The Port Hawkesbury Antigonish Swim Team (PHAST) has started another season.
Returning swimmers, including senior athletes Aidan Doucet and Hannah Austen, were back in the pool last week.
“I am really excited,” Doucet, 17, said in between dives during the second practice of the fledgling campaign, Sept. 11, at the St. F.X. Aquatic Centre.
The sport has become a tradition for the Doucet family. Aidan’s father, Gerry, helped establish a club in Port Hawkesbury 35 years ago, while his older sisters, Camryn and Breton, are PHAST alumni.
“I fell in love [with swimming],” the Antigonish native said.
That familial theme also applies to Hannah Austen of Antigonish, whose father, Glenn, and several aunts and uncles competed in swimming.
Her grandparents – David and Marianne Austen – were executive members for the inaugural year of the former Antigonish Aquanauts.
“I tried it and I liked it,” the 15-year-old said of swimming.
When asked about their favourite strokes, Hannah selected the freestyle, while Aidan leaned towards the butterfly.
“I have a powerful back,” he noted of what helps with his preferred discipline.
This season, Aidan is working towards a spot in Eastern Canadians.
“I have been close before,” he noted of his efforts to reach that level.
For Austen, the focus is achieving 16-year-old senior times.
“It is great,” she said, when asked how she might pitch joining PHAST, noting it is a great way “to meet new friends.”
Doucet said it is “a great way to be active.”
“I sleep like a rock,” he added, with a laugh.
Busy season
During the same practice, PHAST head coach Rob Allen said “so far, so good,” when asked about the start of the season.
He noted there are some “big events and meets” planned for this season.
Swimmers will be competing across Atlantic Canada, along with parts of the United States, such as Maine and New Hampshire.
Allen noted a couple PHAST athletes should make a run at spots on Team Nova Scotia.
Last season, which Allen said “ended on a high note,” PHAST boasted 80 or so athletes.
“We are expecting more,” Allen said of the projections for this campaign.
He noted the length of the season – from September to July – requires a big commitment from swimmers, coaches and everyone involved with the organization.
For many swimmers, Allen explained, the “focal point” of the season will come in June, when PHAST hosts an ‘AA’ event, which will bring more than 200 swimmers from Atlantic Canada to Antigonish.
“It will be a great showcase,” he said – not only for athletes, but also the “tremendously supportive” parents that contribute to PHAST.
“People get to see what we have to offer,” Allen added, noting how people enjoyed their visit to the St. F.X. campus and its facilities for a similar meet last season.
The schedule
Morning practices for age-group swimmers, resuming in October, will take place, from 6:30 to 7:45, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Afternoon practices for all swimmers Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, will take place from 5 to 6 – for Nova Tech swimmers – and 5 to 6:30, for age-group swimmers.
PHAST members must swim in a minimum of two practices per week.
The coaching staff will help with the selection of the best-suited practice schedule.
Test the waters
PHAST offers an opportunity to ‘test the waters,’ with a five-week swim camp, which will get underway the week of Sept. 24 to 28.
Swimmers should be six years old or more, and be able to swim, unaided, the 25m length of the pool.
“It provides a little taste of everything that we do,” Allen said.
He explained participants will practice the four swim strokes – one per week – while the fifth session will bring those together with the individual medley.
“We also work on dives and turns,” Allen added.
After this camp, if participants decided to continue with the PHAST season, registration fees will be prorated.
Dates for the fall ‘Next Wave’ novice program will be confirmed, after Sept. 28, and reported through local media outlets.
Participants should be ages six to 10 and able to swim, unaided, the width of the pool.
“It provides a well-rounded experience,” Allen said, adding the focus for the eight-week, pre-competitive program is skill development, fun and fitness – an introduction to the sport.
Registration continues
Registration for the new season will wrap up Monday, Sept. 24 and Tuesday, Sept. 25, from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m., at St. F.X.’s Alumni Aquatic Centre.
“We are looking forward to having a great season,” Allen said, adding “every year, there are always big surprises.”
For more information, including fees and registration, visit phast.ca
