parent Meetings
A meeting will be scheduled at the start of the season with each team.
Wardrobe
The wardrobe coordinator will be holding a wardrobe night later in the fall. The club is able to purchase swim caps, nose clips and competitive bathing suits at a price that is usually cheaper than retail. Team jackets are required for competitive swimmers. Jackets will be sized and ordered at the wardrobe night. These jackets will be worn at all meets/competitions and camps. In addition, each team will have a competition team swimsuit. Each swimmer will be expected to purchase this swimsuit.
Competitions
The competition schedule for the 2010/2011 season is as follows:
2010
Marnie Eistetter Element Meet and Camp, Awards Banquet, November 13 - 14, Saskatoon
2011
Diane Lemon Invitational 29 January to 30 January Regina
Canada Winter Games 20 February to 27 February Halifax, Nova Scotia
Sandy Roberts National Age Group Provincials 12 March to 13 March Saskatoon
Eastern/Atlantic Divisionals and AWAD 15 March to 20 March Etobicoke, Ontario
Western Divisionals and AWAD 24 March to 27 March Regina, Saskatchewan
Sadie Caulder Knight Provincial Age Group Provincials 16 April to 17 April Saskatoon
Canadian Open Championships 27 April to 01 May Calgary, Alberta
Junior National Team Selection Camp 2 May to 03 May Calgary, Alberta
MASY Challenge 13 May to 15 May Winnipeg, Manitoba
Canadian Masters Championships 13 May to 15 May Scarborough, Ontario
Canadian Espoir Championships 1 June to 05 June TBA
13-15 National Team Selection Camp 6 June to 07 June TBA
The competitions each team attends will be determined by the coach after consultation with the parents.
Swimming Start Dates
The competitive swimming program begins in early September. The swim schedule following that date will be communicated to each team by their coach.
All cheques should be made payable to Saskatoon Aqualenes (SAQ) and for returning swimmers they can be mailed to: Cindy Yelland, Registrar, 134 Skeena Crescent, Saskatoon, S7K 4G6. New swimmers are encouraged to attend on one of the registration nights.
Phone:
Cindy 249-6284, or Laurie 651-2500 for more information.
This program is suggested for those new to synchronized swimming and/or those who want to learn basic synchronized swimming skills. At the FUNdamental stage, children learn the basics of Synchro and have fun in the process. They learn that the water is an ideal place for creative play – a world where they can float, fly, flip, twist, and dream. Trained instructors provide a safe and stimulating learning environment where children are introduced to all fundamental movement skills and begin to build overall motor skills.
We offer three different levels in our recreational program.
Aqua Giggles I is for 5 – 7 year olds.
New to Synchro is for 8 + year olds.
At the discretion of the coaches swimmers may be grouped by age and/or ability.
The time, location and cost of each program is outlined below. In addition, to the fees outlined below each family is required to purchase four steak night tickets for the cost of $60.00. The steak night will be held early in the fall. Fees may be paid on an annual, monthly or semi-annual basis. Please see the chart below for more information.
The recreational program starts in late September and runs until the end of April.
Recreational Pool Schedule
Aqua Giggles I - 5 to 7 year olds
YWCA - Fridays: 5 – 6:30 pm
Recreational – 8 years old and up
YWCA
– Saturdays: 3:15 – 5 pm
Age Level Structure
We offer several different levels in our competitive program. This program is suggested for those swimmers that have learned basic synchronized swimming skills and are ready for a new challenge. Synchro Canada is in the process of implementing an age level system. The Saskatoon Aqualenes have decided to adopt this model in preparation for this change. 10 and under is the first level an athlete competes in and the levels go up to 15 – 21 plus. The training hours differ between the age levels. The skills learned in this competitive program will be focused on further developing the skills from the Fundamentals program and learning as many synchro specific skills as possible, including flexibility, strength, and speed development.
If a swimmer wants to directly enter the competitive program this may be possible if the coaches determine the swimmer is ready for the competitive program and capable of learning the required skills. Please contact Laurie Wachs, the Head Coach, at 651-2500 if you want to discuss this possibility.
10 and under – Learning to Train: Building skills for Synchro and for Life (Provincial Stream
Athletes at the Learning to Train stage discover what Synchro is all about and how fun it can be. Coaches establish a culture of challenge and fun as they address the windows of trainability for suppleness, stamina and skill. While the athlete becomes acquainted with Synchro-specific skills and techniques, they continue to develop fundamental movement and motor skills, build a strong fitness base, and fall in love with the sport. Talent identification occurs at the end of this stage and is based on a number of factors, including suppleness, skill and genetic predisposition to the sport.
2 times per week pool training – Monday (6:30 – 8:30 pm) and Saturday (1 – 3 pm)
2 times per week dry land training – TBA – It will be held in conjunction with the pool times.
12 and under – Train to Train: Loving Challenges, building Pride (Provincial Stream)
At the Training to Train stage, athletes learn that hard work can be rewarding and fun. They enjoy the sense of pride and satisfaction that comes when meeting a challenge head on. During this stage, trained coaches address the window of accelerated adaptation to aerobic, speed, and strength training in order to maximize the athlete’s development. During competitions, athletes compete to achieve their best, but the major focus of training is on building an aerobic base and consolidating Synchro-specific skills as opposed to competing.
3 times per week pool training – Monday (6:30 – 8:30 pm), Wednesday (6:30 to 8:30 pm) and Saturday (1-3 pm)
3 times per week dry land/cross training – TBA – It will be held in conjunction with the pool times.
13-15 – Training to Train: Loving Challenges: Building Pride (National Stream)
At the Training to Train stage, athletes learn that hard work can be rewarding and fun. They enjoy the sense of pride and satisfaction that comes when meeting a challenge head on. During this stage, trained coaches address the window of accelerated adaptation to aerobic, speed, and strength training in order to maximize the athlete’s development. During competitions, athletes compete to achieve their best, but the major focus of training is on building an aerobic base and consolidating Synchro-specific skills as opposed to competing.
4 – 5 times per week pool training – Monday (6:30 – 8:30 pm), Wednesday (6:30 – 8:30 pm), Thursday (6:30 – 8:30 pm) and Saturday (1-5 pm)
3 times per week dry land/cross training – TBA – It will be held in conjunction with the pool times.
15 – 21 plus – Training to Compete: We know greatness will result from our passion (National Stream)
At the Training to Compete stage, athletes learn that their passion for Synchro shines through in competition. Their demanding sport specific physical, tactical, and technical training programs are preparing them for the challenges of performance. They set individual and team goals and enjoy the satisfaction of reaching them. The athletes are now proficient at performing basic Synchro specific skills and can perform their skills under a variety of competitive conditions during training. At this stage, talent identification and an athlete’s ambitions will largely determine whether she pursues national or international stream of training and competition.
7 times per week for Canada Games Track athletes pool training – Tuesday/Friday (5:15 – 7:15 am), Monday – Thursday (6:30 – 8:30 pm) and Saturday (9 am– 1 pm)
5 times per week for non-Canada Games athletes’ pool training – Monday – Thursday (6:30 – 8:30 pm) and Saturday (1-5 pm) – Training amount is open for discussion
3 times per week dry land/cross training – TBA – It will be held in conjunction with the pool times.
For information on the fees payable for each age group please see the chart at the end of this document.
Back to Top
Solos and/or Duets
Extra routines must be approved by the team and head coach. It will be within their discretion to determine whether any swimmer is eligible to perform a solo and/or duet. If an extra routine is approved the fees will be $78.00 a month, or $351.00 twice, or $702.00 once.
Privates
Private Lessons are not mandatory and are available for those swimmers who wish to work one-on-one with a Coach to enhance their swimming skills. Swimmers must arrange a Private Lesson Coach themselves. They must pay an agreed upon fee to the coach for the coach’s time. In addition, you will be required to pay SAQ $7.50 to pay for pool and lifeguard costs. This amount will be paid to the coach at each private by either cheque addressed to SAQ or cash. The coach will be paid separately.
Mondays |
|
|
Tuesdays |
|
|
Wednesdays |
|
|
Thursdays |
|
|
Fridays |
|
|
Saturdays |
|
|
You will need Acrobat Reader to view PDF documents. This link to Adobe provides instructions to download and install the Reader free of charge.