(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Hydra Aquatics has started the new year reflecting on its first successful season here at its home, the American School of Doha (ASD), already has many achievements to celebrate.
Hydra is an ASD, not for profit, inclusive swim club that offers swimming programs for people of all ages and swimming abilities from both the ASD and greater Doha community. Hydra's mission is to be an inclusive club that provides members with the skills and knowledge to be confident and competent in, on, and around the water.
The idea of ASD creating its own aquatics program started a few years ago with its Aquatics Director, Steve Shantz, who proposed the idea. The idea was to create an aquatics club for ASD students and outside students. After a few years, the idea turned into reality.
The goal was not to make money, but to create a program that was an extension of the ASD sports family. 'Part of the reason we wanted to create Hydra was because we wanted to test whether this is a model we can use for other sports that have extended programs at ASD, said Dr. Tom Hawkins, Director of ASD.
Aquatics has been part of ASD culture for over a decade, so when ASD declared that it was starting its own aquatics program, interest was very high. Hydra registered around 300 swimmers in its first week. Jeff Slater, Hydra's new Head Coach, played a significant role in the success of Hydra's start with the expertise and experience he brings to the program. Coach Jeff is a Level 3 coach from the Canadian Swim Coaches Association. Over his 30 year career, Coach Jeff has coached swimmers in development programs through to varsity swimming.
Most of the coaches with Hydra have been with ASD for years, including Coach Youssef, Coach Marauone and Coach Jawad, who have been with ASD for over 10 years. 'We have excellent coaches, many of whom work at ASD and are familiar with some of the kids already. We are centralized at ASD so as a swimmer progresses through our program they will stay in the same location and see many of the same coaches, commented Coach Jeff.
The Hydra coaches push the students to reach their own individual potential according to their goals. They are also dedicated to maximizing the potential of aspiring young athletes by offering a developmental program that incorporates and builds upon the Sport for Life, Long Term Athlete Development Model. Hydra offers programming for the novice to the international level athletes.
Hydra offers a range of programs and activities from beginner classes like ‘FUNdamentals' and ‘Become a Better Swimmer' to more advanced classes like ‘Junior/Senior Competitive' and ‘Masters'.
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