Hello all you beautiful people!
 
Suzanne and I came up with a 3 month schedule for workouts! I will be sending out weekly reminders to what will be the focus for the week. But first I want to welcome Seth Hancock back to QUAC! Seth will be alternating Tuesday nights with Jocelyn. We are very excited he will be joining the coaches team!
 
Lanes 1&2 should do a very toned down version of the workouts with no fly except for kicking!
 
Finish out the year with distance and shorter rest periods to prepare for the swim a-thon New Years eve!
 This Sunday will be 12 days of Christmas workout!
 
January
1st week   (adjust distance per lane)
Sunday- 50’s (fly & back) &  100 Free
Tuesday- 50’s (breast & free) &  100 IM’s 
Thursday- 200 relays  (free/ IM)
 
2nd week  (adjust distance per lane)
Sunday & Tuesday- Starts/ Turns ( focusing on speed off blocks and walls)
Thursday 15th- Practice meet for upcoming Ski N Swim
 
3rd week (adjust distance per lane)
Sunday- Middle distances free ( 200’s – 500’s)
Tuesday- Sprints (25’s- 100’s)
Thursday- Lane specific= ea lane will be a designated stroke ( breaking down the stroke/ Drills)
 
4th week (adjust distance per lane)
Sunday- Sprints ( 25’s- 100’s)
Tuesday- Middle distance free ( 200’s – 500’s)
Thursday- Lane specific= ea lane will be a designated stroke ( breaking down the stroke/ Drills. Suzanne and I are trying to get some video’s that you can use on deck. Plus we are checking into getting the under water camera from Utah Masters)

Suzanne and I will try to send out pointers/ tips on what drills will help for the focus of each practice.
 
You are wonderful and QUAC could not do this with out you!
Thank you for all your hard work
Paulie

Paul was born and raised in good old Happy Valley, Utah. He has 5 siblings and 19 nieces and nephews. As a young child he was introduced to dance and gymnastics and performed in many dance recitals and gymnastics exhibitions, “with my mom in the audience at each and everyone” he says.

His involvement in aquatics didn’t happen until late in his teens, he explains: “As at Provo High School, I was convinced by one of my good friends to join the diving team. After many days of non stop harassing, I reluctantly went and fell in love with the sport of diving. It was a way that I could use my grace from dance and tumbling abilities from gymnastics in a sport that did not take a lot of strength or money (not to mention the boys in speedo’s). I went to the state championships and placed 15th as a freshman, 8th sophomore and 2nd place both junior/senior year.

“I joined U.S.A. Junior diving some time in my sophomore year and qualified for the Regional and Zone Championships every year up until I aged up to the Senior Diving level. I continued diving and tried to qualify for that elusive National Championships, but was unsuccessful.

Paul helped coach an age group team at the University of Utah for 4 years until he decided to take a break from swimming and diving completely until one day a good friend dragged him kicking and screaming to a swimming practice called QUAC. Paul explains: “Yes I know its hard to believe that it took my ADD, OCD, Ritalin deprived good friend Aaron Butler (bless his heart) months of persuading (not to mention fondling) to get me to my first QUAC practice. When I arrived I was welcomed by a warm and energetic (and good looking) person, Doug, who also happened to be the Head Coach at the time.

“I soon after became completely submerged in QUAC. I volunteered for anything and everything; Aqua Aid, Pride parade, men’s health summit, pink flamingo, basically anything that Doug needed I was more then happy to participate in. QUAC is like my oxygen, every time I go it is like it fills my lunges with fresh air. Over years of being a member of QUAC, I feel like have gained much more in my life that I could ever repay to QUAC or anyone associate with this wonderful organization. My goal, along with the other board members and fellow QUACers, is to continue this great tradition which is QUAC, and that QUAC will do for others as it has done for me. Provide a fun and safe place where they can feel comfortable being themselves while enjoying a great exercise and meeting wonderful people.

Paul can be seen in the pool or on the deck at most practices including diving practices held twice a week at the University of Utah.

Dear friends,

Here we are at the end of another year. Time to celebrate our successes and accomplishments: great events in and out of the pool; bodies and waistlines to be proud of; new fresh faces on the team; member involvement at an all time high; and most importantly we have continued our dedication to aquatic sport. We’ve seen individuals move steadily from beginner, intermediate to advanced athletes thanks in large part to the dedication of our exceptional coaching staff.

Our coaches inspire me, as do many other volunteers that do the work of our team. In 2008 a group of individuals saw a need and volunteered to create a new fund raising committee. They have been incredibly successful. Their efforts helped put us in the black on our annual balance sheet! Another group of volunteers have been working diligently on Ski-n-Swim 2009. This fast approaching weekend of events, including three socials, a Ski/Spa Day at Snowbird, and an Aquatics Tournament at the University of Utah. It takes an incredible amount of time, energy, and resources to pull off yet it continues to be a success because of the efforts of every person involved. This is true as well with important efforts of our Pride, IGLA08, and Coaching volunteers. All of these individuals gave their time freely and made up a powerful army of dedicated volunteers.

You may think that you are just out to swim or play polo, but each of you have made a difference by simply saying “way to go”, “good job”, or “see you next time”. Small things are really not so small in the bigger picture. Individual actions can converge to create really great consequences.

To demonstrate this news came this past weekend from the SPMA (Southern Pacific Masters Association) Championships in Long Beach California. Everyone was doing their part and the meet was humming along, when all of a sudden the 1500 event ground to a halt as someone noticed a small rodent swimming in one of the lanes. That little two inches of skin and fur stopped the show. So don’t complain that you can’t get someone’s attention or make a difference. Timing helps, but you have to make the effort and get involved in the first place.

I am personally humbled this past weekend to have taken the reigns as your next President. My predecessor Paul Reynolds took the position two years ago after QUAC co-founder Doug Fadel stepped down. Doug lead our team brilliantly for over a decade wearing the many hats of leadership: president, team captain, fund raising chair, head coach, social director, and head cheerleader. Under Paul’s selfless leadership new by-laws were written insuring QUAC’s stability and future allowing for more leadership and volunteer opportunities for all those involved. I’m honored to walk in his footsteps and proud to call him my friend.

I’m not the only one given new opportunities with the team. All of us have an opportunity to get involved over the coming months. Here’s what you can do:
- Join other Utah Swimmers at the Utah Master’s Holiday Party on December 27th;
- Help raise funds for QUAC and the Utah Aids Foundation on New Year’s Eve (Dec 31st) at our swim-a-thon;
- Attend QUAC’s annual team party and awards on January 10th;
- Support Ski-n-Swim on Feb 13-15;
- Volunteer for one of our many committees;
- Renew your annual QUAC membership;

but most importantly…

- GET TO THE POOL and make your life spectacular!

Wishing you all the best in the coming year,

Charlie Ward, President
Queer Utah Aquatic Club

Here’s yet another reason to sign up for the Dec 31st Swim-a-thon… so that you can enjoy the holidays guilt free!

Calories in one piece of pumpkin pie (1/8 of pie): about 315.

Calories burned from 1 hour of vigorous freestyle swimming : about 900! See you in the pool!

For years QUAC has sponsored a New Year Eve’s “century swim” where individuals would swim a set of 100×25, 100×50, or 100×100 yard freestyle. This year fundraising committee members have found a way to use the event to raise funds for QUAC and our friends at the Utah Aids Foundation, following the model of the AIDS walk, we’ll be hosting a swim-a-thon.

Swimmers who wish to participate will be receive a registration form to fill in pledges. Swimmers will want to request family and friends to pledge money exchange for swimming a predetermined distance at the event. You can ask for pledges either by lenght, lap, distance swam or simply a set amount. Swimmers are asked to document each donors contact information on official the registration form required, collect the donations, and turn them in the day of the event. Donors will be sent a receipt for their tax deductible donation with in two weeks of the event.

It’s a great event, and even if you can’t find donations please… “Take the Plunge!” and come swim with us!

More information and registration forms will be available here soon.

Utah Masters Holiday Party
The party is being hosted by Mori Paulsen at his charming house in the 9th and 9th area.

Jeanne Hayes is still the social chair until we find her replacement, but she’s willing to finish out this year’s holiday party. I’m not sure what all she has up her sleeve but she did request potluck, BYOB. I’m sure she could use some help as I know she’s been suffering from a back injury lately. If you’re willing please see if she needs any assistance.

This is the singular group social activity we do in a year. Especially one where we get to wear clothes. Please don’t be shy and invite your teams to join us for this once a year event.

The QUAC Board of Directors met on Sunday, December 7th for their annual meeting electing officers. Paul Reynolds, Raul Peragallo, and Sean Hammond stepped down and Charlie Ward, Lisa LeDuc and Jon Funk were elected respectfully as President, Vice President and Secretary. Jon Jepsen retains the position of Treasurer. The board retained Raul Peragallo, Sean Hammon, Paul Reynolds, Troy Blanchard, Jim Viney, and Trina Pendelton as members.

The board also announced that the position of “Team Captain” will no longer be held automatically by the President of the Board of Directs. The Team Captain will be elected by the full membership of Queer Utah Aquatic Club at our Annual Awards and Party on January 10, 2009. Paul Reynolds retains the title of Team Captain until that time.

The QUAC fundraising committee, lead by Kenn Turner, announced nearly $3,000 have been raised in the last few months. They continue to do great work in securing the financial needs of our organization. Ski-n-Swim Committee co-chair Milan Jendrisek announced that his group is well on track for an exciting weekend full of events in February. A full report from the Ski-n-Swim Committee was made to the board, which is available separately.

The position of Head Swimming Coach has been filled by Paul Reynolds with Susann Topp as Assistant Coach. This team is excited to continue the great work done by Brian Harper over the past 20 months. Brian vacated the position to be by the side of his ailing mother. Pat Hayes retains the position of Head Polo Coach. Excellence in aquatics will remain the primary goal of QUAC Aquatic Club and will remain so under the leadership of these fine volunteers and their team of coaching assistants. They intend to make sure every practical and instructional need is met by swimmers and polo players to help each of us achieve our aquatic goals.

Members of QUAC auctioned their “packages” at Club Gossip on Dec 6, 2008.   Prizes included a 2 day ski package and a day spa package.  Our guys and gals in their Speedos were the “Price is Right” models for the night. All proceeds went to help fund the QUAC Ski-n-Swim weekend in February.

Thanks to Polo player and photographer David Daniels for showing up with his camera…

Click Here to visit the Full Gallery on Dav.d Daniels’ Blog.