July 24, 2013
The 2013 Junior Olympics are back in Orange County, CA, this summer, and SkipShot magazine knows you're excited to be taking part in the world's biggest water polo tournament.
In advance of the competition are some fun tips to remember--things to bring, places to eat, sights to see, and more. We'll leave the Xs and Os to your coaches. Good luck out there!
10 Things to Bring
1. Identification: Sure everybody back home knows you're Steve, and you always wear #7, and you love Cheetos, but at JOs we'll need you to prove it. Make sure you have proper identification (see below)
2. Sunscreen: Not a single pool at Junior Olympics is indoors. Combine that with mid-summer sun, and that's a recipe for sunburn. Make sure you load up on sunscreen and reapply it throughout the day. Once in the morning won't cut it over a full day of matches.
3. Your Manners: Just like our friends at the Positive Coaching Alliance say, "Honor the game and your opponents." This means everyone--athletes, coaches, referees, and spectators--respecting each other.
4. Water/Snacks: You'll want to stay hydrated throughout Jos, and you're bound to get hungry. Don't forget your water bottle...and to keep it filled. Bring healthy snacks when you're in game mode (save grandma's snicker doodles for post-competition).
5. Rally Gear/Club T-Shirts: Nothing says we mean business like matching T-shirts. While not a requirement, team T-shirts are a great way to support your squad and your club. Many bring a variety of age groups to JOs. Done with your 16U game? Put on your club T-shirt and cheer on the 14U squad.
6. Music/Headphones/Books/Magazines: Help pass the down time between games with some music and reading. This can also come in handy on your way to and from the pool--just take care that your electronics and books don't get too close to the water.
7. Camera/Pictures: In the event you don't take every photo on your phone, bring a camera. Either way don't forget to document your team taking part in Junior Olympics. When posting photos to Twitter and Instagram, make sure you tag @USAWP so we can share your images.
8. GPS/Navigation: You don't get to be the world's largest water polo tournament without using a lot of pools. So know your 5 from your 55 and bring a GPS Navigation device to make sure your team doesn't get lost.
9. "Thank You" to Coaching Staff: Your coaches worked hard to get you ready for Junior Olympics. From the first day of practice to qualification, they've been there every step of the way. Win or lose, it's a nice idea to say thank you when the games are over.
10. Your Best: You and your team worked hard to get to the Junior Olympics--now show everyone what you're made of. Now's the time to be at your best and see if you can't end up on that podium stand. No matter what happened last summer, everyone here has a shot to be the best, so make the most of it.
5 Tips to Remember from Tony Azevedo
Before he was competing at four different Olympic Games, winning medals, and playing with top club teams in Europe, USA Team Captain Tony Azevedo played in Junior Olympics. Here are his five tips to remember:
1. Stay Hydrated! Most of the time you're waiting in the sun or hanging around all day... and not staying hydrated. That will definitely affect your performance. I usually have a Zico coconut water on hand.
2. Eat Healthy! Again, after games and while waiting, you need to replenish your body and give it energy. Pistachios, dried fruit, almonds, cashews, and bananas are great snacks.
3. Warm-Up! I can't over-emphasize the importance of warming up, doing bands, etc., when playing many games. When your body gets fatigued, injuries happen. I would say do at least 10 minutes of dryland before every game.
4. Visualize! I would always take a few minutes before warm-up to relax and think about the game. It's good to go over things the coach said, think about your opponent, your defense, your shots, etc., before you enter the pool. Be mentally prepared for anything.
5. Play Together! JOs isn't about the best player--it's about the best team. Stay united, play for each other, and if players make mistakes, then be there to pick them up. Remember: A good player sees an open goal, but a great player sees an open teammate.
Top 5 Things to Do When You Don't Have a Game
1. The Beach: For many of you this is nothing new, but for those coming from areas not as close to the Pacific or Atlantic, Orange County has a bunch of beaches to check out. Laguna Beach and Newport Beach are popular from TV and movies while Huntington Beach is known as "Surf City" and is home to USA Water Polo.
2. Knott's Berry Farm: Depending on your schedule you might have some time to visit one of the area's many theme parks. Knott's Berry Farm should be your first stop as USA Water Polo members receive discounts on tickets purchased online. Enter the promo code usapolo to recieve discounts to Knott's Berry Farm and their water park Soak City, both located in Buena Park right near the 5, 91, and 22 freeways. Visit Knotts.com for more!
3. Angels Games (Session 2 Only): Done with all your games early in the day? The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and their stadium--affectionately known as "The Big A"--aren't far away. The Angels host the Toronto Blue Jays August 1-4; visit www.angels.com for more information.
4. Hollywood: Ever dream of being in the movies? Visiting Hollywood won't necessarily put you in one, but it isn't a bad start. If you or your team has some time and the patience of a licensed driver to navigate Southern California traffic, this could be for you. The mall at Hollywood and Highland provides easy access to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hard Rock Cafe, and sightlines for those must-have Instagram photos of the "Hollywood" sign on Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills.
5. Irvine Spectrum: If you've always felt more malls should have Ferris wheels, the Irvine Spectrum has you covered. A giant shopping center located around the intersection of the 5 and 405 freeways, this mall has everything. Along with the aforementioned Ferris wheel, it hosts a ton of stores, restaurants, a movie theater, and more.
5 Cheeseburger Places You Should Visit
While some maintain the hamburger was invented in Hamburg, Germany, Southern California has taken great pains to raise the ante and offer extensive burger options. Without starting a royal rumble, here are five to check out.
1. In N' Out (Multiple Locations): The standard bearer for cheeseburgers in Southern California. If you don't like In N' Out, keep it to yourself--locals will not hear any anti-double-double chatter. There's a reason for this: The food is really good and relatively inexpensive. Cruise the Internet for In N' Out's "secret" menu, which is in no way a secret any longer.
2. Slater's 50/50 (Anaheim Hills/Huntington Beach): One location is just an errant lob shot from JO pool site Canyon High School, while the other is off Beach Boulevard in Huntington Beach. If you want more bacon in your life, this place is for you. The signature burger is the 50/50--a half-meat, half-mashed-up bacon patty.
3. The Catch (Anaheim): Offers a burger perfect for your entire team, or at least the starting seven. The OMG Burger will have you saying exactly that when you see it. Weighing in at roughly six pounds and costing likely more than your weekly allowance, this behemoth rests on a nest of French fries and is topped with a mini slider. Pro tip: Eat this after a game, not before.
4. Red Robin (Multiple Locations): This burger joint may be old hat to some of you, but it earns a spot on this list for two reasons. First, variety; second, bottomless fries. The Royal Red Robin Burger is as elegant as it sounds--topped with bacon and a fried egg. You also can get your burgers in the chicken or turkey variety if ground beef is not your thing.
5. Burger Parlor (Fullerton): Located in downtown Fullerton, a bustling hub of activity, comes this burger joint with a nod to creativity. A veggie burger made of beets or potato chips inside is possible here. Like The Catch, this joint is a bit pricier, so keep that in mind if the whole team is rolling.
Important--photo ID required for all participants
The following IDs will be accepted:
* USAWP Membership ID card--with current photo of athlete (temporary cards accepted)
* Driver's license
* School ID
* Color copy of passport photo page--original document not required
* U.S. Immigration documents
Important Links
Junior Olympics Information Page: http://usawaterpolo.org/junior-olympics/
JO Expo Information Page: http://www.usawaterpolo.org/junior-olympics/jo-expo.html
Junior Olympic Schedule and Results: http://juniorolympics.com/
