Swim Team wrap-up – including 2025 Meet Schedule!

Our Southampton Swordfish had a fantastically, fun 2024 summer swim season!  Our team continued to soar and again won all 6 dual meets, winning the regular season, and pulled off a Four-Peat, winning the JRAC Championship Meet! We couldn’t have done it without our 310+ strong team members.  Each contributed in some manner, from swimming their hearts out at meets to cheering on teammates.

Huge THANKS to our coaches, Head Coach Mike Peters, Assistant Head Coach Emily Sultan, Carter Meagher, Ann Tanner Mullins, Annie Mears, and Liam Harbour who guided our team to victory and made for a fun and safe swim season for our swimmers. We also want to thank Sierra Durrette, Sofia Fulco, Maxine Batten, and Temple Barrett who assisted our coaches on deck when extra help was needed.

We want to thank everyone who supported our Summer Clinics and our Clinician, Joshua Fisher, for leading these!  The swimmers who took advantage of the clinics saw huge improvements and enjoyed the small group environment.

Thank you to all of our family volunteers.  No other team in JRAC has as many dedicated parents/family members, who selflessly step up to help in any capacity.  A swim director of another bigger JRAC team referred to us as the Unicorn of teams because of our amazing parent volunteers. YOU are the reason that our team is a well-oiled machine and makes our job easy!!

Lastly, we want to announce our new Swim Team Co-Director, Kati Batten! Jenn has completed her term, and Kati is assisting Ashley.  Kati is a parent to Maxine, Maisy, and Sully and is excited to help carry on the SRA traditions!!

Stay tuned for an upcoming fall spirit night and look for information about our 2025 Spring Swim Clinic and 2025 team registration in February. Swim practice will begin in May.  The timing of swim meets will be the same as last season.  Please mark your calendar with the 2025 swim meet dates below:

Monday, June 2

Monday, June 9

Monday, June 16

Monday, June 23

Monday, June 30

Monday, July 7

Champs:  Wednesday, July 16

Have a great school year Swordfish!!

Strength & Honor! Cathy Durrette & Ashley Barrett & Kati Batten

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We already miss you at the Snack Bar and we are looking forward to Summer 2025!

We are so grateful for your support this last summer – it was a busy one as always – we thought you might be interested in some of the SB stats:

• Number 1 Seller: Smoothies! (1821)
• Number 2 Seller: Quesadillas (1777)
• Number 3 Seller: Burgers (Regular Plus Beyond!) (1280)

We set a record for Superman and Caesar salads this year – 533!

We had 21 great kids working in the Snack bar managing other athletic and school schedules and I hope you can see their camaraderie – they really are a happy bunch. We LOVED all the artwork that came our way this summer, hopefully you saw some of it displayed on the fridges.

Hoping your fall is going well and see you soon!

— Your friends at the Snack Bar

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President’s Letter – Spring 2024

What a great year for SRA… so far! There’s so much more happening for the rest of the year. Now more than ever, SRA is a YEAR-ROUND club!

This calendar year with a delicious Chili Cook-off and another adorable and successful Ice Revue. Our summer pool season was bookended by a fantastic Spring Fling and bigger-than-ever Summer Sendoff. In between were lots of snack bar grill nights, a killer July 4 extravaganza, yet another championship swim team season, and so many other memory-making events and activities.

If you STILL are wondering whether an SRA membership is the best value in town, then just remember that all the details for another skating season are coming right now! Our annual trunk or treat has now grown to be the SRA Halloween Bash! And we’ll have more spectacular winter events – with some special surprise announcements coming soon.

Next year may be our biggest year yet. It’s SRA 75, where we celebrate the club’s diamond jubilee – including our ALL NEW baby pool area! (Of course, please pardon our mess as construction will be happening throughout the winter and into spring.) Stay tuned for more exciting events and announcements – and let us know how you want to help. No matter how far forward we move, the spirit of volunteering is still an essential part of the SRA community.

Thanks so much for being a member of the BEST recreation association in Richmond… and maybe the world?!?! See you soon at SRA!

Rich Meagher
SRA Board President 2023-24

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Swim Team – 2024 Season Preview!

Welcome to another fun-filled Southampton Swordfish Swim Team summer swim season! Our team practice schedule, calendar and general information can be found here: https://www.teamunify.com/team/vassst/page/home. Here is some important information for you to know!

Registration

Swim team registration will be online through our SRA Team Unify site and open April 1st. A space will be held for your swimmer once the registration form is submitted along with payment (online during registrations or via check) and one JRAC league waiver per swimmer (link to this form will also be provided during the registration process and on our website). When registering in TeamUnify, please note that everyone will be a new member.

If you have questions about registration, please email swim team directors, Jenn Walker and Ashley Barrett, at sraswimteam@gmail.com. All swimmers must be registered by May 24 in order to participate in the first meet on Sunday June 2nd or Monday June 3 (final date TBD).

Fees

• 5-16-year-olds: $115 ($120 after 5/29)
• 17–18-year-olds: $30 ($35 after 5/29)
• Families with 3 or more swimmers: 3rd or more swimmers $55 ($60 after 5/29)

Do you have a new swimmer?

To join the team, a child must be at least five years old and able to swim one length of the pool without assistance. Children new to the team (and who haven’t been on another swim team) must have an assessment with a swim coach to be certain that they are ready for the practice environment. Our 2024 assessments will be held on Sunday May 12 from 5:15 pm – 6:00 pm at SwimRVA. Our coaches will work with children one-on-one to determine readiness. To schedule an assessment for a new swimmer, please email us at sraswimteam@gmail.com. If you have a four year old that you think may be team ready, they are invited to attend the assessment; however our coaches may suggest waiting until the next year.  If you are unable to attend the assessment, coaches can assess during the first week of practice but we ask that new swimmers not participate in practice until the coaches have had an opportunity to meet and work with them.

Age Group Designations

The age of your swimmer(s) as of June 1, 2024, will determine which age group they will participate in:

• 8-and-Unders (ages 5–8)
• 9–10
• 11–12
• 13–14
• 15–18 (Swimmers who turn 19 after June 1 may swim the entire season)

A Note about New Swimmers:

Some swimmers in their first year on the team will not be ready to practice with the older or more experienced swimmers in their age group. For our 8-and-unders, we will divide these swimmers into lanes to practice with a coach who can work with them on the skills they need to advance to swimming with the rest of the group.  We will also be offering summer stroke and meet-ready small group clinics so stay tuned for more information!

About Practice

Many parents worry about how summer camps and vacations will affect swim practice. Please let the coaches know if your child will be away from practice for an extended time. Though we always recommend regular age group practice attendance — it helps your child make friends with teammates and become a better swimmer — we understand that situations arise where flexibility helps. Please let us know if you have short-term conflicts. Our coaches will be as flexible as possible and can arrange for your child to attend another practice for a short time.

Team Suits

The SRA team suit is a polyester suit in navy, blue and gold, and it is imprinted with our Swordfish team logo! While swimmers are encouraged to wear our team suit, any previous year’s suits are welcome as well. Suits are available for fittings and to purchase at the Disco Sports store on Starling Drive. We encourage all families to attend SRA Day at Disco Sports on Wednesday, May 15, 10:00am – 7:00 pm, to be fitted for a suit (Dolfin suits run smaller than some other brands) and purchase any other items needed for the season. Disco will have special deals on practice suits and goggles, and they will be donating a portion of the sales that day to our team!

Swim Team Communications

If you would like to receive the latest and greatest news about the swim team and are not already receiving swim team emails, contact the directors at sraswimteam@gmail.com or the SRA office at sra2office@gmail.com. Email is the primary and best way for our coaches and volunteers to communicate with you. We also post updates, events, pictures and more on our Facebook group page. Search for Southampton Swordfish Swim Team and follow the prompts to join.

JRAC:

James River Aquatic Club (JRAC) is the summer swim  league in which SRA participates.  To learn about JRAC and keep up with all of the JRAC happenings, you can visit their website: http://jracsummerswim.org/ or follow them on social media at:  Facebook – JRAC in RVA, Instagram – @jracrva and Twitter – JRACinRVA.

Other Important Things to Know:

Our mottos: “Don’t Mess with the S” and “Strength & Honor”!

Questions?

Contact Swim Team Directors Jenn Walker and Ashley Barrett at sraswimteam@gmail.com.

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President’s Letter – Spring 2024

Hello and welcome to another great year at SRA!

It is my privilege to serve as SRA Board President this year. Over the past few years, I’ve watched us roll out some of the best volunteer Boards in the history of this organization! We have lots of smart, dedicated people with terrific expertise; they are thinking big and planning for the future.

You see it all around campus, with new umbrellas, new concrete walkways, bottle fillers, a renovated clubhouse, and a newly paved parking lot. You’ve seen it with our vibrant and unique ice program, which just had another banner year with an amazing Ice Revue and new hockey sweaters. You’ll see it this year with a revitalized tennis program, with new faces, camps and clinics, and even more pickleball.

But your Board is also solving the less visible, but still important, problems that come with decades of old infrastructure – drainage, plumbing, electrical work. You might not notice the repaired light switches or new railroad ties, but they are just as important in keeping SRA strong. While we are not an HOA, corporation, or fancy country club — and we don’t want to be! — we can still take the right steps to be careful stewards of our facilities and member resources, while planning for the future.

And the future is bright. Next year brings SRA 75 – a celebration of 75 years of SRA! We’ll be hosting special events, offering new features and exciting opportunities, and maybe even a little fundraising :). Plus we’ll see the launch of our most ambitious project yet – a new baby pool area that will help make our youngest members time here even more special than it already is. We aim to reveal the new plans for the baby pool at our new Spring Fling event on Sunday, April 27.

Stay tuned for more info about that event, as well as more news. Feel free to grab me or any board member when you see us around and find out more. While you’re at it, thank a guard this summer for keeping us safe and think about volunteering for a clean-up day or helping with an event or party. We are a friendly, volunteer-based community and that’s what makes us special.

Thanks so much for being a member of the BEST recreation association in Richmond… and maybe the world?!?! See you soon at SRA!

Rich Meagher
SRA Board President 2023-24

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Swordfish Cafe – Looking Ahead to Summer 2024!

Hello again from the Swordfish Café! We are excited to see you around the pool this summer! We have a great new crew of employees starting and many familiar faces from last year who are looking forward to happy days in the SB (as we call the Snack Bar).

We will begin our service when swim team begins practice so don’t be shy and come on over and visit! We will have meals, smoothies, and ice cream from the start since we know how those May days can be busy with nothing in the fridge – we’ve got you covered! Feel free to come put money in your account during those first few weeks of the year as well.

Populating Accounts and Two Windows on Memorial Day Weekend

We will be running TWO windows Memorial Day Weekend as that is a very busy time of year and members are populating their accounts and getting acclimated to the menu. We do try our best to design a system where you don’t have to wait in long lines. Please look for signage those days to divide and conquer the wait time!

Summer Hours and Offerings

Once the pool is open, we will have lunch and dinner options and tasty snacks. We will offer 20+ different kinds of beverages, our ice cream selections from Hershey’s, Island Way Sorbet, chips and guacamole or salsa, apples and Nutella or peanut butter, candy and candy bars (try a frozen York Peppermint Patty on a hot day – for $0.25 it is very refreshing!). We will have some new soft pretzel varieties along with quesadillas, BLTs, grilled cheese, pasta, chicken strips, corn dogs, and hotdogs.

We will post our summer hours and specials at the Snack Bar windows and on the SRA Facebook page. Please note, we do close if there is inclement weather.

If you haven’t tried a Superman Salad, then 2024 is the year! They are very healthy and filling. They are custom with a selection of greens, veggies, cheeses, nuts, and salad dressings.

Friday Family Night Grill and Entertainment

We plan to return to our tradition of cookouts on many Friday nights, weather permitting. Stop by after swimming or one of the tennis clinics and have a delicious dinner while you relax to music or other planned activities.

We will be featuring again our specialty burgers (including Impossible burger option) hot off the grill, which include cheese (several varieties), lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, onions (grilled or raw) ketchup/mustard/BBQ/Mayo, jalapenos, pineapple (grilled or not), sautéed mushrooms. Depending on the week we may also have bratwurst or chicken sausage, grilled Chicken sandwiches or Grilled Chicken Caesar Salads.

Deposits and Accounts

We will have Snack Bar Accounts as usual. For returning members: your accounts that will be populated with any residual balance you may have had at the end of last summer.

When you add a deposit to your account, you will receive a receipt/copy from our new deposit book. Please help us remember if we are busy and it is overlooked. Each deposit should be recorded in our receipt book and signed by a snack bar employee and the customer before it is entered into the computer system. This helps us and you keep accurate records!

We do take checks (made out to SRA) to populate the accounts as well. You can also bring them to the office before the pool opens to stock up your account for Day 1.

Our employees greatly appreciate tips! Please consider tipping in the cash jar or when making a credit card payment. Our pay structure is planned in such a way, that your recognition of their service is a significant part of their incentive for providing excellent customer service.

PLEASE, please talk to the kiddos about using their OWN accounts only. Our kids at the window do get to know our customers but we do depend on the honesty and integrity of our clients to tell us their own name. Please be prepared to spell it as well and check your balance regularly. We do not allow negative balances.

See you around the pool VERY SOON!

— Your friends at the Snack Bar

The post Swordfish Cafe – Summer ’24 Preview appeared first on Southampton Recreation Association.

• Number 1 Seller: Smoothies! (1604)
• Number 2 (again): Mighty Mini Ice cream Sandwiches (1409)
• Number 3: Pretzels (1341)
• Number 4: Moose tracks (1014)

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Please support SRA Ice Skating with a festive holiday wreath! This is a great way to get or give your holiday wreaths, while supporting our unique ice program. Gift a wreath to family, friends, church groups, other sports teammates, teachers, neighbors, etc., or just keep them for yourself! These are beautiful, fresh 22” wreaths that make perfect gifts for all!

A new item has been added this season:  a 10 foot fresh cut western cedar garland.

Garlands and wreaths are each $35. You can download an order form below. Forms will be available at all skating events; or you can just bring a check made out to SRA with ‘wreath’ and any additional order info in the memo. Wreaths and garlands will arrive to the clubhouse for pickup during the first week of December.

All orders must be placed by NOVEMBER 15. 

Download the order form here

Thanks for supporting the SRA Ice Program!

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Important Swim Team updates for 2024 – including Swim Meet Schedule!

The Southampton Swordfish had a fantastically fun 2023 summer swim season! Our team continued to soar and again won all 6 dual meets, winning the regular season, and pulled off a Three-Peat, winning the JRAC Championship Meet! We couldn’t have done it with-out the 310+ strong team members. Each contributed in some manner, from swimming their hearts out at meets to cheering for teammates.

New Swim Records

Our swimmers also took down 4 of the 7 new records at champs. We wanted to acknowledge Joshua fisher and Piper Price for their individual records. We also had two record breaking relays: Senior Medley Re-lay team, (Joshua Fisher, Piper Price, John Loftin, and Charlotte Ratliff) and the 11-12 Free Relay team (Thor Akesson, Chloe Krost, Harvey Trivette, and Brantley Patterson).

Special Thanks to…

Huge THANKS to our coaches, Head Coach Mike Peters, Assistant Head Coach Skylar Mullins, Porter Hudgins, Carter Meagher, and Ann Tanner Mullins who guided our team to victory and made for a fun and safe swim season for our swimmers. We also want to thank Sierra Durrette, Sofia Fulco, Maxine Batten and Hana Walker, who assisted our coaches on deck when extra help was needed.

We want to thank everyone who supported our Summer Swim Clinics and our Clinician, Joshua Fisher, for leading these! The swimmers that took advantage of the clinics saw huge improvements and enjoyed the small group environment. We will be looking to enhance the clinics next year so feel free to provide feedback!

Lastly, thank you to all our family volunteers. No other team in JRAC has as many dedicated parents and family members, who selflessly step up to help in any capacity. A swim director of another big JRAC team referred to us as the Unicorn of teams because of our amazing parent volunteers. YOU are the reason that our team is a well-oiled machine and makes our job easy!!

New Leadership

Lastly, we want to announce our new Swim Team Co-Director, Ashley Barrett! With Cathy completing her term, Ashley is stepping in to assist Jenn. Ashley is mom to Temple, Layton and Lenna and will do a fantastic job carrying on the SRA traditions!!

New Meet Schedule

Stay tuned for an upcoming fall spirit night and look for information about our 2024 Spring Swim Clinic and 2024 team registration in February. Swim practice will begin in May. In light of schools ending and starting earliery, there will be some changes to our 2024 meet schedule as noted below to give families more vacation time before school starts.

Please mark your calendar with our 2024 meet schedule as follows:

• Monday, June 3

• Monday, June 10

• Monday, June 17

• Monday, June 24

• Monday, July 1

• Monday, July 18

• Championship Meet: Wednesday, July 17 (tentative)

 

Have a great school year swordfish. Strength & Honor!

— Cathy Durrette (outgoing Director), Jenn Walker & Ashley Barrett

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