About Us

The Westport Weston Family Y Water Rat Swim Team is a year-round, nationally recognized competitive swim program organized and operated by the Aquatics Department of the Westport Weston Family Y. Of note, the Westport Weston Family Y has been part of the fabric of community life in Westport since it opened its doors in 1923. Consistent with the Y's mission, the team focuses on building strong kids, strong families and strong communities.

The Water Rat Swim Team competes in Y competition at the local level through dual meets and at the state and national level. The team is also a registered USA Swimming Team sanctioned by Connecticut Swimming, Inc. and competes in USA competitive swimming at the local, regional, state, zone and national level.

Vision Statement: To become a world class competitive swim team.

Mission Statement: The Westport Weston Family Y Water Rat Swim Team embraces a team philosophy that commits it to develop the highest level of competitive excellence for every swimmer, while simultaneously encouraging spirit, honesty, team pride, personal commitment and individual growth.

Team Name and Identity: We are proud of our team and the accomplishments of our members and we like to insure that we are consistent in our team identity. Our official team name is the Westport Weston Family Y Water Rat Swim Team. The term WRAT refers to our USA Swimming Club code. It should not be used with other team terms. For instance, we are not the "Water WRATS", nor are we the "Westport WRATS". You may see the term "WRAT" on bathing caps or as a stand-alone term, but we'd prefer to refer to our swimmers as "Water Rat" swimmers and not "WRAT" swimmers!

Team History: The Water Rat Swim Team boasts a 58-year history of competitive swimming excellence. The team was established in 1949. From the beginning, the team was a perennial state champion. The team originally practiced in the Y Brophy pool, built in 1929 and renovated in 1978, at the current Post Road location of the Y. The team became a year round program in the late 60's and early 70's with the co-sponsorship of the Westport Recreation Department. The team used the Longshore Pool during the summers. Legend has it that the name "Water Rats" was established at that time when water rats were actually found in the Longshore Pool! The Longshore Pool is outdoors on Long Island Sound. As a result of the construction of the Y's Stauffer Pool in 1978, the team grew in size and stature and added its first full-time coach.

The Team Today: The Water Rat Swim Team is 215 swimmers strong, with two full time professional swim coaches and several part time coaches. Swimmers from the age of 5 through 22 compete at all levels with the Water Rats. Practices are held in both the Brophy and Stauffer Pools at the Y as well as at the Staples High School pool in Westport.

Through the team experience and the sport of swimming, our swimmers have a unique opportunity to learn skills that will serve them well for a lifetime. They learn how to set personal goals and how to work hard in a consistent and methodical way to make those goals a reality, they learn excellent swimming skills, they learn how to be a member of a team and how important it is to be there for their friends and team mates. Our swimmers develop self-discipline and self-confidence. They get to experience the joy of victory and the exhilaration of being a champion and they also learn how to handle the agony of defeat. Our swimmers also make many enduring friendships through the team experience. The team believes once a Water Rat, always a Water Rat!

Team Accomplishments: The Water Rat Swim Team has been a perennial champion with great accomplishments throughout its more than 50 year history of swimming excellence! Those accomplishments are too numerous to chronicle here. Some of the most recent team accomplishments include:

Beyond the Water Rats: Our swimmers excel in the water and also show a very strong aptitude for academics. This doesn't surprise us, as swimmers are among the smartest people we know! Many of our swimmers have continued to swim competitively and set records in college. Some have received significant athletic scholarships over the years. Others have chosen to put the competitive advantage they learned in the pool to use fully for academic purposes. Some of the colleges and universities attended by Water Rat swimmers over the past several years include: Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford University, Dartmouth College, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, University of Delaware, University of Virginia, Georgetown University, Middlebury College, Wesleyan University, Fairfield University, Emory University, Notre Dame, Syracuse, Williams, Amherst, Brown, Bates, Bowdoin, Villanova, University of North Carolina,Old Dominion University, Iona College, Mary Washington College, Washington & Lee, University of Roanoke, Pennsylvania State, Boston College, Boston University, Rollins College, Franklin & Marshall, Duke, Wake Forest University, Tufts, MIT, Vanderbilt, Colgate, Louisiana State, College of Charleston, Columbia, NYU, Rutgers, University of Maryland, United States Naval Academy, Northeastern University, Miami of Ohio, University of Florida, Indiana University-PA, Purdue, Southern Illinois University and James Madison University.

Team Structure: Currently, there are seven practice groups for the Water Rats and two pre-team developmental groups. The practice schedule is posted on this web site.

The Bluefish: A pre-team developmental group for 8/U swimmers.

The Stripers: A pre-team developmental group for swimmers 9 years of age and older.

8/Under Red Group: This group is geared to children 8 years of age and younger who are trying competitive swimming for the first time. Enthusiasm is the primary requirement! Instruction in streamlining, freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, relays, starts, flip turns, the rules of competition and goal planning is offered. Swimmers are prepared for 25 and 50-yard races. Practices are structured but fun.

8/Under Blue Group: This group is for swimmers age 8 and under who have already learned the basics of competitive swimming. Emphasis is placed on stroke instruction; all race starts and turns, and advanced competitive skills. Interval training is introduced at this level to prepare swimmers for the age group practices. Swimmers may compete in 25, 50 and 100 yard races.

Junior Age Group: This group is geared to children ages 9 and older that are trying competitive swimming for the first time or who need instruction in all four of the basic strokes. Starts, turns, relays, the rules of competition and goal planning are included in the instruction. Swimmers are prepared for 50 and 100-yard races.

Intermediate Age group: This group includes experienced swimmers ages 9 and older that are not ready to commit to a full training schedule. Equal emphasis is on stroke technique and interval training. An introduction to race strategy, dry land training and goal planning is covered. Swimmers are encouraged to participate in 4 practices per week.

Advanced Age group: This group is composed of the most dedicated and skilled swimmers age nine and older who are committed to an intensive training program. Race strategy and training for a full range of sprint and distance events are offered. Fine-tuning of all strokes, starts and turns is emphasized. Dry land conditioning and goal planning are an integral part of this practice level. Swimmers are encouraged to participate in at least five practices per week.

Senior II: This group is designed for swimmers 13 years of age and older preparing for the commitment expected of them at the senior level. Emphasis is on conditioning for serious training. Swimmers are expected to attend at least five practices per week.

Senior: This group is for the 13 and older swimmers who demonstrates high levels of motivation and proficiency, and who possesses an advanced training background. The Senior program prepares the swimmer for USA and YMCA state, regional and national competition. Attendance at all practice sessions is expected.

Water Rat Season Schedules: The Water Rats offer a year round competitive swimming program. The team swims two seasons. Short course practices begin in September with competition ending in late March and early April. Competitions take place in 25-yard pool facilities. Long course season practices start in late April/early May with competitions ending in August. Competition for the age group and senior team takes place in 50-meter pool facilities.

Team Tryouts: Team try-outs are held twice each year at the beginning of each season. Contact the swim team office for specific dates for try-outs. Experienced, competitive swimmers who are interested in joining the team should contact the coaches before the tryout date(s).

        For team information and to register for tryouts, please contact Water Rat
        Head Coach Bill Krumm at (203) 226-8981 ext. 117 or by e-mail.

Next team tryouts - September 10 & 11, 2007

Team Fees: Fees vary by season, by the age of the swimmer, and in certain instances by the numbers of children on the team. Specifics can be obtained from Head Coach Bill Krumm at (203) 226-8981 ext. 117 or by e-mail

• Y Membership Fee - All swim team members must be members of the Westport Weston Family Y.
• Y Program Fees - Due each year, covers practice and meet time.
• USA Swimming Fees - covers USA swimming registration, meet and championship entry fees. Money is put in escrow.
• PET-WRAT Fees- An annual assessment for each swim team family to guarantee the budget to cover the team operating expenses. A system exists for families to earn this assessed fee back through a combination of fund-raising and volunteer activities for the team.

Scholarships are available to those with demonstrated need.

If a participant cancels before the first day of practice, a full refund will be issued. After practices begin, refunds will be issued only for documented medical reasons.

Team Apparel: Team apparel is one of the many ways in which we build team spirit and team attitude. A team swim suit, a team bathing cap (if the swimmer chooses to wear a cap at competitions), team sweats for the senior team, and a team shirt and shorts for the age group and 8/under teams are required for all competitions. Apparel is available through Metro Swim Shop, conveniently located across from the Church Lane entrance to the Y. Optional team items are also available. Examples include team backpacks, sweatshirts, sweat pants, parkas and much more.