Water Rat Welcome Note

Team Administrator Williams

 

 

Dear Water Rat Families,

 

On behalf of the Water Rat Coaching Staff, I wanted to welcome you all and let you all know how excited we are to start the new 2025-2026 swim year. 

 

We dive back into the pool beginning on Monday, September 8.  Practice schedule is attached.  Also, please make yourself aware of some modified scheduling:

Week I - September 8: Practices will be Monday thru Friday

  • Note: NO Saturday or morning practices

Week II – September 15: Practices will be Monday thru Saturday

Week III – September 22: Morning Practices will begin

 

Before we get into our swimming groove, I felt it important to make you all aware of a few items:

 

I. I am excited to introduce new to our coaching staff Todd Stevens.  Coach Todd has been a competitive swim coach for 37 years.  His most recent stint was 27 years with the Wilton Wahoos and Wilton High School.  During Coach Todd’s career, he has been recognized as the ASCA Coach of the Year, FCIAC Coach of the Year, CHSCA and CISCA Coach of the Year.  He has also volunteered within CT Swimming in various capacities. We are thrilled to add a coach with such tremendous experience and success to our Water Rat Family. Coach Todd will be the lead Coach the Challenger II and Senior III practice groups as well being on deck as needed with other practice groups.

 

II. Practice group coaches will be sending out specific group emails towards the end of the week.

  • Here are the lead coaches for each practice group:
    • Red and Blue 8 & Under Groups: Coach John Whiteside
    • Discovery III - 10 & Under: Coach Rich Carter
    • Discovery I & II - 10 & Under: Coach Kristen Finnegan
    • Challenger II - 11& 12: Coach Todd Stevens
    • Challenger I - 11 & 12: Coach Rich Carter
    • Senior III – 13 & Over: Coach Todd Stevens
    • Senior I – 14 & Over and Senior II – 13 & Over: Coach Ellen Johnston
      • Assisting on deck will be:
        • Coach Jamie Gremp
        • Coach Omar Cruz
        • Coach Charlie Nadel
  • Coach Emails:

 

III. Practice Notes: Practice Schedule is attached to this email.

  • Swimmers are to arrive on deck in a practice suit, swim cap and goggles
    • Swimmers may use the locker rooms and are encouraged to do so. 
    • Swimmers may also enter through the observation area of the pool and down the stairwell.
    • Equipment: Metro Swim Shop will be at the Y, September 9 & 10 in the observation area of the natatorium: 430-7pm.
      • Here is what each group requires:
        • Blue and Red: Speedo Pull-Kick, Snorkel and Fins
        • Discovery I, II & III and Challenger I & II: Snorkel, Speedo Pull-Kick and Fins
        • Senior I, II & III: Snorkel, Speedo Pull-Kick, Speedo Switchblade Fin or DMC Super Fin or DMC Elite Fin, Speedo Power Paddle Plus and Drag Sox.
          • The drag sox need to be ordered separately - LINK
  • Spectator Watching: We are one of the few teams that allows parents to watch – or relax – in the stands.  Please note the following:
    • The FRONT row is closed for practice spectator watching.
    • Should you accompany your swimmer through the spectator area, you may see them to the stairwell and they will come down onto the pool deck.
    • You may escort your child through the family locker room to pool deck, and then leave. No standing in the wet corridor during practice.
    • To clarify, no parents are to be on the pool deck during practice.

 

III. Health Notes:     

  • Should your swimmer(s) have any specific health concerns - e.g. Sever allergies, prone to seizures. Asthma or diabetes to list a few – please email your swimmer’s coach ASAP and to inform of such and if any specific protocols are in place.

 

Lastly, I hope you all will be able to make it to the Kick-Off BBQ at Mahackeno on Sunday, September 21:

            Check In will begin at 330pm

Lunch and Dessert from 4pm – 5pm

All Team Meeting at 5pm

            Please sign up on Team Unify

 

GO WRATS!

 

Ellen