KATY Aquatics
Swimmers Lane
NEWSLETTER:
MARCH, APRIL, MAY 2014
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8
Coaches Corner:
Fundamentals of Fast Swimming
Upcoming Dates to
Remember:
June 6-8
TWST BB & Up Prelim/Finals
Meet
June 13-15
WHAT Open Meet:
FCST Replacement Meet
The fastest part of an athlete’s
swim is the first underwater
following the dive. The next fastest
part is the underwater following
the turn. How good an athlete’s
breakouts are determines how
much of that speed a swimmer can
carry into the swim. The breakout
is the final piece of the
underwater—the moment when a
swimmer transitions from kicking
to swimming. Good “underwaters”
are a huge part of swimming fast
and they develop throughout the
year.
June 20-22
NS Senior Series Meet – San Antonio
June 20-22
Senior Circuit #2 – San Antonio
June 21-22
Junior Series Meet – San Antonio
July 29-August 2
2014 SZ Senior LC Championships
Important
Information:
 Do you have questions
about your Account?
Email:
[email protected]
 Do you have questions
about Service Hours?
Email:
[email protected]
 Do you have questions
about Team?
Email:
[email protected]
Let’s analyze the breakout so your
swimmer can begin to take
advantage of their underwater
speed.
The breakout demands power and
strength to make a smooth
transition from kicking to
swimming. Whether the breakout is
on the back or stomach, the
majority of this power originates
from the core. Throughout the
season, it is important to build up
core strength to refine this part of
the race. A good exercise for this
is the streamline crunch. It places
the body in the same position as in
the water (with arms extended in a
streamline) and forces the
abdomen to contract with
additional resistance. With feet flat
on the floor and knees bent,
crunch upward while maintaining a
tight streamline.
Thoracic mobility is also an
integral part of good breakouts.
The breakout requires good
rotation in a freestyle or
backstroke breakout, and good
flexion and extension in a
butterfly breakout. A swimmer’s
trunk (body from neck to pelvis)
must have a high range of motion
during the first two strokes of a
breakout to accelerate into the
swim. This mobility is also critical
in the underwater segment
because dolphin kicking uses a
rolling motion in the abdomen to
propel the body forward.
The Dowel Lying Thoracic
Mobility exercise is a great one to
increase your range of motion.
Good underwaters become great
with the help of a solid breakout.
When executed correctly,
breakouts save energy by
maintaining the speed carried
underwater into the swim. If
your swimmer can bring a little
extra focus to their breakouts
during practice, it will help
perfect another race detail for
the next competition.
Finally, breakouts are all about
timing. Speed and power are only
as useful as the timing of the first
stroke. With practice, a swimmer
can find the sweet spot between
getting stuck too deep under the
water, and breaking out too late
already on the surface. It is
important to practice breakouts at
race speed so a swimmer will
know how to time their first
stroke in a race setting. Start by
practicing the breakout technique
at any speed, and then with each
attempt become more aggressive
with the first two strokes.
Back to Basics
Remember, there is not one
technique ideal for everyone, but
with training and attention
to details, the main fundamentals
of fast swimming all end up the
same; practice, practice, practice!
PAGE 2
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8
Swimmers Compete at SC Champs II Meet
Earlier in March, 49 KATY athletes competed in the Gulf SC Champs II meet hosted by The Woodlands Swim
Team. This is a great meet for 13 & Over swimmers to earn new cuts for TAGS and Sectionals along with
getting prelim/finals experience. KATY finished 10th overall with 297 points. Our top scorers were
Caroline Benson with 31pts (finishing 21st overall in Girls 15 & Over scoring), Aria Bernal with 28 points
(finishing 27th in Girls 13-14 scoring), and Ethan Autry with 21 points (finishing 36th overall in
Boys 13-14 scoring). Four swimmers achieved new Sectionals cuts and
two more swimmers achieved new TAGS standards!
As always, we would like to thank all the parents and families for spending their weekend to help each
of our athletes showcase the commitment and dedication they’ve invested over this season.
Without your constant support, our athletes would not be able to accomplish their goals!
KATY Aquatics has Number of Swimmers with
New Time Standards
KATY Aquatics participated in the Aggie Gulf Open Long Course Meet in April where over 150 of our team athletes
competed in multiple events and proved our reputation as an aggressive swim club.
This was a Long Course Timed Finals Meet and KATY Aquatics had 95 swimmers with 100% best times, 11
swimmers with new AAA times, 1 swimmer with a new AAAA time, 3 swimmers who achieved TAGS times,
and 3 additional swimmers who received their first Sectional time.
High points from this Swim Meet Included First Place Swims in the following Age Groups:
10 & Under Girls
Joey Testa – 100 Backstroke
Abbie Alvarez – 50 Breaststroke
Sara Lu – 50 Butterfly
Alex Clark – 100 Butterfly
11-12 Girls
Sophia Bernal – 100 & 200 Backstroke
13-14 Girls
Aria Bernal – 200 Backstroke
10 & Under Boys
Bobby Lenning – 50 Butterfly
Fangzhou Li – 200 IM
11-12 Boys
Robby Myers – 400 Freestyle
Ishaan Lahoti – 50 Breaststroke
Chris Wong – 100 Breaststroke
Mac Boyle – 200 Breaststroke
13-14 Boys
Brayden Rudd – 400 Freestyle, 100 Breaststroke,
100 Breaststroke, 200 Breaststroke, and 400 IM
Our KATY Aquatics athletes swam 93% best times, and each participant who came to this regional swim meet
demonstrated extreme competiveness, while valuing teamwork and sportsmanship.
Way to go KATY!
PAGE 3
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8
KATY Athletes Place at the
USAT Triathlon
On Sunday, April 13th, Zoe Padelopoulos and Payton Kleiweg
competed in the World’s Largest Triathlon for Kids at the
University of Houston. There were 1,958 competitors with 652
kids in the Senior Division (Ages 11-15).
Pictured Left to Right:
Zoe Padelopoulos and Payton Kleiweg
The course was a 200 meter swim, a 6 mile bike ride, and a 1 mile
run. It was a close finish between Payton (34.51 min.) and Zoe
(34.54 min.). Zoe finished in 1st Place in her Age Group, and
Payton finished in 3rd place overall in the Senior Division.
A large shout-out goes to Coach Mike for helping to get the girls
in shape and prepared to race! KATY Aquatics is so proud of
your accomplishment and dedication to training!
KATY Swimmers Compete
at the LSST Gulf Open Long Course Meet
KATY Aquatics had 126 individual
swimmers compete at the 2014
LSST Gulf Open Long Course
Meet that was held on the weekend
of May 16th. During this meet, our
talented young swimmers took the
chance to display their swimming
skills and demonstrated a strong
focus on stroke technique and
coordination while having fun with
friends between events.
88% of our swimmers received
100% Best Times, and 9 swimmers
received First Place in their
respective Age Groups.
Those swimmers included:
10 & Under Girls
Joey Testa – 50 Backstroke, 50
Butterfly, 200 IM, &
100 Backstroke
Aria Bernal – 200 Freestyle,
100 Backstroke, & 200 IM
11-12 Girls
Sophia Bernal – 100 Backstroke,
200 IM, 100 Butterfly, &
200 Backstroke
13-14 Girls
Donya Hamed – 200 Butterfly
Other Notable Finishes
KATY Aquatics also had 12
swimmers achieve new AAA times,
2 swimmers achieve AAAA times,
7 swimmers receive TAGS times, and
1 swimmer who made a Sectional cut.
This was a Long Course Meters Timed Finals where the pool deck was
filled with enthusiastic, young
swimmers giving it their all. Our club
11-12 Boys
had several standout performances
Robby Myers – 400 Freestyle, 100 with qualifying times to move up to
Backstroke, 200 IM, 200 Freestyle, the next level of competition.
200 Backstroke, & 100 Backstroke
Our coaching staff is extremely proud
Christopher Wong – 200
of the skills displayed at this meet and
Breaststroke, 50 Breaststroke
are looking forward to finishing the
Long Course Season strong!
Jace Walker – 400 Freestyle
10 & Under Boys
Bobby Lenning – 50 Butterfly
13-14 Boys
Ethan Autry – 200 Butterfly &
200 IM
PAGE 4
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8
KATY Swimmers Are Inducted into
National Honor Society
KATY Aquatics is proud to announce the newest inductees to the National Junior
Honor Society and National Honor Society at Seven Lakes Junior High and Seven
Lakes High School.
We would like to congratulate the following KATY Aquatics athletes for
demonstrating exceptional student character both in school and outside of school.
Jake Mitchell, Madison Wong, Taylor Conaway, Caitlin Kumala, Adrienne Li,
William Coakley, Ewan Mackie, Robby Myers and Abby Sherman.
The National Junior Honor Society and National Honor Society is a nationwide
organization designed to help develop young student leaders find success in school
and beyond while celebrating achievement.
Seven Lakes High School
Abby Sherman
The selection is based on scholarship, leadership, service and character. Each of
these swimmers has exemplified outstanding success and leadership in their school
and we wish them all the best!
Seven Lakes Junior High
Back Row (Left to Right): Cole Thumann, Jake Mitchell,
Madison Wong, Taylor Conaway, Caitlin Kumala,
and Adrienne Li
Front Row (Left to Right): William Coakley, Ewan Mackie,
and Robby Myers
Swimmers Break Records at
Katy High School
KATY Aquatics swimmers, Caroline Benson and Marissa Watters, have both broken
their school records in the finals of the 2013 High School State Championship meet.
Caroline broke the 200 and 500 Freestyle records at Katy High School
while Marissa broke the 20 year old 100 Butterfly record.
Both athletes were recognized at the KATY High School Swimming Awards
Ceremony in April, and KATY Aquatics would like to acknowledge
each of them on their accomplishments!
Congratulations Ladies!
Katy High School
Pictured Left to Right: Marissa Watters & Caroline Benson
PAGE 5
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8
KATY Shows Strength
at Sectionals
KATY Aquatics took thirteen swimmers to compete in fifty-three
events at one of the fastest Speedo Champions Series Sectionals
meets in the country this Spring. The swimmers competed against
not just Texas LSC, but teams representing 8 different states
including California, New York, Arizona, and Colorado.
KATY had several swimmers swim their best times even after
completing a grueling High School schedule just before the meet.
Six swimmers earned second swims (Glen Cowand, Hanna Huston,
Tori Kroon, Rachel Morrow, Kyle Nash, and Lindsay Shabet), with
scoring swims coming from Lindsay Shabet (100 Br- 16th), and
Hanna Huston (1000 Fr- 8th, 1650 Fr- 3rd).
KATY finished 24th out of 89 teams at the meet. Congrats to all of
our Sectional swimmers!
KATY Travels to San Antonio for TAGS
28 KATY Aquatics athletes
competed in the Short Course TAGS
Championship meet, held March 6-9
in San Antonio where KATY placed
13th out of 73 teams in Texas.
The 2014 TAGS Team consisted
of: Abbie Alvarez, Logan Arnold,
Aria Bernal, Sophia Bernal, Claudia
Blowers, Raymond Cheng, Alex
Clark, Matt Gaas, Brandon Guo,
Andrew Lee, Bobby Lenning,
Michael Liang, Justin Liao, Liz
Mahan, Ewan Mackie, Jake Mitchell,
Robby Myers, Finley Quinn, Emily
Rodgers, Nick Schmid, Ben Sippel,
Karigan Stanley, Joey Testa, Jace
Walker, Linsey Watson, Chris Wong,
and Madison Wong.
2nd Place Finishes in the 10 & Under
Girls and Boys 200 Medley Relay
Girls Medley Relay: Abbie Alvarez, Liz
Mahan, Emily Rodgers and Joey Testa
Swimming is an incredibly competitive
sport and all of our KATY swimmers
should be congratulated for races they
swam and the team spirit that kept the
excitement levels high at TAGS.
Boys Medley Relay: Brandon Guo,
Bobby Lenning, Justin Liao and Nick
Schmid.
4th Place Finishes in the 11 & 12 Boys
200 Medley Relay
Ewan Mackie, Jake Mitchell, Robby
Myers, and Chris Wong.
Individual Top 8 Winners
Robby Myers – 3rd 500 Freestyle,
4th 200 Freestyle, 6th 200 Backstroke
Sophia Bernal – 4th 200 Backstroke,
8th 100 IM
Justin Liao – 5th 100 Breaststroke,
7th 50 Breaststroke
Joey Testa – 5th 50 Backstroke
Emily Rodgers – 7th 50 Fly
Aria Bernal – 7th 100 Backstroke
Jace Walker – 7th 500 Freestyle
Congratulations to
Bobby Lenning, Brandon Guo,
Justin Liao and Nicholas Schmid
for winning a Silver Medal in the
Medley Relay for 10 & Under Boys at TAGS!
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8
KATY Aquatics High School Retreat
The high school swimmers kicked off the Long Course training season with an
AWESOME teambuilding experience! On March 29th & 30th the group
survived a bus trip through a “wicked” hail storm to camp beside the calm
waters of Lake Georgetown for a night of camping and team bonding.
They were up early again on Saturday to head to the Georgetown Ropes
Challenge Course. A morning of team building challenges was topped off by
the swimmers (and Coach Travis) heading up to the main ropes coursenavigating both the 40 foot climbing wall and scurrying across the wires 30+
fee above the ground! From singing along to Frozen to overcoming fears in
front of supportive teammates, everyone on
PAGE 6
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8
PAGE 7
US Olympian Cammile Adams
Makes Special Appearance at
KATY Aquatics Spring Banquet
The 2014 Spring Awards Banquet was held on Saturday, May 3rd with US
Olympian CAMMILE ADAMS as our Special Guest Speaker.
Inspiration and encouragement was the atmosphere of the evening as everyone
listened intently to Cammile as she talked about Goal Setting and how to keep the
sport of Swimming FUN for both the swimmer and Parent. She also spoke
about the adventure sports played in her life, and how being mentally focused
and conditioned helped her to reach the Olympic Dream! She even shared her
personal experiences of what it was like to live in the Olympic Village and room
with Missy Franklin during the 2012 London Olympics!
The Spring Banquet was truly enjoyed by all, and Cammile Adams helped to
make it a memorable evening by taking pictures with our swimmers as they
received their awards and team gift!
It was a great night to share with friends on the team, reflect over the year, and
recognize our Seniors of 2014 as they swim towards a new journey in their lives!
KATY Aquatics would like to sincerely thank Cammile Adams for accepting
our invitation and sharing her love of swimming with our aspiring athletes!
Would you like the opportunity to
purchase pictures from the Spring Banquet?
Click here to view the KATY Aquatics
2014 Spring Banquet Photo Album on Shutterfly.
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8
PAGE 8
Jacob (Coby) Alanis: In His Own Words
“Outside of taking up 2 to 3 hours of my time everyday after school, KATY
Aquatics has provided me with an amazing amount of structure over the years
and those are lessons that I can take with me for the rest of my life. It has also
provided me with an amazing group of friends that I have the honor to call some
of my closest friends. Thank you to all my coaches throughout the years.”
Coby will be attending Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington where he will be
swimming for the Whitworth Pirates Swim Team. He plans to study Economics
and Political Science.
Sean Farestvedt: In His Own Words
“I would like to thank the coaches at Katy Aquatics
for helping me achieve my swimming goals. Thanks to Coach Troy,
Coach Jack, Coach Andy for your expertise and a special thank you to
Coach Abbott who is not only a great swimming coach but also a great
mentor and friend. He has helped me through the hard times and the
great times. I also want to thank my parents and my step parents for
their love and support and especially to my Dad for teaching me his
swimming technique in Fly and Free, for “DQing” me once in a while
at swim meets and for his guidance and endless patience with my
school work, for taking me driving and skiing
and for just being my Dad.”
Sean will be attending Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi where
he will be swimming for the Delta State Statesman Swim Team.
He Plans to study Commercial Aviation and wants to become a pilot.
Tori Kroon
Tori swam on Varsity for Cinco Ranch High School
and has been a part of KATY Aquatics for five years.
During her young swimming career, Tori has been an
NCSA Qualifier in 100 Backstroke and bonus in the
100 Breaststroke, a Sectional Finalist in the 100
Backstroke and 100 Breaststroke, and a High
School State Finalist in the 100 Backstroke.
Tori will be attending Indiana University—Purdue
University Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana where
she will be swimming for the IUPUI Jaguars Swim Team.
Lindsay Shabet: In Her Own Words
“Swimming with KATY Aquatics for the past 8 years has taught me
many valuable life lessons for which I am truly grateful. I hope to
take the many things I have learned as part of this team with me into
my next adventure as a collegiate athlete. I would like to thank all of
my coaches from over the years, for helping me with encouragement
through all of the challenging times, and helping me to reach goals
that I did not always believe were possible. I am grateful to my
teammates for being my second family as well as my parents and
brother for their endless hours of support and encouragement.”
Lindsay will be attending Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas
where she will be swimming for the TCU Horned Frog Swim Team. She plans to
study Movement Science with the intention of going on to a Masters Program in
Physical Therapy, specializing in Pediatric Therapy.
Andrew Spencer: In His Own Words
“My swimming experience as part of KATY Aquatics has been
filled with lots of fun with my teammates, but also with endless
commitment. KATY Aquatics has taught me how one must be
fully dedicated and committed to a goal in order to achieve that
goal. I would like to thank the numerous coaches I have had for
taking their time to help me strive toward success.”
Andrew will be attending the University of Oklahoma in Norman,
Oklahoma where he plans to major in Petroleum Engineering.
Danielle Vacek: In Her Own Words
“Summer practices were tough but a lot of fun in the sun. All trips we took
with the team were great, but the trips to the Olympic Training Center, the
Los Alamos Hiking trip and the Senior Zones trip were the most fun. But I
never want to go back to swim in the Hammerly Pool!”
Danielle will be attending Texas A&M University in College Station where she plans
on studying Supply Chain Logistics. She has also been training to become a Volunteer
Fire Fighter with the West I-10 Fire Department.
PAGE 11
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8
Swim-A-Thon was the Theme for Spring
On Saturday, March 22nd, parents, swimmers and coaches alike joined together for a day of
swimming, eating and friendship as we came together to raise funds for our team.
Swim-A-Thon is a club event that helps boost team spirit and increase community awareness of our team.
Throughout the weeks of Swim-A-Thon, all of our Coaches found inventive ways to make raising money fun
for our athletes by enticing each practice group with fun team contests and incentives.
The exciting benefits of this program are to combine swimming along with a fun social event where
the whole family can get involved. Parents of swimmers help count laps and keep track of times
while older athletes cheer and encourage the younger swimmers!
KATY Aquatics had 291 swimmers participate in this year’s 2014 event!
The club earned a total of $61,424.60
Four swimmers individually raised $1,000 or more in contributions to their teams.
The top earners for the 2014 Swim-A-Thon are:
Gavin Erdmann with $1,500
Nicole Kopp with $1,250
Tyler Kopp with $1,250
Sandra Pearl with $1,000
Team Clay and Valerie claimed the TOP FUNDRAISING TEAM for 2014 by raising $15,851 with an average of $161
per swimmer. This fundraising team was awarded a Pizza Party on May 30th during a swim practice for
averaging the most money per swimmer.
We would also like to recognize the Seven Lakes High School practice pool location for collecting
a total of $71.25 in their Pool Jug throughout our Coin Drive. The Seven Lakes practice pool location
received a FREE FUN PRACTICE DAY at the end of April for raising the most money in their pool jug!
A special recognition goes to Clint Foreman, the winner of our first Swim-A-Thon Design Contest,
for creating the theme of this year’s fundraising event.
The Coaching Staff would like to especially thank all the swimmers and parents for participating in our
2014 Swim-A-Thon Fundraiser and for helping to make it a fun time for all.
2014
Swim-A-Thon
Video
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8
PAGE 12
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8
PAGE 13
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8
KATY Aquatics Celebrates the
Ultimate Prize Package for Being the
2013 Gold Medal Swim-A-Thon Contest Winner
KATY Aquatics was labeled the USA Swimming Foundation 2013 Swim-A-Thon Grand Prize Winner for
earning the most points for total Swim-a-Thon fundraising dollars raised in 2013. Our club won a Prize Package
to include: a customized Deck Pass Patch, a feature article in USA Swimming’s Splash Magazine, a gift certificate to
host a team celebration party, and the Ultimate Prize—a personal visit from Olympic Gold Medalist Ricky Berens!
The team began the Celebration Prize Package with a Bowling Bonanza Pizza Party at Times Square Entertainment
on April 13th. The afternoon came with Neon Bowling, Video Games, Pizza, and lots of Desserts! Our KATY
swimmers glowed with FUN as they gathered with friends, played the lanes, and ate all afternoon!
Next KATY Aquatics received an Award Winning Visit from Ricky Berens on Saturday, May 31 st during our
Intra-Squad S.W.I.M. Meet #5. The day was filled with pictures, autographs, motivational talks and a surprise
demonstrational swim in the pool by Ricky! The pool deck echoed with LOUD cheers and laughter as
Ricky dove effortlessly into the pool and swam a 100 Freestyle for everyone to see! All of our swimmers and
parents thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet Ricky on a personal level and hear him share his
experiences from Age Group Swimming to being a part of the USA National Swim Team with Michael Phelps
and Ryan Lochte. KATY Aquatics would like to extend a heart-felt Thank You to Ricky for creating an
awe-inspiring visit with our team, and making this event a special memory for our athletes to
share with one another for years to come! This was truly an exciting day for our entire club,
and we wish you the best in your future career Ricky!
The KATY Aquatics Coaching Staff and Board of Directors would also like to recognize our swimmers and
families for going above and beyond for the Team. You have all earned the
2013 Swim-a-Thon Contest Gold Medal Title!
PAGE 14
KATY Aquatics Receives
an Award Winning Visit
from Ricky Berens!
Splashing Around the Pool with Ricky Berens!
KATY Aquatics Receives
2014 Make a Splash Grant
The USA Swimming Foundation is proud
to announce the 2014 USA Swimming
Foundation Make a Splash grant recipients.
The competition for this year's grants was
tremendous. Over 130 applications were
received to help fund learn-to-swim
programs across the country. After careful
review, the grant committee agreed to
award 57 grants, totaling $322,495 to USA
Swimming Foundation Make a Splash
Local Partners in 24 states across the
country.
Congratulations to KATY Aquatics for
being awarded a $10,000 Grant for
2014. This is the 4th year in a row in which
KATY Aquatics has received grant
funding from the Make A Splash
Foundation to assist with our learn to swim
program.
The USA Swimming Foundation is proud
to thank the many donors who have made
this year's grants possible and extend a
very special thank-you to Phillips 66,
who has made a significant financial
contribution to provide grant funding to
Make a Splash Local Partner programs in
the Houston area.
Make a Splash works by educating parents
through a national awareness campaign,
and by providing opportunities for children
to learn how to swim through its growing
network of providers. Local Partners
include a variety of organizations such as
YMCAs, Boys & Girls’ Clubs, community
centers and privately-owned swim clubs.
“KATY Aquatics is very proud to be one
of the programs selected to receive the
Make a Splash Grant in an effort to impact
and educate local families through the
Make a Splash agenda. Our goal at KATY
Aquatics is to create opportunities for
children of all economic backgrounds in
our community to learn to swim by
providing Financial Assistance for
SwimAmerica lessons,” said
Travis Sandifer, Executive Director of
KATY Aquatics.
As part of the Make a Splash initiative, KATY
Aquatics and Texas Children’s Hospital West
Campus are continuing to partner with each other
and promote water safety to our community through
the Annual Make A Splash Event.
KATY Aquatics and
Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital
Teamed Together for April Pool’s Day
On Tuesday, April 1st, KATY Aquatics and
Memorial Hermann Hospital teamed together
to promote April Pool’s Day.
April Pool’s Day was a two-hour program
designed to prevent drowning by inspiring
young children to take water safety seriously.
Both children and adults were able to learn
about the hazards associated with water and
how to deal with them safely.
The event was FREE and open to the public.
Families with small children and expecting
mothers were encouraged to attend. Fabol
Hughes, the Mayor of Katy, officially started
the morning by reading an April Pool’s Day
Proclamation on behalf of the City of Katy.
Gift Bags filled with safety information,
coupons, and treats were passed out to all who
attended on behalf of the participating vendors.
Participants also had the chance to win door
prizes which included FREE Swim Lessons
from KATY Aquatics and special Gift Baskets
donated on behalf of Babies ‘R’ Us.
Children enjoyed getting pictures with Bobber
the Water Safety Dog, Coastie the Rescue Boat,
and the Chick-fil-A Cow before sitting down at
the ‘Reading Corner’ where toddlers got to
enjoy a story with puppets and get their face
painted!
It was truly a fun, safe event for all involved and
it is a program both KATY Aquatics and
Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital hope to
Activities included water safety games provided continue for years to come!
by KATY Aquatics, life-jacket fitting and boat
safety presented by U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, how to Be Red Cross Ready, and
tours of Life Flight, fire trucks and ambulances!
KATY Aquatics and Texas Children’s Hospital West
Campus Made a Big Splash with Water Safety Event
Each year, thousands of American families
experience fatal and non-fatal drownings
among children which is why the month of
May is recognized as National Water
Safety Month. In an effort to help reduce
the risk of youth drowning in our local
area, KATY Aquatics and Texas Children’s
Hospital West Campus joined together to
promote a Water Safety event called ‘Make
A Splash’ which was held on Saturday,
May 17th at the Cinco Ranch High School
Natatorium.
Below are the top 4 Safety Principles that
were focused on during the FREE event.
1. The Importance of Safe Supervision
around Water
2. Why You should Learn How to Swim
3. The Value of Knowing CPR and
First-aid Response
4. The Necessity of Fences around
Residential Pools/Spas
The morning began with an opening Flag
Ceremony presented by Cub Scout Pack
585. Fort Bend County Precinct 3
Commissioner Andy Meyers then
welcomed the crowd and spoke about the
importance of teaching children how to
swim.
Commissioner Meyers, along with KATY
Aquatics, also took this opportunity
recognize a special young boy who rescued
a little girl from drowning in a backyard
pool last summer. Zach Arceneaux, a local
10 year-old boy from Katy, was presented
with a ‘Pillar of the Community Award’ for
displaying courage and heroic actions in
saving another life. After receiving the
award, Zach was able to share his personal
story about the incident with all who
attended. Commissioner Meyers and the
Skeeters Mascot then presented Zach
tickets to a Skeeters Baseball game along
with his own Skeeters Jersey as a token of
appreciation for Zach’s bravery.
The Make A Splash event featured 200
Free Swim Lessons and water safety skills
for children ages 3 and up. There were also
a number of interactive water safety
activities for children and adults of all ages
to enjoy!
Inside the pool area, was FREE Swim
Lessons, water rescue demonstrations,
kayak rides and interactive water safety
activities for children.
Outside the pool area was the Skeeters
Baseball Team Mascot with a blow-up
Baseball Game, Willowfork Fire
Department, representatives from both the
Fort Bend Sheriff’s Department and Texas
State Highway Patrol, a boat display from
the Texas Game Warden, and several Katy
area businesses that had information and
activities for children.
There was FREE Food Samples from
several local area restaurants and FREE
Door Prizes throughout the 2-hour event!
Music and water safety trivia filled the
event as everyone had a great time looking
at the first responder vehicles, getting their
face painted, and getting their pictures
taken with the Chick-fil-A Cow, Skeeters
Mascot, and Texas Roadhouse Armadillo!
It was a great community effort with over
700 patrons attending. A lot of effort went
into preparing for this water safety event
and the KATY Aquatics Staff would like to
personally thank our Community Partners,
Parent Volunteers, and all those involved
for donating your time to this event. We
could not have hosted such a fantastic day
without your support!
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8
KATY Aquatics
5506 1st Street
Katy, Texas 77493
Phone: 281-391-7200
Fax: 281-391-7210
E-mail: [email protected]
PAGE 22
KATY Aquatics
Thanks our 2013-2014 Sponsors
for their Contributions to the TEAM!
Platinum
Health One Emergency Care—West Campus
A Department of West Houston Medical Center
Lane Four Swim Shop
Spark Energy
Speedo
Gold
Hargrove Design Group
Oilfield Testing & Consulting
Paragon Pools
Watch Me Grow Photography
Silver
KATY Aquatics
is an official
The Club at Falcon Point
Willow Fork Country Club
Bronze
affiliated Team
Ables Insurance Agency
D’Amico’s Italian Market Café
L.E.C.E.T. of Southern Nevada
Friends of KATY Aquatics
A Pro Top Construction, Inc.
Arcadia Cleaners
Bates and Coleman P.C.
Dentistry By RSE, PLLC
Fulshear Animal Hospital
Home Star Security
Katy Printers
Keller Williams Realty—Jeaneth Jimenez
My Fit Foods
Prosperity Bank
Salon Picasso Studios
Seven Meadows Dental
The Wellness Center
2014 Swim-A-Thon Title Sponsor
www.katyaquatics.org
Exhibit Network
Times Square Entertainment