Good Afternoon – First and foremost, the season is off to a great start. Please know that staff is motivated and excited to be on deck with your swimmers. This is the first ALL team email of the season and I do hope you will take the time to read the information in this message as we have a lot going on with the team and the Y as a whole. Ø No Practice Today – Thursday, September 25TH Ø The Y received its final approval yesterday from the Town...

Swimmer of the Week – Week 2 Justin Bacon Justin is in his 5th year with the Water Rats and a member of the SAG group this year. He is a natural leader and the coaching staff is thrilled he attends almost every practice as he is often a demonstrator for the group. Justin is an Age Group Championship qualifier in the freestyle and butterfly events, and is excited to represent the Water Rats again this year at the Age Group Championships. Congratulations to Justin for being the first SAG...

Dear Water Rats, The Annual Awards Banquet hosted by Connecticut Swimming is fast approaching. The deadline to RSVP for this event is Friday, October 3rd. The banquet will be held SUnday, November 2nd at 12:45pm at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, CT. This is a great opportunity for athletes to be recognized among their peers. Top 16 swimmers in each event and age group will receive awards. There is also a contact to send your pictures to if you would like them to be included in the slide show...

Dear Water Rats, The video attached to this email highlights the importance of head position. If your Water Rat age-groupers have shared what we do in practice the term "Superman" or "Kick Drill" has most likely been stated. Michael Phelps, attempting to earn his 7th gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games, defeated his opponent by one hundreth of a second in the 100 meter butterfly. Pay close attention to the finish, and watch how Michael's opponent lifting his head out of "Superman" position cost him the gold medal! No...

Dear Water Rats, Please visit shopASF.com and check out the Logowear link on the top of the page. Click on Water Rat Swimming and you will be brought to the team gear page. Reminder that two t-shirts, one white and one gray, as well as the Speedo Sonic Jacket are required for all Water Rats this year. Click on the link below to be taken directly to our team apparel page. There will be a parent volunteer in the lobby of the Y this evening (Wednesday, September 17th) from 5:15-7:00pm...

2014-2015 Water Rat Swim Team Meet Schedule (subject to change)

Dear Water Rats, In an effort to be pro-active, have clear lines of communication between parents and coaches, and to disperse important information in a timely manner we will be having monthly Parent Meetings the first Wednesday of every month. Below is a list of meeting dates for the short course season and themes for those meetings. This is also a valuable time to ask any questions to the coaches face to face. Coach Kristen and myself are always available via email and phone, and for conferences, however we believe...

Dear Water Rats, The following link is an article posted in the Nutrition Center under the Tips and Training tab on the USA Swimming official website. I had the pleasure of coaching the author's daughter while at New Canaan and gained insights on the importance of nutrition for swimmers. Click on the link below and explore other articles on nutrition. USASWIMMING.ORG is a fantastic resource for both parents and athletes. Go Water Rats! Thanks, Chandler http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=1635&itemid=6141&mid=11541

"Success is a peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming." - Coach John R. Wooden Below is a link to an inspiring speech given by renowned UCLA basketball coach John R. Wooden. He discusses his Pyramid of Succes and what it takes to be successful. Winning is a by-product of doing things the right way. "The journey is better than the end." As we embark on a...

Please support the Westport Weston Family Y Water Rat Swim Team by purchasing your gear at SwimOutlet.com http://www.swimoutlet.com/WaterRats