Dolphin News Splash 4/19/26
Hello AP Dolphins,
NOTES FROM THE COACH
Welcome to week 3! The last two weeks have flown by, and I am looking forward to another great week. Please remember that all practices will continue to build off each other. The more effort you put in, the more you will get out of it.
This week we will continue to work on our freestyle for our 6 & unders and begin adding in backstroke for our older athletes. For backstroke, we will be focusing on the fundamentals: body position (keeping hips up and body flat on the surface), steady flutter kicks, proper arm rotation, and maintaining a relaxed head position while looking straight up. We will also begin working on flag counts to help swimmers learn how to judge distance to the wall and prepare for safe, confident finishes. These skills are important because they help swimmers stay balanced, move efficiently through the water, and build a strong foundation for more advanced technique and endurance.
The trial period ends on Friday of this week. If you do not hear from me, your athlete is good to go. Please continue to reinforce listening ears while in the pool, as well as staying above water when at the wall and limiting side conversations.
Don't forget to bring your swim fins daily, come prepared, and arrive on time for your practice so we can start on time. Caps are required for swimmers with longer hair, and goggles are highly encouraged. Having spares of each is also encouraged! All age groups (even big kids 11&up) will be using swim fins. Make sure you have them with you.
Also, please pick up ALL belongings from the pool deck, including trash. We already have a collection of items that have been left behind: fins, water bottles, towels, clothes, and shoes.
Looking forward to another great week! See you at the pool!
Sabrina Henley
AP Dolphins Head Coach
AP TEAM MERCH
Check out AP spirit wear at our Sideline Sports online store or at our Swim Outlet online store.
VOLUNTEER JOBS SIGN-UPS – THIS WEEK!
Sign-ups will open for 6&U families on 4/24/26 at 8:00am.
Sign-ups for all other families will open on 4/25/26 at 8:00am.
If you have any interest in being a part of one of the crews, please reach out ASAP. Crews with available positions include: Snack Bar Crew, Team Parent Crew, Stroke & Turn Crew, and Take-Down Crew.If you have questions about volunteer jobs or have interest in a crew position, please reach out to our jobs coordinator at [email protected].
DOLPHIN DUOS
Did you forget to sign your swimmer up for Dolphin Duos? No worries, we’ve extended the deadline to April 25th. Sign-up by clicking the green “RSVP” next to the Dolphin Duos event in the Calendar on our website: https://www.apdolphins.org/swim_meets.
Buddy activities are scheduled for the following days:
5/9 – Time Trials (Get to know your buddy – friendship bracelets)
5/30 – Home Meet (Breakfast with your buddy – donuts!)
6/20 – Home Meet (Cool down with a popsicle with your buddy)
Plus more Buddy activities during Champs Week!
BREWFEST
Save the Date! Back by popular demand (and for Dan Gibbs!) . . . Brewfest is back! Thank you to AP Swim parents, Lindsey Lederer, Alison McMorris, and Serra Deterding for taking this event on and making it happen! And a special THANK YOU for the Lederer Family for hosting the event at their home. Brewfest will be on Saturday, May 30th from 6pm-9pm. Sign-ups and more info to follow. But plan on a fun night of food, brews, and hanging with the best swim parents around. Tickets will be $50 for1 ticket or $90 for 2 tickets, which will help go toward a much-needed upgrade to our pool lane lines.
As much as we love our little swimmers, this is an adults-only event so line up those babysitters now.
NCSL
I will keep including this section until all families are registered with NCSL. If you have not completed this step yet, please do so ASAP. Your swimmer must be registered to compete in swim meets! Click here to register. After you complete registration with NCSL, please email a copy to our AP Registrar at [email protected]. Not sure if you registered with NCSL? Reach out to the AP Registrar.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY
We're thrilled to announce an opportunity for our community to get involved and support our swimmers in a big way! We are seeking sponsorships to support the team and your partnership could make a splash! If you or your company is interested in becoming a sponsor or you want to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to our Fundraising Chair, Rachele Wagaman at [email protected].
IMPORTANT DATES
For those already mapping out your summer, be sure to mark your calendars with the 2026 swim meet dates listed below.
- 4/01/26-4/25/26 – AP Dolphin Duo Sign-ups
- 4/24/26 – 6&U Only Families Volunteer Jobs Open
- 4/25/26 – Volunteer Jobs Open for all
- 5/09/26 - AP Time Trials @ Arden Park
- 5/16/26 - Dixon @ Arden Park
- 5/30/26 – Del Norte @ Arden Park
- 5/30/26 – Brewfest – 6-9pm
- 6/3/26 – Team Pictures @ 4:30pm
- 6/06/26 - Arden Park @ Fair Oaks
- 6/12/26 – Lapapalooza – AP Swim Fundraiser
- 6/20/26 – Galt @ Arden Park
- 6/27/26 - Arden Park @ West Sacramento
- 7/11/26 – Laguna Creek @ Arden Park
- 7/18/26-7/19/26 - Gold Rush Swim Championship
- 8/1/26-8/2/26 – Sacramento Valley Meet of Championships
All of these dates have been added to the Calendar on the AP Dolphins website and can be found by clicking this link: AP Dolphins Calendar.
Please check out our website for more details www.apdolphins.org. Be sure to download the mobile app platform for our site, SwimTopia. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/APDolphinsSwimTeam and on Instagram at https://instagram.com/apdolphins
See you at the pool!
Leah Lind
AP Dolphins Communications