BENEFITS OF INSTRUCTIONAL & COMPETITIVE SWIMMING PROGRAMS
TO CHILDREN

The basis for the Competitive Aquatic Support Foundation is two fold:

The support of instructional programs for children age 16 months to 6 years.

The establishment of strong community aquatic programs for children and adults age 6 and older to improve the safety of those children as it applies to living in a locale such as Florida with its abundance of pools and natural bodies of water.

The foundation’s goal is for every child to be involved a minimum of one year, in a swimming program that will develop a minimum proficiency in not only their skill, but endurance, comfort, and confidence in the water. It is only in this way that families can achieve peace of mind, and that every child can fully enjoy the natural resources that our State has to offer.

In addition, the benefits to children and young adults of discipline, work ethic, goal setting, and self-reliance which competitive swimming programs uniquely offer is widely recognized.

INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS

CASF shall assist in the promotion of ASCA based learn to swim programs. CASF shall institute a campaign promoting water safety, drown prevention, and minimum levels of swimming proficiency for all Florida children between the ages of 16 months and 6 years, in order to insure the full and safe enjoyment of Florida’s natural aquatic resources by all of its residents.

COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS

CASF shall support programs engaged in the training and development of competitive aquatic athletes. Such programs must demonstrate a history of stability and success in developing athletes to the highest levels of competition.

AQUATIC FACILITIES

CASF shall seek to lease, manage, or own aquatic facilities that meet certain guidelines as to their physical layout, the operating philosophy, and the programs that are offered.

Potential aquatic facilities must:

• Be an Olympic size facility (50 meters x 25 yards)
• Be equipped to operate on a year ‘round basis
• Give preference in scheduling to instructional and competitive programs, but be available during designated times to the community for recreational and active aquatic activities.
• Provide qualified personnel to offer USA swimming, inc. based competitive programs, and ASCA based instructional programs.

INITIAL OBJECTIVE

• To finance the support of instructional and competitive aquatic programs.
• To guarantee the financial stability and the long term existence of Olympic sized aquatic facilities whose primary purpose is the instruction of children in swimming, as well as the training of aquatic athletes to the highest level of competitions.
• To promote a campaign of minimum swimming proficiency for all Florida school age children.
• To promote competitive swimming and associated events in order to further the awareness of the benefits of swimming for children and adults as a lifetime activity.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors is made up of current instructional and competitive aquatic professionals as well as former athletes, parents of athletes, and Central Florida area business people who have an interest in the promotion of aquatic instruction, competition, and safety.

President Clay Parnell
638 Sailfish Rd
Winter Springs, FL 32708

President and Head Coach of Patriot Aquatics. Head Coach of the Lake Brantley H.S. Swim Team. Former Club, High School, and Division I Collegiate Swimmer. B.S. Business Management University of Central Florida.

Vice President Martin Zubero
465 Forest Way Circle #104
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

Martin was a 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist and former World Record holder in the 200 backstroke and is recognized as one of the top swimmers in Olympic history. Martin was recently named as one of the top 25th All Time Outstanding Athletes at the University of Florida. He is currently coaching with Patriot Aquatics swim team and in 1999 was named the Florida Swimming Age Group Coach of the Year.

Treasurer Kristen Parnell
638 Sailfish Rd.
Winter Springs, FL 32708
.
Planning and Analysis manager for Sears Home Improvement Products. Former Club, High School, and Div. I Collegiate swimmer. B.A. in English & Business Rice University. M.B.A. Crummer Business School.

Secretary Gene Pauley
2511 Broadview Court
Eustis, FL 32726

Sales representative for Medtronics. Former swimming Parent, 16 years.

Member Tim Moon
112 Longwood Hills Rd.
Longwood, FL 32779

Leasing specialist. Former swimming parent and active booster for 16 years.

Member Paul Bradley
3317 Oak Vista Drive
Daytona Beach, FL 32124

Local area businessman and entrepreneur since 1985.

THE HUNTER KEMPER STORY

Hunter Kemper decided to join the Patriot Aquatic swim team in the mid 1980’s at the age of 6. Even at that age Hunter loved to race and at his first race as a 6 & Under asked his coach, “What’s the world record in this event?” Even though they didn’t have world records for 6 and under swimmers, Hunter set out to establish one.

Soon after that first swim meet, Hunter’s team moved to a private pool that had an outdoor mulch running track. As the older swimmers would run around the track for dryland conditioning, Hunter would join them. Even then, Hunter displayed his talent as a track athlete, running lap after lap without hesitation or fatigue.

During the mid 1980’s, Triathlons started to become popular. Hunter joined other members of his swim team in competing in local youth triathlons. It was not long before Hunter had established himself as a top triathlete.

Hunter’s team mates included kids who would go on to win the National and World Iron Kids championships.

While Hunter pursued swimming and track at Lake Brantley High School, one of Hunter’s older team mates, Nick Radkewich had already graduated from Lyman High School and was attending Notre Dame. Nick became a professional triathlete upon graduation and is now one of the top Triathletes in the United States. Nick also relied on Patriot Aquatics to aid in the development of his swimming talent.

Hunter attended Wake Forest as a track athlete in order to further develop his running skills and after graduating decided to become a professional Triathlete.

In April of 2000, Hunter Kemper became the first ever USA Olympic Triathlon Team member. Hunter was the highest finishing American at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games placing 14th, while Radkewich was fortieth.

OLYMPIC DREAMS DO COME TRUE --  THE BRAD BRIDGEWATER STORY

There are many factors that contribute to the development and success of a world class athlete. Coaching, financial resources, but most of all a facility and environment that puts instructional and competitive training as a priority. Of story of Brad Bridgewater is a prefect illustration of this.

In 1986 the Bridgewater Family moved into the Lake Mary/Longwood area. Their children,Christy(16) and Brad(12) joined Patriot Aquatics swim program. Patriot Aquatics was then located the Longwood / Altamonte Springs area.

Over the next 7 years Christy went on to earn a swimming scholarship to the University of Villanova. After her successful years at Villanova, Christy continued her schooling and is now an attorney.

Brad began to develop his swimming skills, and by the time he was 16 was one of the top swimmers in the nation. In 1990, he was named to the U.S. National Junior team that went on to compete in Russia, France , and East Germany.

As a result of his 4th place finish at the 1991 U.S. National Swimming Champions in Seattle, Washington, Brad was named to the U.S. Pan American Swimming Team that competed in Havana, Cuba.

The next year, as a college freshman, Brad finished in the top 8 at the Olympic Trials in the 200 Backstroke. After the 1992 Olympics, Brad competed in the U.S. Nationals and finished 2nd in the 200 Back.

Brad’s development during these 7 years took place in pools in and around Seminole County. The Longwood Aquatic Club in particular, provided the necessary Long Course (50 meter) training facility necessary for preparing for international
competitions. In addition, Patriot Aquatics swimming program provided the necessary coaching and environment to develop his potential.

The next year the Bridgewater’s moved to Seattle and Brad continued his training and education at the University of Southern California.

Four years later, Brad’s time improved from 2:00.20 to a 1:58.50 to win the Gold Medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

Kemper setting up his transition area in front of the Sydney Opera House before the start of the first ever, Olympic Triathlon.