Aviano Sea Dragons prepare to make waves

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The Aviano Sea Dragons swim team kicked off its 2009-2010 season recently with a pre-season training and summer swim camp at the base outdoor pool that goes through August.

The ASD team offers 8 to 19-year-old dependants an opportunity to apply self-discipline, increase physical ability, and be part of a local family and one of the largest sports teams in the community.

"Our pre-season [camp] ends with a family cookout and pool party," said MaLisa Lewis, Sea Dragons assistant head coach and wife of Tech. Sgt. Bruce Lewis, Sea Dragons head coach. "The first two weeks of the [regular] season are spent outside the pool using plyometric dry-land training and has become a rite of passage for our swimmers. It also makes the first day in the pool all the more exciting."

The official season begins Aug. 31, the first day of school, and the team's first home meet is Sept. 20 at the indoor community pool in Aviano. The season concludes with the Lakenheath Barracudas hosting the European Forces Swim League Championships in the Netherlands in February 2010.

Becoming a Sea Dragon

While it is recommended, it is not a requirement for a swimmer to participate in the summer swim camp to join the ASD Swim Team.

For information about registering for the '09-'10 season, send an email to the team staff at avianoseadragons@gmail.com.

Competing as a Sea Dragon

The ASD swim team program is designed to develop stroke mechanics and build endurance for swimmers. It is not a "learn to swim" program.

"It's important to understand the level of competition among the EFSL, said Coach Lewis. "The qualification standards for the championships are BB times, which are the minimum. Any Sea Dragon who makes it to [EFSL Championships] should be prepared to compete against swimmers consistently achieving AAA times. Make no mistake, the competition is fierce."

2008-2009 Season in Review

"Our team focus is on individual excellence and teamwork," said Coach Lewis. "If one swimmer drops time, the entire team celebrates the achievement."

During the '08-'09 season, two swimmers met EFSL qualifying times during the first meet and that success continued with individual successes throughout the season.

Last year's season was by far the most successful season the team's had in many years, said ASD coaches. Multiple new swimmers made qualifying times for EFSL; a third-year swimmer qualified for the EFSL Champs for the first time; repeat qualifiers from previous years also earned EFSL Champs seeding.

The '08-'09 season culminated with the ASD sending 12 swimmers to the EFSL Championships this past February, said Coach Lewis, but due to conflicting schedules with swimmers and their parents work schedules, she said the team was not able to fill the 20 slots it earned to compete at the championships.

"In the three years [my husband and I have been involved with this team] an increasing amount of swimmers have been sent to the championships," said Coach Lewis. "Initially, the team had 12 members, now the team has managed to quadruple its size, with more than a quarter of them holding competitive rankings. Our team earned more [championship] slots this year than the entire team consisted of three years ago. I would consider that a tremendous breakthrough for our team."

Sea Dragons Need Volunteers

The team wouldn't be able to function without the members of the board, said Coach Lewis, as well as the committee heads, and their members who provide vital volunteerism that helps supplement the team's finances and fill the necessary slots around pool deck to run officially sanctioned meets.

"Our team couldn't be as successful as it's grown to be without the help from local businessman Claudio Deiuri and the Gymnasium Company," said Coach Lewis. "This partnership has enabled the fostering of positive public relations in the community, increased training time, and has great improvements in the works for the future of our team as well."

The ASD is a recognized base private organization and exists solely on the volunteer hours of its coaches, families, board members and officials, said Michelle Mastrorocco, Aviano Sea Dragons president.

As of July 23, the team filled the assistant coaching positions; however, team representatives said they will meet with individuals that have three or more years experience coaching competitive swim. Those interested in volunteering with the team, but lack experience with the sport are also encouraged to get involved. There are multiple opportunities that need little or no prior experience.

For more information about the swim team or how to become a volunteer, call Mrs. Mastrorocco at 331-868-6689 or e-mail the team at avianoseadragons@gmail.com.