I am so THRILLED to be making this announcement...
On Friday, October 24, 2008, the Summerside Dolphin Swim Club is going to be having two very special guest speakers. Three-time Paralympian Chelsey Gotell and her coach, Andrew Cole are coming to Summerside to give a presentation to all of our swimmers and families and then they are going to stay and coach a practice with the Tier 4/Regional Group!
So parents....PLEASE mark your calendars, October 24, 2008 for the following times:
3:30-4:00: Presentation by Chelsey Gotell and Andrew Cole. Chelsey will have her medals from the Paralympics with her. She will be signing autographs so have your swimmer bring an extra cap/t-shirt/something for Chelsey to sign. All Dolphin Families are welcome to attend this....we want as many people there as possible.! Bring the whole family!
4:00-5:30: Practice for the Tier 4/Regional Group (Practice will be coached by Chelsey and Andrew). Parents and swimmers (from all tiers) are welcome to stay for this practice to watch.
I am including a brief bio on Chelsey (see below). She is one of Canada's most decorated swimmers and I am honored to have our Club host Chelsey and her coach for the afternoon. This is a once and a lifetime opportunity for our swimmers so please try to make arrangements for your swimmer to be there.
See you all on Friday!
Coach Tracy :o)
Bio: Chelsey Gotell
Chelsey began swimming competitively when she was eight years old, joining the Antigonish Aquanauts Swim Club because a friend was a member. She began competing nationally as a Swimmer with a Disability (SWAD) three years later and by age 14, had graduated to the international ranks by qualifying for the Paralympics. Chelsey is a visually impaired athlete.
Chelsey has represented Canada at the past three Paralympic Games. This past summer she competed at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing. Chelsey captured 5 Paralympic medals, two gold in the 100m Freestyle and 100m Backstroke, silver in the 100m freestyle and bronze in the 400m Freestyle and 100m butterfly. At the Paralympic Games in Athens (2004), Chelsey won a gold medal in the 100 backstroke and 3 bronze medals in the 50 and 100 freestyle and 200 individual medley. Chelsey is currently the world record holder in the 200 IM and the 100m & 200m Backstroke.
Chelsey is in her third year McMaster University studying psychology and she would like to one day become a sports psychologist. She is also a member of the McMaster Marauders Varsity Swim Team, which is led by head coach Andrew Cole, a Dartmouth, N.S. native.
