WRAT 12/Under Important Updates - Pre-Long Course

Hard to believe we’ve been at it for seven months already as we wrap up a FUN and FAST short course season and successful championships across the board.  I hope you all are enjoying some down time with our reduced schedule while we await the start of long course season.  Long Course season runs April through July and refers to the fact the meets are held in 50-meter pools, opposed to 25-yard pools for short course. We will continue to follow the same practice schedule as short course through June. Once school gets out we will switch to our summer practice schedule, which we will be sure to release as soon as it is available.

There are a few items of importance as we head into the next season.

Long Course Meets

The process to get our entry accepted to long course meets is fairly high stakes, with most meets filling up within minutes, if not seconds, of opening.  We are still waiting on CT Swimming to release the full meet schedule, once they do we will review and release our team schedule.  Once we release our schedule, it is imperative that you commit your availability as soon as possible, as all of our entries for the whole summer need to be submitted in April in order to guarantee our spot.

Group Placements

Much like with school, we fully evaluate, review, and issue new group placements every fall with the start of the new swim year.  In this break between short course and long course season we will be moving many of those who are aging out of their group (newly 9, 11, and 13 year olds).  In order to keep a balance on group numbers, there may also be a few non-age based moves as well.  However, most swimmers can expect to get their new group placement at the end of summer.

Staffing

Coach Michele has decided to step back from coaching and will be finishing out the short course season through the clinic weeks.  Michele has been a tremendous member of our coaching staff and we are so very appreciative for all she has done.  You name the group, Michele is able to step in and not skip a beat.  She keeps herself up to date with the latest practice trends - which includes massive knowledge with stroke mechanics and working with young swimmers.  Michele leaves a huge void that we are looking - no easy feat - to fill.

As always, do not hesitate to reach out to your swimmer’s coach with any questions.

We are all looking forward to a great long course season! Go WRATS!