Riptide News Week 7!!
Riptide News Week 7
Wow! We have almost reached the finish line. Just a handful of last items for the Riptide News.
Keep an eye out for our LAST Riptide News later this week (not on a Sunday this time!) with last minute reminders and our End of Season Survey. We ask that all families take a few moments to fill out the survey and provide us with feedback. We used last year's feedback to make several critical adjustments this year and will do the same with any new feedback from this year. Thanks in advance for your thoughtful responses!
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].
NVSL Division Seeding: A small committee of NVSL volunteers spend about 100-200 hours looking at and considering a multitude of factors to seed each team into a division for the upcoming season. Their goal is to make the best decision for every team in the NVSL. Decisions about which division a team will be placed in are not made solely based on a team’s record in a single season. Every team receives a Seeding Survey to complete each year. Team reps provide insight on the make up of the current team, predictions about the team make up for the following season and reflections on each A meet. The committee uses the survey information in conjunction with other indicators of the strength of the team to make the best decision for each team. If you have more questions about how the NVSL does division seeding, please reach out to Karen Harris.
Riptide Shout Outs:
A Big Riptide Shout Out to ALL our volunteers, we couldn't have a successful season without you!
A Big Riptide Shout Out to Jessica Pettiford for her awesome job with B Meet Concessions this season. She was new to the position and she did an great job!
A Big Riptide Shout out to the Anyalebechi Family! They always go above and beyond and volunteer whenever needed.
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 andaccording 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.
Photos From Swim Meet and Events: 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
Videos and Pictures Needed!: We need your videos! A link has been created for families to upload candid photos and videos from meets, pep rallies, practices, and other team activities to be included in our end-of-year video. Please share your photos to our Dropbox: https://virginiarunriptide.smugmug.com/upload/WV4VBg/pu
Divisionals Seeding: Coach Katie and Coach Sam are working on the seeding for Divisionals. The final seeding will come out on Wednesday.
Divisionals T-Shirts: Poplar Heights will be our Division 6 Divisionals host and is selling Divisionals t-shirts now! Please fill out this Sign Up Genius to pre-order your shirt. There will be a table set up at Divisionals on Saturday for families to pay for and pick up any shirts that were pre-ordered. There will be a very limited number of shirts to buy on the day of Divisionals so pre-order now. All pre orders are due by noon on Tuesday, July 15th-the turn around is quick!
 | Divisional T Shirts Pre-order T shirts are $15 and guaranteed size available. We will have extras at the meet but they will be $20 and limited sizing. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you! |
Last call for Spirit Wear: If you are in need of a swim cap, Riptide t-shirt ($5-$10), or VR tattoos, we have you covered. Also, limited stock of 2025 tees for $20. You can e-mail Jen Snitselaar ([email protected]) to coordinate.
Winter Swim Options: For swimmers who have not mastered the basics or are not looking for a more than 1 day a week commitment, we recommend looking at Virginia Run's Winter Program. Why should the fun stop when summer ends? Dive into VR Winter Swim and keep the momentum going all year long! Our off-season program helps summer swimmers stay strong, sharpen technique, and build confidence in a supportive, high-energy environment. Whether you're chasing personal bests or just looking to shake off the winter blues, Winter Swim keeps you connected, conditioned, and ready to fuel the Riptide next summer. Registration details — for swimmers and volunteer coaching opportunities — are coming soon! Questions: Wendy Wall at [email protected]
If your swimmer is looking to progress to the next level, you may want to consider joining a club swim ("winter swim" or "year round swim") team! These programs are primarily for swimmers who have already mastered the basics of all 4 strokes and are looking to fine tune their technique and improve their endurance.
There are also several club swim teams in our area - we've listed a few of the closest for your convenience. All of these teams are great and have multiple practice locations, so look around to figure out which one might work best for your family. Sign ups for the fall and winter are happening now, so check them out!
Riptide Gives Back: Thank you to everyone who donated food or toiletries during our Riptide Gives Back week!
Coach Appreciation Bags-ONE MORE DAY!: Our coaches are super awesome, let's show our appreciation by filling their treat bags. The bags are located in the guard office and there is a bag for each coach including our volunteer coaches. A list of what the coaches like is posted on the board in the guard office, but feel free to fill with any treats you think they'd like!
Riptide Social Updates:
Last Day of Regular Practice – Watermelon & Cookies
This Tuesday, July 15thwill be the last day of regular practice for all swimmers. Coach Katie will give out guidance for Divisional swimmers. To celebrate the last day, we will be doing watermelon and cookies for all swimmers after the ALL AGE Group practice that begins at 9:30am.
This Saturday: Virginia Run Riptide's 2025 End of Season Pool Party!
Come celebrate the end of another amazing season with the Virginia Run Riptide swimmers on Saturday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pool.
This party will feature favorite Riptide traditions, including an awards ceremony, dance party with DJ Ryan, fun desserts, and our end-of-season video!
We're also bringing back a new favorite - the Riptide cookie swap table! Who will have the best chocolate chip cookie this year?!
This family-friendly event will be limited to swimmers and their immediate household.
We can't wait to see everyone to celebrate our wonderful season! We will send out more details mid-week. No RSVP needed, this is a free event.
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
