Buddy program - we will be bringing back the buddy program this year. This program pairs up veteran parents with first year families, allowing the new families to have someone to ask questions and get guidance. The board is always available to answer questions, but this provides another source of information for the new families. We will have a sign up sheet at the Parents meeting this Wednesday. If you are a veteran family, please consider putting your name down to help out with this program.

Bylaw changes - we have a few changes to the bylaws this year. Please review the attached document (in the email sent on 5/13) for changes as we’ll take a vote at the parents meeting. If you have any questions or issues with changes, but cannot make the parents meeting, please contact the board at president@cascadesrapids.org.

If you have not registered your kids for Swim Team yet please do so soon via the Cascades Rapids web page www.cascadesrapids.org.  Volunteer jobs are filling up fast, so register soon to get the jobs at the meets you want.

Personalized silicone cap orders are only being taken through Monday, May 7, so please make sure you order caps by this weekend as we cannot take orders after Monday.  Orders are taken through the registration system.

The afternoon practice schedule before school gets out (May 29-June is:

Warmer weather is here!  And coming up fast is another fun, exciting and competitive Rapids season!

Registration is opening soon!  When???  Well, that is not exactly pinned down yet, as our on-line registration system is undergoing some final needed changes and testing.  Once we finish successful testing, we will open the on-line registration.  The earliest registration would be opened would be middle of April, but more likely the end of April.

An e-mail will be sent out to all past team members, as well as a post on the Cascades Rapids Web site, also a post on the FaceBook site and Twitter, and signs posted at message boxes at HOA sites such as Stone House and Lowes Island pool, a sign on the tennis court fence outside the Stone House and at the HOA offices at the Lowes Island location notifying all when registration is open.

Please watch your e-mail, frequently check out our web site (cascadesrapids.org), follow us on FaceBook and Twitter, and look for neighborhood signs!

A parent’s meeting will be held on May 16th and first practices will be the afternoon of May 29th!

Go Rapids!!!

P.S. Check out the April issue of the Cascades Current for more information on the Rapids upcoming season!

Don’t let those swim fins collect dust now that the Cascades Rapids 2011 season is complete. With some continued training and a few more years on the Rapids perhaps your little swimmer can follow in the wake of former Rapids swimmer, Matt Mclean, who continues to set personal bests and shine on the National and International level. Matt, brother of current Rapids swimmer, Sam Mclean, started with the Rapids when he was 10 years old and holds several Rapids records. Just a few months ago Matt won the NCAA 400 meter freestyle event as a senior at the University of Virginia.

We send our congratulations to Matt and wish him continued success!

Link to article

McLean Wins USA Swimming National Championship in 400 Freestyle

Froggers “Leap” Rapids

It was a great meet last night with a big shout out to all the volunteers for a well run meet that got IM’s done before 9 p.m.!! Well done!! As we near the end of the season it was great to see some of the kids trying new events outside of practice. A special thanks to the coaching staff that helped the 8 & under IM heat through their first IM!!

We did receive a report of a car that was broken into in the lower parking during the meet. Although we live in a relatively safe neighborhood, please remember to limit what you leave in the car and lock your vehicles.

We look forward to hosting Franklin Farm this Saturday. As usual, please check in at the desk to sign off on for your swimmer(s)!!

  B Meet results Surgarland Run at Cascades July 13, 2011 (51.1 KiB, 319 hits)

2011 Fundraiser a Huge Success

Thank you to all the volunteers and swimmers that made our 2011 RapidsvFundraiser a huge success! I hope everyone enjoyed the pancake breakfast supplied by Chris Cakes of Maryland.

This year we had 147 participants swim a total of 10,693 laps or just over 166 combined miles!! Congratulation swimmers!!

Additionally, we had 46 swimmers reach or break the 100 lap milestone, and a special congratulations to Jessica Touve for her 200 laps!

RAPIDS REBOUND !

Rumors of a Rapids decline may have been a bit premature.  After losing for the first time in 3 years last Saturday the Rapids came ready to make a statement this Saturday.  The team  started the meet at full throttle and never let up.  All the swimmers gave 110% right through the last relay and the end result was a dominating performance.  Thanks to coach Jessica and her staff for having the team fired up and ready to rock !  We had a number of outstanding individual performances.  Triple winners included Rachel Williams, William Lin, and Claire Nguyen.  Double winners included Max Propp, Sean Hurrell, Nelson Chen, Ryan Murphy, and Erin Fennelly.   Congratulations to all the swimmers and coaches on a tremendous team effort !   Next week (4th of July weekend) the Rapids will host the powerful South Riding Stingrays.  The Stingrays are loaded with talent and the meet shapes up to be a good old fashion shootout.  Get ready for some fireworks at the Stonehouse ! 

Rapids Stub Toe Out Of The Gate In 2011

The 15 – 0 defending Red Divivision champion Rapids put up a good fight; but lost on Saturday to the Broadland Piranhas  257-187. Our thanks go out to all the Rapids that came out and gave it their all.    The Rapids will go back to practice and regroup for their next meet against Ashburn Village next Saturday.   Let the new streak begin !!