What's New

The Hutchinson Classic concluded what has been a hectic month of swimming for the Water Rat Team. The team has been involved in ten competitions since the Freestyle Frenzy, both USA Swimming and Y dual meets, and has offered a minimum of four opportunities for each swimmer to participate.

We have hosted four of the ten meets at the Y. We are fortunate to have parents willing to step up and oversee these events. We have an impressive officials group that is setting the tone for what other teams hope to emulate.

Striving to attain a higher level of excellence, as a swimmer and team, takes effort. It takes commitment in supporting not only your child but what the team and program stand for. We are the largest registered team in Connecticut. That carries additional responsibilities. We are committed to running high quality swim meets and we attend meets to offer swimmers the opportunity to test their skills.

It is common practice throughout the country for teams attending meets to supply workers. As mentioned before, our officials group is highly respected and is constantly tapped to help run meets. We are also asked to supply timers or other workers as needed – especially at championship meets.

The meet this week-end was delayed several times because there were not enough timers on deck. Several announcements were made specifically requesting Water Rat volunteers. We cannot remember when that last happened, and frankly it is unacceptable for a team of our caliber. Furthermore, there were several instances when parents declined to help when requested because their point commitment had been met. This is not about points. It is about accepting the responsibility of being on a team. It is about providing the opportunity for our children to compete. As parents, we have an important role to play in teaching our children what it means to be on a team and setting a positive example will be of great benefit.

Order your WRAT Team Towel today!
Makes a great holiday gift for your favorite swimmer
Bring your order form and check to the swim office by Nov. 16th

We are still in need of 4 people to help unload the truck tomorrow morning 6 to 8 a.m. This is a perfect job for Senior parents who are already bringing their child to the Y for 6 a.m. practice. Volunteer Here.

Parent Education Opportunity

Without question, the success of the team, is due in large part to a tremendously active and educated group of parents that volunteer their time in many, many ways. We have another great educational opportunity being offered by USA Swimming right here is Westport on September 14-15, 2007. By attending The Club Leadership and Business Management School, the Water Rat Parents Club will continue to strengthen. All are invited and encouraged to attend.

Team Registration Begins
(Registration form due now from current team members)

This year's team registration packet will be mailed soon. The packet contains all the information for the 2007-2008 year. Swimmers will register for the entire year with a new nine month installment payment option. Current team members have until Aug. 24th to return the team registration form to secure your spot on the team. New prospective members should click here for team tryout information. See more info under News & Announcements to the right of this webpage.

Coach Kevin Cullinan has accepted the position of 8/under coach. Kevin has been coaching with the team for two years and replaces Tara Driscoll who resigned recently to concentrate on her full-time teaching position.

RTM Rejects Overturning Approvals for Y

Westport’s Representative Town Meeting (RTM) in two votes rejected motions to overturn the Flood and Erosion Control Board and Conservation Commission approvals of the Westport Weston Family Y’s application made as part of its effort to build a new Y at its Mahackeno property. The vote on the Flood and Erosion Control Board decision was 29-4 (one abstention) and the vote on the Conservation Commission decision was 18-17 (one abstention).

Water Rats Excel at Championships

The championship season includes many competitions including our CSSL League Championships where the team swam very well. At the CT Senior Championships, the men's team finished 2nd. At the CT Age Group Championships, the team finished third overall with team titles for the 10/under & 11/12 boys. Individual champions included, Karen Chu, Jonathan Blansfield, and Nathaniel Boley. Andrew Grinalds will compete in the USA Swimming Junior National Championships in Indianapolis and a record 14 swimmers will compete at the Eastern Zone Championships in Buffalo. Zone qualifiers include, Claudia Landowne, Michael DeLuca, Bryce Keblish, Tommy Gannon, Mark Bryne, Nathaniel Boley, Gannon Davis, Sam Delise, Bradley Helt, Matt Wisher, Emma Fitzsimmons, Gabrielle Wimer, Karen Chu and Molly Loftus.

Congratulations on a great championship season!

Championship Hotel Reservation Info

The team reserves a block of hotel rooms for championship meets and reservations need to be made by the listed deadlines. Swimmers in the early morning session of multi-day meets or swimmers attend both trials/finals should consider reserving a room. You can always cancel later.

CT Age Group Championships - Courtyard Marriott - $85+/rate
July 26-29, 2007 - we have a block TH/FR/SA
Reserve a room by 6/25/07

To reserve a room, contact Bill with dates and accommodations needed (# of rooms, double, etc.) by the listed deadline date.

Opponents of the new Family Y at Mahackeno are seeking to have the Westport RTM overturn the Conservation Commission decision to approve the Y's application. While the Town Charter provides for such a process, a check through the Town Clerk's office revealed that there has been no instance since 1949 that a Conservation Commission decision has been reviewed, let alone overturned.

The Conservation Commissioners are dedicated individuals who bring professional experience to their volunteer roles. A number have advanced degrees in engineering, architecture and related fields. Now there are those in town who would have these people second-guessed by individuals without similar expertise.

If the Conservation Commission decision is overturned, the Y will not be able to proceed to the Planning & Zoning Commission. The only recourse would be to bring a lawsuit against the town.

The RTM expects to vote on this issue on July 10th. The vote is a simple majority of those in attendance that evening. There is no standard by which the RTM is to judge the decision. They will study it in committee, debate and vote.

If you live in Westport, please contact your RTM representatives (RTM Members) by mail, email and/or telephone (contact info) to voice your support for the Family Y at Mahackeno. Write a letter to the newspapers to voice your opposition to the politicization of the permitting process. (Westport Newspaper Contact Info) Even if you do not live in Westport, you can still write a letter to the newspapers to protest this action. Attendance at the July 10th meeting will also be important. We will need to fill the auditorium with yellow T-shirts.

Your support is needed now more than ever. The future of the Family Y rests on this decision.

Water Rat Survey

We have launched our 2007 WRAT Survey. Tell us what you think! Each family was sent an email with a link to take our latest survey. It only takes a few minutes (honest!). ALL responses are kept confidential—survey results will be compiled in the aggregate and the results will be shared. Please respond by June 15^th.
If you have any questions or problems with the survey, email Andrea Boissevain.

Team Apparel Orders
One order placed this season
Orders due by: May 15, 2007

Thursday - May 17, 2007 - 7-8pm

All parents of new swimmers to the team are invited to a new parents meeting on Thursday, May 17th in the Y Board Room from 7-8pm. He is your chance to see what the program has to offer and to ask questions.

6th Annual Castles in the Sand
Compo Beach, Westport
Saturday, May 12th
Noon to 4:00 pm
Rain date, Sunday, May 13th
Event Flyer

Calling all 8/under and age group swimmers! We will participate in this fun event! Our team contact is Jeanne Bowles and we'll have a volunteer signup on the website soon. This event is for any 8/u or age group swimmer. The senior team will be hosting and competing in a meet at Wesleyan on these dates.

CT Senior Open Championship
Mar. 15-18, 2007
Wesleyan University
Host Site - results posted

Team Records Fall at Zones

On the final day of competition at the Eastern Zone Championships, Verity Abel set a team record for 9/10 girls in the 100 Fly (1:08.96), and Karen Chu set a team record for 13/14 girls in the 1650 Free (17:59.59). Both girls placed sixth in their events. Ten year old Jonathan Blansfield also competed at the meet and placed eleventh in the 10/u boys 500 Free and anchored the fourth place 10/u boys 400 Free Relay. Congratulations!

Westport Conservation Commission*

*The commission voted to approve our application 6-1 (with conditions). On to P & Z.

Long Course Season Registration

Each current team family should have received a registration packet in the mail recently. Current members must return the registration form along with fees that are due to the WRAT office by April 20th.

Team Policy:
The Water Rat Swim Team is a year-round program and the Long Course Season practice schedule takes effect on Monday, April 23, 2007. A mailing will be sent to all current families with registration form and information. The info will also be available on the website. Current WRAT swimmers will have until Friday, April 20, 2007 to register and pay for the long course season. Swimmers not registered by 4/20/07, will be added back to the team on a space available basis. We will once again operate at capacity this spring/summer and accept new swimmers to do so. If you choose not to pay your long course season program fees, re-acceptance to the team next fall will be afforded on a space available basis. We fully realize that many of you travel or go to camp in the summer. As long as your program fees are paid for the season, your spot on the team is secure for the following short course season.

WRAT Recognition Night

All swimmers and their families are invited to come together to celebrate the 2006-2007 short course season. Swimmers will be honored and will receive a participation award and team yearbook. The evening is a pot luck event followed by awards presentations. Parents are asked to volunteer on the website to help at the event. Swimmers are asked to dress appropriately.

What to Bring
A-J Main Course or Heavy Hors d’oeurve
K-P Appetizer
Q-Z Dessert

The Stauffer Pool filters were scheduled to be repaired during the break, but that was not possible, so unfortunately we will lose the pool for a couple of days. Team practices scheduled at the Y on Friday and Saturday (4/27-28) are canceled. Correction: 8/under practices begin on Monday (4/30), so their practices are not affected. Thanks for your understanding.

Movie PRIDE
comes out on Friday 3/23

USA Swimming is excited to announce the Pride in Your Club contest. During the following period, March 23rd –April 15th, all USA Swimming club members are encouraged to go see Pride at their local theater. Details of the contest are here.

Brown University will not be available March 17-18 for Y New Englands as scheduled. Unfortunately, our team will not be attending the Y New Engands this year. Sorry!! Any questions, please contact Bill

As some of you have heard, I’m leaving for Madrid, Spain the 16th of February. I will be doing exchange for 6 weeks through an exchange program at my school. I will be staying with a family and their daughter who attends the same school I will be attending. The main reason for my 6 six week trip is to immerse myself in Spanish to the point that I can speak it pretty fluently. I also look forward to the different cultural experience since I will be living in another country, with a new family, with an entirely different language. I will be taking many of the same classes that I take in my current school; some are history, ethics, gym, Spanish, and some other different classes. Since our math and science programs don’t line up I won’t be taking them there but have to stay up with the work at home. It will be a lot of work but hopefully my experience will be fun and I hope to learn a lot. See you all when I get back!

Championship Hotel Reservation Info

CT Age Group Championships - Courtyard Marriott - $85+/rate
March 8-11, 2007 - we have a block TH/FR/SA
Reserve a room by 2/5/07

CT Senior Championships - Courtyard Marriott - $85+/rate
March 15-18, 2007 - we have a block TH/FR/SA
Reserve a room by 2/12/07

YMCA New England Championships - Crowne Plaza - $109+/rate
March 17-18, 2007 - we have a block FR/SA
Reserve a room by 2/19/07

To reserve a room, contact Bill with dates and accommodations needed (# of rooms, double, etc.) by the listed deadline date.

Official's Clinic
Wednesday, February 7^th, 2007 - 6:00 p.m.
Fairfield YMCA

841 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT

INSTRUCTOR:
Mike Huffman michael.huffman@thehartford.com
Home (860) 257-3053
Please confirm if you plan to attend

The Water Rat Parents Club is putting together the nominating committee to present a slate of officers for elections later this year. The Nominating Committee will consist of five members: a current board member, a member of the coaching staff, and three general members of the Club.

If you would be interested in being on the nominating committee, please submit your name to Bonnie Strittmatter. The Nominating committee will be formed at the February 1st Parent Club board meeting. Please submit your name by January 31st. There will be no volunteer points offered for serving on the Nominating committee.

Mental Toolbox
Achieving Success Through Mental Excellence

CELEBRATE YOUR SWIMMER’S AWESOME SWIM SEASON WITH A FUN GOODIE BAG PSYCHING THEM UP FOR THEIR BIG CHAMPIONSHIP MEET.

ORDER DEADLINE:
8/Unders – Friday, February 9th – Will be delivered before the 8/under Championships
Age Groupers and Seniors – Monday, February 19th – Will be delivered the first week of March
[Please adhere to the deadline dates, as the Age Group/Senior deadline is during school break.]

Greetings from Bob Knoebel

Sad News

Some of you may remember Jenn Corb who was an assistant age group coach on our team several years ago. Her infant son Michael lost his battle with leukemia on December 12th. We send our deepest condolences to the Corb family.

Michael Corb's Carepage - login required

Holiday Giving Tree

Each year the Family Y decorates the Giving Tree with Ornaments. The ornaments are for members to come in and take off the tree. Each ornament has a gift and price listed for you to purchase. All purchased gifts and the ornament are then returned to the Y Member Service Desk. Little elfs from the Y will then distribute the gifts to needed families in the community. What a great way to help the less fortunate enjoy a happy holiday season. All purchased gifts must be returned by Dec. 20th.

Edward T. Bedford
Age Group Qualifier

The team hosted the annual Edward T. Bedford Age Group Qualifier at the Westport Weston Family Y on December 2-3, 2006. Thanks to Meet Manager Joyce Eldh and all the help from our parents for a great meet!!!

Session 2 Practice Schedule
Begins Monday, 11/27/06

Please pick up t-shirts and or bags from the first order in the team office on Saturday December 2nd or on Sunday December 3rd. Feel free to call me at 254-0187 or e-mail me at bronsonvr@aol.com with any questions.

Coach Bill Krumm was selected to be the Head Manager for the USA Swimming Boys National Select Camp being held Nov. 15-19 at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Thirty boys ages 16 and younger

representing the 2 fastest in each event have been selected from throughout the USA. Bill will also attend the Golden Goggles Awards Show being held at the Beverly Hilton on November 19th.

Citrus/Pecan Sale

Team Apparel
Last order placed with Metro Swim Shop this season due 11/15/06

Online Team Store

We have created an online store for "optional" Water Rat apparel. Anyone can just click on the online store link under the Team Information tab above

and order directly from the site. Items are delivered directly to your door.

The only qualifications at the moment are it will take 3-4 weeks for the initial orders to be shipped as we have to have our logo digitized for the embroidery and screen print.

Also, screen print orders will be run in batches subject to the printers minimum requirements so there may be a delay until there are enough orders to print.

Online Volunteer System

Everyone should have received an email recently with instructions on the use of our online volunteer sign-up system. If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Belleveau.

Proving that parents can still swim too, Josh van Hulst (parent of Suzy and Robert Valdes Rodriguez) and Todd Freeman (parent of Ben) are participating together with a few GE colleagues in the Escape from Alcatraz event in San Francisco. Click here for more info. In addition to their objective of escaping successfully, they are raising money for ORBIS International which is an outstanding humanitarian organization that works globally to eliminate blindness and restore eyesight in the developing world. Orbis and its international medical teams have conducted treatments and training programs in more than 85 countries since 1982. The Orbis website: www.orbis.org has lots of information on this great organization.

Support for TEAM SHARKBAIT is welcome and appreciated. Their swim in the chilly water and currents of San Francisco Bay won't be easy. A special website is set up to make giving quick and easy. http://www.orbis.org/ge

Water Rat Swimmers attend
National and Zone Competitions

Nine Water Rat swimmers attended high level competitions in August. Michael Dunn attended the Junior National Championships being held in Irvine, CA, August 7-11. Jeff Helt, Helene Neuhaus, Karen Chu, Tomoya Sakaguchi, Sam Delise, Jonathan Blansfield, Henry Weller and Verity Abel attended the Eastern Zone LC Championships being held in Buffalo, NY, August 9-12. All these swimmers needed to make qualifying standards to attend these competitions.

Water Rats 5th at Age Groups

The team placed fifth (scoring revised) overall at the recent CT LC Age Group Championship. The 10/under boys won the team title for the third straight season and individual event winners included, Sam Delise (50 & 100 backstroke), Molly Loftus (100 & 200 butterfly) and Chris Wiederecht (200 butterfly). The 10/under boys swept all 4 relay events.

Tee Shirt Design Contest

We'll have a new team tee shirt this coming season and we would like you to design our shirt. The front of the shirt will be as you see to the left. The back of the shirt will be our newly created design. Please send your design to Bill by August 31st. The apparel committee will review the entrants and a new design will be chosen. Now you have something to do in August. Be creative and limit your design to two colors please.

This week's 2006 USA Swimming Nationals are set to be broadcast live on the internet. The broadcast of the meet, which runs August 1-5 in Irvine, California, should be available online here

2006-2007 Short Course Season Info

We are planning for the fall/winter (short course) season and every family currently active with the team will receive a mailing in the next few weeks with all the information for the season and registration procedures. A registration form will need to be returned by Friday, August 25th to secure your swimmer's spot on the team. Following the return of the registration forms, we will mail you a complete packet with fee information and forms that will need to be completed and returned in person at the September 24th Registration/EXPO. All forms and fees will be required at that time for swimmers to begin practices.

Tryouts for new swimmers interested in joining the team will be held the week of September 18th. More info will be posted on our website in the near future. Any questions, please contact us.

Do you have a swimmer 10 years old
or younger on Oct. 7, 2006?
Signup for a CT Swimming Relay Camp
Parent Educational Opportunity included.
Click here for more info

Session 2 Practice Schedule
**Begins Monday, June 26th**

WRATS Host 9/under Meet

The Westport Weston Family Y hosted the annual 9/under Meet on Thursday, June 29th. Thanks to Jeanne Bowles, the meet manager, and all the great volunteers that helped run a successful meet.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the WATER RAT families and coaches that have helped Cory, Kyle and myself, over the past two difficult months. The rides, food, cards, thoughts, and prayers have been extremely helpful to my family. We feel honored to be part of such a caring and "family" oriented organization. Cory, Kyle and I have formed some lasting friendships here with many WRAT families.

Volunteer Online

The team has an online volunteer system under the parent's club link above. All new families have now been added to the system. Just click here to look up your family number, and you may volunteer for future events. There is no minimum volunteer requirement for families new to the team this season. Current families have through this season to complete their minimum requirement. Thanks for volunteering at events the team participates in, we cannot do it without you!

Team Survey

Please look for an email sent last week to all parents of short course season participants with a link to a team survey. The online survey will help us evaluate and improve the program. If you did not receive the email, please contact Bonnie Strittmatter for the link to the survey. Thanks for participating!

Are you completing 10th, 11th or 12th grade?
Do you have a 3.5 or higher GPA?
You may qualify as a CT Swimming Scholar-Athlete
Apply online by August 15th!

Championship Meet Hotel Reservations

The team reserves a block of rooms for the major CT championship meets. We submit a rooming list one month prior to our stay. Please note the reservation deadline dates below and reserve a room if you plan to make finals or prefer not to drive home each night during these 3.5 day swim meet formats. Indicate nights (TH/FR/SA, etc) and accommodations (2 double beds, etc) needed.

CT Age Group Championship - Reserve a room with Bill by June 26th.
July 27-30, 2006 - Cheshire (12/u) & Wesleyan University (13/o)
Courtyard Marriott - Cromwell, CT - Rate: $79 + taxes

This will be the only team apparel order placed this season. Click on your form above, print it off your computer, and return it with payment to the coaches or the Metro Swim Shop.

Long Course Season

The long course season begins with team try-outs and team practices the week of April 24th. The team competes in USA Swimming meets (most in 50 meter pools) and CT Summer Swim League (CSSL) meets. The meet schedule will be finalized in the next few weeks.

The team will host three USA Swimming competitions this season. The Senior Spring Invitational is May 12-14 at Wesleyan University, the WRAT LC Invitational is June 10-11 at Wesleyan University, and the 9/under SC meet is June 29th at the Westport Weston Family Y.

Current team members have been mailed registration packets and must return a completed registration form and fees by April 21st.

Long Course Season Policy
The Water Rat Swim Team is a year-round program and the Long Course Season practice schedule takes effect on Monday, April 24, 2006. A mailing has been sent to all current families with registration form and information. The info will also be available on the website. Current WRAT swimmers will have until Friday, April 21, 2006 to register and pay for the long course season. Swimmers not registered by 4/21/06, will be added back to the team on a space available basis. We will once again operate at capacity this spring/summer and accept new swimmers to do so. If you choose not to pay your long course season program fees, re-acceptance to the team next fall will be afforded on a space available basis. We fully realize that many of you travel or go to camp in the summer. As long as your program fees are paid for the season, your spot on the team is secure for the following short course season.

Prospective members may request a registration packet. Send your name and address via email. Tryouts are April 24 & 26. More info is posted on the links to the right on this web page.

YMCA National Championships

The 2006 YMCA National Swimming & Diving Championships were held April 4-7 at the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The meet consisted of 229 teams and 1548 athletes, making it one of the largest swimming meets.

The Water Rats performed well, finished 22nd overall, and had tremendous support from everyone involved. Special thanks to our chaperones, Rosemary & Steve Halstead who accompanied the team and assisted in many capacities.

Delise & Boley

set WRAT Team Records at Zones

Sam Delise and Nathaniel Boley both set new Water Rat Team Records at the Eastern Zone Swimming Championships held recently at the Nassau County Aquatic Center. Sam set his record in the 100 back with a time of 1:08.44. Nathaniel set his record in the 500 free with a time of 5:52.61. Molly Loftus is the other Water Rat at the meet and was 1st alternate in the 100 fly. See the results...

All swimmers from the 2005-2006 Short Course Season and their families are invited. Don't miss this fun event.

Water Rat Spring Fund Raiser

After a long winter of steamy pools, take the family someplace different! Head for the Skate for the Cure ice skating show at:

Sell tickets to your family and friends. The Water Rat Swim Team will share 50/50 in the proceeds of all tickets sold by our team. A win/win for the WRATs and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation!

Please mail in your orders by Wednesday, March 29th. Your tickets will be at the Rinks customer service window the night of the event.

WRAT 5th at Age Groups

The Water Rat Swim Team finished 5th out of 46 teams that scored at the CT Age Group Championships held at Wesleyan University, March 9-12, 2006.

The 10/under boys team won the team title for their age group and had two relay champions. The 200 FR Relay team of Sam Delise, Bradley Helt, Stephen Tortora, and Nathaniel Boley took first, and Delise, Helt, and Boley teamed with Jonathan Blansfield to win the 400 FR Relay.

Water Rats Win !

The Water Rat Swim Team won the CT Swimming West Regional Championship held March 3-5, 2006 at the New Canaan YMCA. The boys team also won the team title and the girls finished second to New Canaan.

Individual champions included Gabrielle Wimer, Kaitlyn Morio, Karen Chu, Rosie Grinalds, Nyssa Miccio, Cat Friel, Helene Neuhaus, Jillian Smoragiewicz, and Kaitlin Crean for the girls. Boys winners were, Tommy Gannon, Freddie Mason, Henry Weller, Scott Feder, Corey Bacon, William Galle, Gannon Davis, Tom Sakaguchi, Joss Abel, Fred Tritschler, Stefan Tziolis, and Kyle Smoragiewicz.

Parents:

The Board of Directors has recommended some changes to the Water Rat Parent Club bylaws. These include:

- Changing the great Y's name from Westport/Weston YMCA to Westport Weston Family Y;
- Elimination of the assistant treasurer position;
- Reduce the quorum for annual and special meetings from 25 to 15;
- allow for flexibility for current board members to remain in office beyond term limits when a position cannot be filled;
- Change the procedure for filling Board vacancies.

The complete text of the bylaws can be found here. In accordance with the bylaws, these revisions must be posted for 30 days, after which time they will be voted upon at a regular meeting of the club.

WRAT Second At Y State Championships

The Water Rat Swim Team finished second at the 2006 CT YMCA State Championships this past weekend in Cheshire. 11 teams and over 1200 athletes competed over the weekend and the team performed great!

Individual event champions were Sarah Cooperman (100IM), Gannon Davis (50FR/100FR/100BR), Sam Delise (100BK *new WRAT Record), Karen Chu (200FR), Fred Tritschler (50 FR), and Aurora Lee (200FR/100BR).

The 9/10 boys won the team title after sweeping both the 200 Medley and Free Relays. The relay team was Bradley Held, Sam Delise, Nathanial Boley and Gannon Davis. The 9/10s also won the combined team title.

Good Photographer?

At each session of Championship Meets, we want to get some good digital photos of the swimmers. We'll have volunteer signup positions available at each meet. If you own a good camera, or would like to borrow the teams camera (and you are a good photographer), please consider signing up. We will compile all the photos for a slide show at WRAT Recognition Night

Championship Hotel Reservation Info

CT Age Group Championships - Courtyard Marriott - $79+/rate
March 9-12, 2006 - we have a block TH/FR/SA
Reserve a room by 2/6/06

CT Senior Championships - Courtyard Marriott - $79+/rate
March 16-19, 2006 - we have a block TH/FR/SA
Reserve a room by 2/13/06

YMCA New England Championships - Crowne Plaza - $109+/rate
March 25-26, 2006 - we have a block FR/SA
Reserve a room by 2/20/06

To reserve a room, contact Bill with dates and accommodations needed (# of rooms, double, etc.) by the listed deadline dates

The Water Rat Parents Club is putting together the nominating committee to present a slate of officers for elections later this year. The Nominating Committee will consist of five members: a current board member, a member of the coaching staff, and three general members of the Club.

If you would be interested in being on the nominating committee, please submit your name to Bonnie Strittmatter. The Nominating committee will be formed at the February 2nd Parent Club board meeting. Please submit your name by January 31st. There will be no volunteer points offered for serving on the Nominating committee.

Holiday Giving Tree

This year we are trying to help even more children and families than in the past years. This is our 5th Annual Giving Tree. Everyone is encouraged to participate this year. You can do this by taking an ornament from one of the two trees (by Member Service Desk or Weeks Pavilion Lobby). Each of the ornaments is labeled with a gift tag for a gift card of either $10.00 or $25.00 increments. Please return the gift card to the Member Service Desk by December 12th. Let’s all pull together this year and make the holidays so much brighter for our Westport Weston Family Y Families!

Y New England Championships are scheduled for March 25-26, 2006 at Brown University in Providence, RI. - We'll secure a block of hotel rooms - Host site

Team Apparel Form
(Last order of the season)

The team will place one more order form with the Metro Swim Shop for team apparel. The deadline to return the form is November 15th. Orders will arrive in time for the holidays. Our original (first order) will be arriving soon.

Citrus & Pecan Sale Info

Shop here???? Click here......

CT Swimming to Honor
Athletes and Volunteers

The CT Swimming Banquet will be held on Sunday, November 6th at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville, CT.

Invitations are extended to Scholar-Athletes* and athletes achieving Connecticut Top 16 times. These times are compiled from all meets during the 2004-2005 short course season and 2005 long course season, in an individual event within the following age groups: 10/U, 11/12, 13/14, 15/16, 17/18 and Senior. (Invitations are not based on place finish at a championship meet.)

Water Rats achieving this status are: Joss Abel, Laura Bedson*, Christina Bladek*, Nathaniel Boley, Jason Brown, Karen Chu, Sarah Cooperman, Kaitlin Crean, Gannon Davis, Sam Delise, Frrisk Driscoll*, Michael Dunn*, Cydney Eldh, William Galle, Carin Gannon, Clayton Goodgame, Andrew Grinalds, Bradley Helt, Jeffrey Helt, Cameron Hood, Savitri Horrigan, Karrah Hurd*, Keenan Koss*, Aurora Lee, Molly Loftus, Stephen Marcinuk*, Phillip Novotny, Daniel Platow, David Platow*, Caitlin Rummelsburg, Katherine Siemon, Anna Smith*, Laura Strittmatter, Alex Strittmatter, Peter Tortora, Caroline Valerio, Jared Walkenhorst, Christopher Wiederecht, and Gabrielle Wimer.

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS AVAILABLE

We are off to a fast start this new swim season. Before you know it, the first swim meet will be upon us. We have some positions that are available for parent volunteers. They are listed below with a brief job description. If anyone is interested in any of the positions or has any questions, please contact Ellen Johnston at 226-8981 ext. 110 or by email at EllenJ1@aol.com.

Seeking a co-chair for this position. We currently have a parent with a child in the Advance age group practice and would prefer a parent of an Intermediate/Junior practice group to offer a broader spectrum of representation. The responsibilities include, but are not limited to acting as club liaison; disseminate appropriate information to club members in the practice group they represent, attend monthly club business meetings and provide input to the Board of Directors regarding issues and concerns raised by their practice groups. They may coordinate social activities for their practice groups or together in conjunction with the staff and Club. Communication with the Head Coach of these practice groups is extremely important.

At our hosted swim meets we use an electronic timing system. The chief operator will be trained extensively in the running of the

system and will then teach additional operators and shall oversee staffing for Club sponsored competitions. Two operators are needed for each swim meet session. One operates the timing system console and the other operates the scoreboard computer. Believe it or not, these are fairly easy positions for anyone comfortable with a computer.

Olympians Ian Crocker and Katie Hoff and newcomer Kate Ziegler headline the ballots with three nominations apiece for the second annual Golden Goggle Awards, Nov. 14 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan.

The public is invited to vote online to give their input on the best performances of 2005. Voting begins Sept. 22 and will continue through November.

The Golden Goggles is held under the auspices of the USA Swimming Foundation, the organization's fundraising arm. More than 100 Olympians are expected to attend, including legends Mark Spitz, Janet Evans and Summer Sanders as well as the entire 2005 World Championship Team.

“The Golden Goggle Awards is USA Swimming’s annual year-end gala event,” said Chuck Wielgus, Executive Director of USA Swimming. “We not only recognize the outstanding performances of our top athletes and coaches, but it’s also a time for our corporate partners, major donors, Olympians, alumni, swimming family members and friends to come together to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year.

“2005 was an exceptional year in terms of swimming performances, so we will certainly have a lot to celebrate in November.”

The season begins this week as our practice schedule starts on Monday, September 26th. The Senior Team will begin with a team meeting for swimmers and parents on Monday, 9/26 at 6pm. Weekday senior team morning practices begin the week of October 3rd.

Age group and 8/under groups will have parent & swimmer meetings scheduled in the near future.

We would like to welcome the 22 new families and 29 swimmers to be invited to join the team. Our team is once again full and we are looking forward to a great season. See you at the pool soon!!!

No competitions are scheduled during the February school breaks this year, but practices will be held to prepare for the championship meets in March

WRAT Registration/EXPO

Saturday, September 24, 2005
1:00-3:00pm
Westport Weston Family Y Bedford Building

All families on the team must attend to finalize your team registration on Saturday, September 24th. Everyone will receive a mailing with all fees to be paid and forms to be completed soon. Each swimmer should have a valid Y membership prior to registering.

Water Rat Picnic

All families on the team are invited to a picnic at Mahackeno following the WRAT Registration/EXPO. This will be a great opportunity to kickoff the season and see all your friends on the team! Details will be included in your team registration information.

Tara Driscoll Named 8/under Coach

We are happy to announce that Tara Driscoll has accepted the position of Water Rat 8/under coach. Tara has been assistant to Bob since 2002 and will step into the head 8/under coach role as we begin the upcoming short course season. Congratulations Tara!

The Westport Weston Family Y will be hosting the 14th Annual Kids on the Move Triathlon and 100 Meter Dash on Sunday, September 4th at Staples High School.

The Water Rat Swim Team Relay Team, participating in the 2005 Swim Across the Sound, won the event for the third year in a row. Pictured above (L to R) are the team of Frisk Driscoll, Coach Ellen Johnston, Anna Smith, Michael Dunn, Keenan Koss, Danny Platow, Christina Bladek, Coach Bill Krumm.

Other Water Rats also participated in the event. Parents Andy Davis (solo) and Kim Russo, swimmers Phillip Novotny, Joe Sullo and Karrah Hurd and coaches Jared Walkenhorst and Amy Gladwell all took the plunge.

You can support the team as it raises funds for the event which

support cancer research and programs at Saint Vincent's Medical Center.

Donations can be made through the Swim Across The Sound website. Please place "Westport Water Rats" in the memo portion of your check. Thanks for supporting the team!!!!

10/under Boys win State Championship!

The 10/under boys won the CT Long Course Championship this past weekend at Cheshire. The team scored 415 points to runner-up Wilton's 389.5. Swimmers scoring points for the team were Kyle Bacon, Nathaniel Boley, Gannon Davis, Sam Delise, Bradley Helt, Drew Poling, Marcus Russi, Matt Wetmore and Matt Wisher.

8/Under End of Season Picnic
& a Fond Farewell to Bob

We'll be having an 8/under picnic and farewell party for Bob on Thursday, September 1st at the Mahackeno Outdoor Center from 5:00 - 8:00pm. Click here for the details........

2005-2006 Short Course Season Info

We begin practices for the short course season the week of September 26th. This gives swimmers an opportunity to return to their school schedule and then begin their practice schedule a few weeks after.

We will be mailing a registration packet with all the information soon. Current team members must return a team registration form by Friday, August 26th to secure their spot on the team.

We will hold tryouts for new swimmers on September 19 & 21. 8/under (5:30-6:15pm) and 9/over (4:15-5:30pm). Interested swimmers should email your address and we will send you a registration packet.

Team registration is in person on Saturday, September 24th (**DATE CHANGE**- due to conflict). Every family must attend to pay all fees and submit required paperwork and forms.

Team Apparel orders have arrived!

If you placed an order for WRAT Team Apparel this (long course) season, the orders have arrived and are located in the swim team office. We will distribute them also at practice

The Y has made some recent changes and our website is going through some modifications. Apologies if the website is not operating correctly while we make our changes. Please notify Bill of any errors you see. The specific changes are:

You can still use the old url and email addresses for now and they will be linked directly to the new site for a period of time

Coach Ellen Johnston was recently elected to the CT Swimming Board of Directors as Technical Planning Chair. The Technical Planning Committee is responsible for long-range planning for the swimming programs conducted by CT Swimming and for advise regarding the technical aspects of those programs and the sport of swimming. Congratulations!

Hotel Reservations: We secure a block of rooms for USA Swimming Championship meets where certain families might need to have a hotel room for resting between trials/finals sessions or to avoid three+ days of travel to/from the meet. Please secure your reservation by emailing your request (# of rooms, # of beds, non-smoking, etc) to Bill Krumm by the deadline listed.
We have reserved rooms at the Cromwell Courtyard Marriott at a rate of $79 + taxes per night.

CT Senior Open Championship - reservation deadline - Thurs. 6/9
July 9-12, 2005 - Wesleyan University - Middletown, CT

CT Age Group Championship - reservation deadline - Fri. 6/24
July 28-31, 2005 - Wesleyan University - Middletown, CT

WATER RATS ARE MAKING A SPLASH
WITH THE BRIDGEPORT BARRACUDAS

As many of you know, the Water Rats have teamed up with the Bridgeport YMCA to help develop a new, fully-competitive swim team, the Bridgeport Barracudas, who hope to swim in their first meet this summer.

2005 Water Rat Swim Team Graduating Class

Seven high school seniors will graduate from the program this year. Click the image above and read all the accomplishments of these student-athletes. We'll miss you.........

New Parents Meeting

All parents of new swimmers to the team are invited to attend a new parents meeting on Tuesday, May 31st from 7-8pm in the Y's Bedford Room.

Parents' Club representatives and coaches will provide valuable information to get you going with the team and the sport of swimming, followed by questions & answers. Please join us!!!

Team Apparel Orders taken until May 16th

We will place one team apparel order this season. Order forms are to be completed and submitted with payment to the the Metro Swim Shop (across from Y) or the swim team office at the Y. The deadline to submit the form is May 16th. Please be sure to have the required items. Team suits are to ne fitted and purchased at the Metro Swim Shop. Team racing suits are to be worn at competitions only. Team racing caps are available at meets and in the swim team office.

On Thursday, June 2 the Water Parents Club will host its Annual Meeting. At this meeting an election will take place on the

presented slate of officers for open positions for the parent run board. read more.........

A reminder to all swimmers ages 9 and over. Your awards from the season are placed in the blue tubs just inside the pool balcony door at the YMCA. Each box contains a file with your name on it. Please come in and

get your awards from the season. Senior swimmer files are quite full and some of you do not practice at the Y, so please make an effort to stop by and get your awards. Thanks!!

2005 Long Course Season Begins 4/25/05

The 2005 long course season and team tryouts begin April 25, 2005. All information about registration has been mailed to current team members and a reminder that your registration form and all fees are to be returned to the YMCA Swim Team Office by April 22, 2005.

Westport Weston Family Y Water Rat Swim Team Outreach Program

Swim Meet Sponsorship Needed

We'll be running two long course meets this season at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. Most of you know that this is the nicest long course facility in the state and the meets should attract swimmers from all over Connecticut and neighboring Eastern Seaboard states.

The cost of renting this excellent facility make these meets less profitable than one in our own facility. We'd like to find a family or company that would like to attach their name to an event to help pay for this facility rental.

The 2005 YMCA Swimming & Diving Championships were held April 5-8 at the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Water Rat swim team placed 18th out of over 200 teams entered in the meet. See all the results and info at the link below.

Thanks to everyone that supported this year's team and especially our volunteer chaperones, Rosemary and Steve Halstead. We could not do it without you!

Joss Abel sets WRAT team record at Zones

All three Water Rat swimmers representing the CT Zone All Star Team scored for the team at the Eastern Zone Swimming Championship held in Sewell, NJ, March 31-April 2.

10 year old Joss Abel placed 7th in both the 200 FR and 500 FR

setting a team record in the 500 FR. Joss's time of 5:53.95 broke his own record set earlier this year. The record was originally Frisk Driscoll's time of 6:27.10.

Chris Wiederecht placed 7th in the 13/14 100 FL with a 56.46, after posting a 56.15 at prelims, and Savitri Horrigan placed 5th in the 13/14 200 BR with a time of 2:31.90. Way to go WRATS!!

Water Rats Win CT Regional (East) Championships!!

The Water Rats dominated the meet this past weekend scoring 3214.5 points. Second place went to the Woodbridge Aquatic Club with 1344.5 points. Way to go team!!!

Team Photos have arrived. They are in a box just inside the swim team office door. Please come in and take yours, if you ordered one.

Water Rats Finish 2nd at YMCA State Championships!!

The Water Rats finished second at the 2005 CT YMCA State Championships held Feb. 11-13 at the Wilton YMCA. The 8/under Boys won the team title for the third year in a row and the 8/unders won the combined title for the second year in a row. Other team scores have yet to be posted.

Water Rat Tsunami Swim-a-Thon a Success!!

The Westport Weston Family Y Water Rats should be very proud of their efforts in joining together with Save the Children to help rebuild the lives of children who are suffering because of the Tsunami disaster.

The Water Rats Tsunami Swim-a-Thon was held during practices February 14-15. Each swimmer in all practice groups swam a specific number of lengths, to reach our goal of 23,000 lengths. Swimmers turned in over $19,000 in sponsorships and more are still to come in. The money the sponsors have given will be donated to Save the Children.

Thanks go to Polly Simpkins (Event Chair) who organized the event, produced materials, a great map of our quest, had treats for the swimmers on completion of their laps and lined up volunteer counters for all the groups.

In order to satisfy a request from their auditor, the YMCA has asked the Parent Club to take the words "Westport Weston Family Y" out of our name. The concern was that it could be thought that the Parent Club was actually part of the YMCA instead of a separate corporation with a separate tax filing. Our name will now be Water Rats Parents' Club, Inc., instead of Westport Weston Family Y Water Rats Parents Club, Inc.

As part of the name change process, we need to amend our by-laws. The changes are reflected in the attached document. In accordance with the by-laws, any changes must be posted for 30 days. The revision will be voted on at the March meeting of the board.

News Archives

Parent Education Opportunity

Team Registration Begins (Registration form due now from current team members)

Water Rats Excel at Championships

Championship Hotel Reservation Info

Water Rat Survey

Thursday - May 17, 2007 - 7-8pm

Team Records Fall at Zones

Long Course Season Registration

WRAT Recognition Night

Movie PRIDE comes out on Friday 3/23

USA Swimming is excited to announce the Pride in Your Club contest. During the following period, March 23rd –April 15th, all USA Swimming club members are encouraged to go see Pride at their local theater. Details of the contest are here.

Family Outing Sunday - March 25th - 1PM Click Here for Info

Swimmer visits Spain

Championship Hotel Reservation Info

(Members needed)

Mental Toolbox Achieving Success Through Mental Excellence

GOODIE BAG TIME!

Sad News

Holiday Giving Tree

Edward T. Bedford Age Group Qualifier

Session 2 Practice Schedule Begins Monday, 11/27/06

Team Apparel

Citrus/Pecan Sale

Online Team Store

Online Volunteer System

Water Rat Swimmers attend National and Zone Competitions

Water Rats 5th at Age Groups

Tee Shirt Design Contest

2006-2007 Short Course Season Info

Session 2 Practice Schedule **Begins Monday, June 26th**

WRATS Host 9/under Meet

Volunteer Online

Team Survey

Championship Meet Hotel Reservations

Long Course Season

YMCA National Championships

Delise & Boley set WRAT Team Records at Zones

Water Rat Spring Fund Raiser

WRAT 5th at Age Groups

Water Rats Win !

WRAT Second At Y State Championships

Good Photographer?

Championship Hotel Reservation Info

Holiday Giving Tree

Team Apparel Form (Last order of the season)

Citrus & Pecan Sale Info

Shop here???? Click here......

CT Swimming to Honor Athletes and Volunteers

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS AVAILABLE

2005-2006 Short Course Season Begins

WRAT Registration/EXPO

Water Rat Picnic

Tara Driscoll Named 8/under Coach

10/under Boys win State Championship!

8/Under End of Season Picnic & a Fond Farewell to Bob

2005-2006 Short Course Season Info

Team Apparel orders have arrived!

WATER RATS ARE MAKING A SPLASH WITH THE BRIDGEPORT BARRACUDAS

2005 Water Rat Swim Team Graduating Class

New Parents Meeting

Team Apparel Orders taken until May 16th

2005 Long Course Season Begins 4/25/05

Westport Weston Family Y Water Rat Swim Team Outreach Program

Swim Meet Sponsorship Needed

Joss Abel sets WRAT team record at Zones

Water Rats Win CT Regional (East) Championships!!

Water Rats Finish 2nd at YMCA State Championships!!

Water Rat Tsunami Swim-a-Thon a Success!!

By-Laws Revision

Team Registration Begins
(Registration form due now from current team members)

Movie PRIDE
comes out on Friday 3/23

Family Outing
Sunday - March 25th - 1PM
Click Here for Info

Mental Toolbox
Achieving Success Through Mental Excellence

Edward T. Bedford
Age Group Qualifier

Session 2 Practice Schedule
Begins Monday, 11/27/06

Water Rat Swimmers attend
National and Zone Competitions

Session 2 Practice Schedule
Begins Monday, June 26th

Delise & Boley
set WRAT Team Records at Zones

Team Apparel Form
(Last order of the season)

CT Swimming to Honor
Athletes and Volunteers

8/Under End of Season Picnic
& a Fond Farewell to Bob

WATER RATS ARE MAKING A SPLASH
WITH THE BRIDGEPORT BARRACUDAS