New Swim Coach Has Big Plans for Swim Team At Miller Family YMCA

July 22, 2010 - PRLog -- NEWBURY PARK, CALIF.--The Miller Family YMCA Manta Rays swim team has a new head coach with big plans to ensure the team is a force at the upcoming summer swim meets. Tarrik Daou, previously the head coach at the Conejo Valley YMCA Sharks, has increased practices to five days a week, upped the training intensity and the commitment of each swimmer. “I want to create a feeling of unity on the team; all pushing together to reach on goal; excellence in all we do," says Daou.

   "We're training hard for the Channel Island Swim League summer championship August 7 at Agoura High School," says Daou, who had previously led the Conejo Y's Sharks swim team to three consecutive championship titles. "We have a strong team spirit and attitude. We plan on giving the Sharks and other teams in the league a run for their money. We're perfecting our strokes, increasing endurance, building strength and learning to be team players."

   Daou points out that the Simi Valley Family YMCA, Conejo Valley YMCA and the Miller YMCA all have USA Swimming-certified coaches: Daou at the Miller Y, Melissa McIntyre at the Conejo Y and Linda Acuna at the Simi Y. Additional staff coaches are YMCA certified. "We take competition seriously and nothing is more important than team work and the Y’s values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility. We're always looking for young swimmers who want to improve and compete," notes Daou. Swim team tryouts are 10 minutes prior to practice.
   Daou is also the Miller Y's new aquatics and healthy lifestyles director and is responsible for overseeing the Y's swim classes. "Our swim instructors incorporate the YMCA swim philosophy that has taught kids to swim for more than 100 years--advance children at their own pace in a fun, positive environment. It's the best way for kids to love swimming."

   Since pools are indoors at three of the four Y branches, swim teams practice year round and swim classes are available no matter the season.  

   For more information on swim classes and swim teams, contact the nearest YMCA or go to www.sevymca.org, Miller Family YMCA (serving Newbury Park), 805-480-0309, Conejo Valley YMCA (serving Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Santa Rosa Valley), 805-523-7613, Simi Valley Family YMCA, 805-583-5338 and Triunfo YMCA (summer sessions, serving Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Oak Park), 818-707-9622.

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With branches in Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village and Simi Valley, the Southeast Ventura County YMCA serves the communities of Newbury Park, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Santa Rosa Valley, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Oak Park.