The Willow Oaks pool is home to the Willow Oaks Stingrays,
a swim team that is sanctioned by the Greater Peninsula Swimming Association (GPSA.)
Each summer, novice and veteran swimmers alike take to the waters and swim in
competitive meets against other teams from across the Peninsula. The season
culminates with qualifying swimmers participating in the exciting all-day
“City Meet” at Fort Eustis on the first Saturday of August. This is followed
a day or so later with an end-of-season celebration recognizing all of our
swimmers and coaches.
Registration for the 2007 season is Saturday, May 19, from
9 a.m. to noon at the pool. Registration cost is $35 per swimmer and is open to
the children of pool members in good standing. (If you haven’t already done
so, you also will be able to join the pool at this time.) During registration,
parents and swimmers will have an opportunity to meet the coaches, order team
swimsuits and T-shirts and ask any questions they might have about the team. A
parents’ meeting will be held Sunday, May 20, time to be announced.
Practices are held weekdays throughout the season, which
runs from May 21 through August 5. Before school is out for the summer,
practices are held at 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Once the school year has ended,
practices are held at 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. through Aug. 5.
The Stingrays participate in 6 to 7 meets each summer.
These meets typically are scheduled on Mondays and/or Thursdays. Meets begin at
6 p.m., with warm ups prior to the competition. Twice each season we host
post-meet picnics for our swimmers and our guests from the competing team.
We will kick off the 2007 season with an intrasquad “Blue
and White” meet on Thursday, June 21. Team and individual pictures will be
taken Saturday, June 23, at 9 a.m.
Children through age 18 are eligible to swim on the team. Remember, your child only needs to be able to swim one length of the pool to join the team! If you have any questions, please call Cheryl or David Williams at 851-3667 or e-mail ccwriter14@verizon.net.