Riptide News Week 4!
Riptide News Week 4
We had another great week of practices! Our swimmers swam hard at the A Meet and while we didn’t win, we came away with 62 new personal bests! We are looking forward to our B meet at Poplar Tree tomorrow night and lots of fun and fast swims! Stay tuned for a Meet Wrap up on Tuesday from Coach Katie for more about our meets this week.
The weather forecast this week is calling for very hot temperatures, please send your swimmer to practice with a water bottle with their name on it so they can stay hydrated.
**Coach Katie will be attending a training with FCPS this week on Tuesday-Friday and will not be at morning practices. Coach Sam will be there along with our fabulous HS and Volunteer coaches. We will also try to have at least one board member on the deck during most practices. Coach Katie is always available via email should you need to reach out to her this week while she is in training.
The Riptide News will come to you through email each week on Sunday, but you can also find it as a news post on our website at SwimTopia.
Lots of news to share this week, as always don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions [email protected].
Riptide Shout Outs:
We’d like to give a Riptide Shout Out to Angela and Rob Lee who completed all 5 of their Riptide Volunteer jobs even though they had a shortened season because their son is headed off to the Naval Academy! Thank you for all you’ve given to Riptide this season and over the years!
We’d like to give a Shout Out to Glen Richardson for stepping in as our announcer at our A Meet when our regular announcer was out of the town this week.
A big Riptide Shout Out to all the parent volunteers from our meets and events this past week. We can’t do it without you!
Have a parent volunteer who is going above and beyond that you’d like to give a Riptide Shout Out to? Email Karen Harris ([email protected]) with your shoutout, we’ll include it in the next Riptide News.
Riptide Swimmer Conduct Reminders: Please take a few moments to review the Riptide Code of Conduct with your swimmer prior to practices this week. As a team we value respect, teamwork, integrity and sportsmanship. Any violations of the Riptide Swimmer Code of Conduct will be handled as stated in the Code of Conduct.
Virginia Run Riptide Code of Conduct (must be signed into your Riptide account to view).
Photography Reminders: To protect our swimmers and according to NVSL/USA Swimming Rule pictures and videos may not be taken from behind the starting area. Please move to another location off to the side to take a picture or video of your swimmer.
Meet Results: Results from all of our meets so far are on our new website! You can visit https://variptide.swimtopia.com/results after every meet to see things meet results, personal bests, and the current team top times (The "ladder").
We ask our families to remember that the ladder is one tool that our coaches use to select swimmers for A meets, but many factors go into those selections. Please remind your swimmers that good sportsmanship means swimmers should not be bragging about their place on the ladder, and should not be getting upset with the coaches if decisions for A meets do not exactly reflect the ladder. If families have questions or concerns about A meet selections, they should be directed to our A-meet reps, not directly to the coaches.
Declare Your Swimmer for Relay Carnival on July 2nd ASAP: If you have not done so already please declare your swimmer for Relay Carnival. Relay Carnival is one of our most fun meets of the season! It includes all the teams in our Division and is only relays. Similar to an A Meet, Coach Katie and Sam will seed each relay team using the team ladder and other available information. It is always a spirited, fast and exciting evening. Please check our website for more details about time and location.
Note: Please expect to volunteer at Relay Carnival if you have a swimmer in the meet. This meet is a special meet beyond our regular meets and would not count toward one of the 5 required volunteer slots.
Photos From Swim Meet and Events: Photos. Our team photographer, Chris Do, has been uploading photos from recent events. Thank you, Chris! You can view them on our website under the Photos link. The password is: bubbles.
In addition, a link has been created for families to upload candid photos (not already on the team website) from meets, pep rallies, practices, and other team activities to be included in our end-of-year video. Throughout the season, please share your photos to our Dropbox: https://virginiarunriptide.smugmug.com/upload/WV4VBg/pu
PICTURE DAY IS COMING!: Friday, June 28, 2025 at VA Run pool. Individual/sibling pictures will begin at 8:00am. Team Picture to follow. Wear this year’s team suit!
This is a link to all parents to register https://forms.gle/DufqyALWt8Y8kHWn8 and QR code if you want to scan it. We will print this form on picture day.
Volunteers: We are very tight on volunteers this summer and truly need everyone to go above and beyond. If you haven’t already signed up for your five required slots, please do so now at the remaining meets so we can plan ahead. (Toni Garcia will be reaching out to you to get those in!) While five volunteer slots is the minimum requirement, in reality we could really use at least six slots from each family to help cover all the needs. Please take a moment to review the remaining events and sign up to volunteer wherever you’re able. Every slot filled makes a big difference! If you have a swimmer that regularly swims both A and B meets, we request that you take on some extra slots. As a last resort, please be aware that if your child is swimming at a meet, you may be asked to help fill any open volunteer positions. We truly need all hands on deck to keep things running smoothly and make this a great summer for the kids!
Spirit Wear: If you do not have your team swimsuit, it is ready to pick up at Cassels (4115 Pleasant Valley Rd), M-F from 10am-6pm.
Need an idea for a buddy gift? We are selling custom Riptide temporary tattoos, 12 for $5.00, at home meets, or by e-mailing Jen Snitselaar ([email protected]).
There's been interest in placing another Hawaiian Shirt order, we need a minimum of 10, please complete the link by 6/24 if interested Hawaiian Tee Second Order . Order takes up to 12 days to arrive.
Starts, Turns and Finishes Clinics: Hopefully the weather will hold and we’ll have our first Starts, Turns and Finishes Clinic this Thursday from 7:00-8:00 at the pool. This a great time for swimmers of all skill levels to brush up on their starts, turns and finishes. Completely optional and open to all swimmers.
LAST DAY! Contact information for 13 and Older Swimmers: Your 13&U Swimmer can now receive Riptide Notices and Information. Please complete this google form to provide your swimmer’s information. One google form should be completed for each 13&U swimmer by June 22nd. This is optional and not required.
Great job to this week’s challenge earners!
Make Waves and Take on the Riptide Challenge: The Riptide Challenge is open to all swimmers this year-everyone can participate.
Ages 8 & Under: Complete a legal freestyle and backstroke to finish the challenge.
Ages 9 & Older: Complete all four legal strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly) plus an Individual Medley (IM) to earn the challenge.
Let’s cheer each other on and celebrate every achievement!
Let's make waves-take on the Riptide Challenge!
LAST WEEK!! Participation Medal: We're excited to celebrate our swimmers' hard work this season! If you would like your swimmer to receive a participation medal at the end of the swim season award banquet, please complete the survey by June 29, 2025. https://forms.gle/zoKTyiEAENUdA2gg6
Questions? Contact Amy Cunningham ([email protected]) or Diane Martin ([email protected]).
Riptide Social Updates:
Thanks to all who participated in our Riptide social events this week. Swimmers had a great time eating donuts after practice, wearing their costumes and carving watermelons at the pep rally.
Upcoming Events:
Friday, 6/27 6pm: Christmas in June! Jingle your way down to JMRC this Friday in your favorite holiday pajamas/onesies to celebrate a Riptide Christmas, where we will be having a Gingerbread decorating contest. We will be building gingerbread scenes out of graham crackers with plenty of sweet treats to decorate with. There will be a small prize for best overall, as well as a couple mystery categories.
Tuesday, 7/1 6pm: Land of the free, home of the Riptide. Sport your Stars and Stripes as we celebrate July 4th (a little early). Come to JMRC ready with your best game face on for a friendly Riptide game of kickball and a coaches pie eating contest. Followed by some ice pops to cool down.
Thank you to our Riptide Sponsors! Our team is grateful for your generous support.
Pin Oak Tree Services
Virginia Run Community
Ciro New York Pizza
Mindy Conway, Long and Foster Real Estate
The Wrinkle Family Scholarship Fund
Cub Scout Pack 2011
Luck Stone
Living Colour
Wholesome NOVA
The Dog Stop
Collegiate Sealers & Paving
Capital Construction of America, Inc.
Cheron Orthodontics
