I. INTRODUCTION
The purpose of Southampton swimming is to foster fun, fitness and competition. Team participation promotes sportsmanship, self-esteem, self-discipline, self-improvement and social interaction among a wide variety of age groups. Inherent in this team atmosphere is the striving for personal excellence in a spirit of good will and fair play.
Southampton offers a competitive swimming program on four different levels of ability so every child between the ages of 5 and 18 has the opportunity to contribute. (However, parents should recognize that the swim team cannot take the place of swimming lessons. To be on the swim team, children should be able to swim the length of the pool without assistance. If not, they should continue in swimming lessons, and join the team at a later date.)
History of Southampton's Swimming Team
Southampton swimming dates to 1954 and has, over the years, come to personify the essence of summer league swimming. As an early participant in the James River Swim League formed in 1962, Southampton won the first three championships from 1962-1964. When the league combined with the James River Swim Club to form the James River Aquatic Club (JRAC) in December, 1964, Southampton was one of the founding representatives and remains today as one of the organization's 18 members.
From 1962 to the present day, Southampton has won 21 championship meets (including 10 from 1962-1971, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2002) and eight regular season titles.
Excellent facilities (two pools), superlative coaching and a pervasive desire to excel have propelled Southampton swimmers to local and national prominence. In its time, Southampton has produced hundreds of league champions.Any number of its swimmers have earned accolades as nationally ranked age groupers, Junior Olympic national champions, major college conference champions, senior national and Olympic Trial qualifiers and NCAA All-Americans. Southamptoneven boasts one world-ranked swimmer in its storied past.
While the team competes well, the purpose of Southampton aquatics is to teach children to swim in a caring and supportive environment. It is in this spirit that we invite you and your children to take part.