Hi all.  It was a great 2012 with the formation of a more formal club, our move to and new sponsor Nutrisport – Full Potential Training, and our success with Carol and Julie attending the WKC worlds in Chicago and Julie coming away a champion!  With growth comes a re-examination of the way we operate.  We came up with a few updates/announcements that will help us operate smoothly in the new year.  As always, if you have any questions, let us know.

1. There are no weekday classes right now.  Weekends are filling up nicely however.  We have had 5 or 6 new folks join us in the last month or so.
2. Saturday class is at 10 and Sunday is at 930. These are now officially “team practices.”  We will always welcome new people…and they are welcome to come on the weekends for their first class, etc.   First classes are always free and beyond that, it needs to be Greg/Julie’s discretion.
3. Going forward, we’re going to constrain “the team” to a ratio of “students to certified teachers.”  We need folks who are interested in doing Russian Sport Kettlebell for fun, fitness, and perhaps competition.  This ratio allows us to keep the size of the group constrained and keep our mission clear.  The ratio is at Greg/Julie’s discretion.
4. Be on time to class.  We’re all big people.  This should be obvious.
5. If you’ve chosen SAT or SUN for your class, come to that class and don’t switch around  This is key to having enough room.  Don’t flip flop.  If you’d like to flip flop, remember it’s only $10 more to have both SAT and SUN available to you.  $25 gets you one weekend day.  $35 gets you both.  When we’re full for both of those classes, we’ll add a second hour.
6. If you are going to borrow someone’s kettlebell (remember most of the KB’s are owned except for the pink ones), you must get permission from the person – period.  Odds are if the KB is left at Nutrisport, it’s no big…but these are expensive assets and we can’t assume.
7. Consider buying a KB if you haven’t already.  Most of us are progressing past pink.  There are few blues and almost no yellows which aren’t owned.  I can put together a larger order and try to get a shipping discount.  The older style is very affordable.  Let me know.  The club will be purchasing some bells in the near future – but this will likely only accommodate the new folks and perhaps ensure you have a “pair of bells” to do long cycle, etc.  IF you’re going to buy ANYTHING from WKC (bells, training, etc.) please use this link http://products.worldkettlebellclub.com/196.html.  This is the ticket to our team getting a commission.  Your price stays the same.  Thank you!
8. If you’re going to compete in June at the WKC Ohio pentathlon, get serious now.  I’m sure our leaders will set you up with some guidelines for training.
9. Make sure you see Doug or Greg or Julie if you aren’t already paying for classes.  In our initial stages, we had a lot of flexibility and some punch card options.  Now that we have our legs under us, we have 2 trainers (Greg/Julie) who are helping to grow this effort as we accumulate funds for future equipment, competitions, certifications, etc.  If you are not Greg or Julie, sign up at your next SAT/SUN class.  I will stash an envelope with the forms at Nutrisport and let everyone know where they are.
10. If you didn’t already know, our very own Carol Benson is teaching at the Walnut Creek Y!  Great job Carol and I’m sure you are training people in the ways of the force (minus the Russiantucky accent.)
11. A few of us have started doing personal training with Tyler at Nutrisport.  He’s a good guy and very affordable. I think Carol, Mary, and I for sure can attest to this.

Again, please have a a great new year and if you’d like to try Russian Kettlebell sport, there’s no need to look further than the Des Moines Kettlebell Club.