Equipping Swimmers For Success In The Northeast Kingdom

Apr 28, 2020

The story of KTA Mini Grant Recipients: Northeast Kingdom Aquatics

It all started with a vision and two passionate individuals that had the drive to build a community youth USA Swim team. Coach Ted Chitambar and Coach Julie Tower-Pierce put their heads together and went to the drawing board, dedicating countless hours into developing Northeast Kingdom Aquatics that currently practices at Northern Vermont University pool. The first years started out small, but the experience that was had by swimmers and their families was profoundly positive. This attracted other parents and community members to become involved with helping foster the growth of this team. For the last two years swim parents Sarah Jewell Foster and Karri Willy along with many other supportive team members began to network and help manage. This year the team doubled in size from 30 to 60 participants from ages 6-18. They have grown into more skilled, confident swimmers and are competing in USA Swim meets all over Vermont.

Just as the 2019-2020 season was about to begin, it was learned that the Kingdom Trail Association (KTA) was offering a Mini Grant Program to our community. This turned out to be at the exact right time. The college learned that their lane lines were unsafe for use and had been pulled from the pool. A few weeks from the first practice, the team was faced with this huge safety issue. It was decided that the team would apply for the grant in hopes that they could be replaced. Thus, plans for the project “Equipping Swimmers for Success” was born. KTA kindly awarded enough money to cover the lane lines and they were in the pool a short time after the first practice.

The project “Equipping Swimmers for Success”, has successfully met all goals and objectives defined in the grant application. The lane lines gave a safe environment for swimmers and the season got off to a great start. As mentioned above, the team's growth this year was substantial which meant a need for more equipment. The team’s kick boards, pull buoys and fins were subpar. Due to the incredibly generous donation which covered the lane lines entirely, it allowed other fundraising monies to go to the purchase of this equipment. The biggest fundraiser for the team is the annual Swim-a-thon. The lane lines made it possible for more swimmers to be in the pool at one time and the team raised over $2500.00 making this the most successful fundraising event yet.

Throughout the course of this season, all swimmers improved on their skill dramatically and the participation in statewide USA Swim meet competitions was more than ever before. Many swimmers improved on personal times and there were even several swimmers to qualify for both the Regionals and Silvers meets. The swimmers increased skill, technique and confidence were all observed over the course of the season. The sportsmanship and healthy friendships that developed were also some of the highlights noted by many spectators and parents.

The team hosted the annual Swim Your Heart Out Home Fun Meet with the participation of three local teams from both Vermont and New Hampshire. This turned out to be a huge success, especially because there were plenty of lanes designated with beautiful new lines! The project has also provided community members with more opportunity for lap swimming during open swim. NVU Athletics Director, Chris Gilmore has shared a lot of positive feedback from their regular swimmers! It is the hope that the team will continue to grow and even work together with other local programs like Power’s Park. This could help to possibly extend the season in the future.

“Equipping Swimmers for Success” has provided the tools necessary for many years of continued growth. On behalf of Northeast Kingdom Aquatics, thank you KTA! As Coach Julie Tower-Pierce would say, “It takes a community to grow a swim team.”