Ellen, who was named Head Coach in the spring of 2012, celebrated 30 years with the Water Rat Swim Team in 2016. Ellen joined the team in November 1986 as an assistant coach, working with swimmers at every level in the program. She quickly became a full-time assistant coach and was promoted to Senior Coach in 1990. Prior to working in Westport, Ellen coached at the Bulldog Swim Club in Bowie, Maryland, where she was the Senior II and Head Age Group Coach. She also coached all levels of the South Carolina Aquatic Team in Columbia. Ellen was named YMCA National Coach of the Year in 2015.  She also has been named Connecticut Senior Coach of the Year twice and was nominated for the honor again in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Ellen strives to help her swimmers mature as individuals as they progress from the age group to senior level and she encourages them to challenge themselves physically and mentally every day.

Level 3;2 (High School; USA) ASCA Certification
Rob, who joined the Water Rat coaching staff in spring of 2015, currently serves as our Head Developmental Coach. Rob's main practice group is Discovery II, where he transitions swimmers coming out of the 8/under program- which he also oversees. Rob previously served as the Head Coach of the Stratford YMCA (BSY) Swim Team from 2012-2015. During the summer, Rob is the Head Coach at the Black Rock Yacht Club, which competes in Division 3 of the Fairfield County Swim League (FCSL). Rob also coaches High School swimming; in the fall he serves as the Head Coach for Fairfield Ludlowe girls’ team, while in the winter he is the Head Coach at Fairfield Prep (boys). Rob loves working with swimmers of all ages and abilities. In Rob’s free time he enjoy sports such as softball, and cheers for both the New York Jets and Mets.

Level 3 ASCA Certification
2015, 2016 Connecticut Zone Team Coach
Kristen, who joined the Water Rat coaching staff in 2012, currently serves as the Lead Coach for our Discovery I group and works with our senior group. Kristen previously served as the Head 8/Under Coach and head of the team's pre-competitive programs. She started working at the Family Y in 2006 as a swim instructor, spending eight summers working at the Y’s Hafaday swim program. In 2015 Coach Kristen was selected as a member of the Connecticut Zone Team Coaching Staff, which she served on for 2 years. Kristen was also an assistant coach with the Staples High School Girls' team for 3 years and currently serves as the Assistant Swim Coach with Sacred Heart University.
Kristen is a 2011 graduate of St. John’s University with a degree in Biology. She began swimming competitively at the age of six and continues to train with the Water Rat Masters and competes annually at YMCA Masters Nationals Championships.

Jamie joined the Water Rats in the Late Fall of 2019.  Jamie has had a a lot of coaching experience prior to joining the Water Rats.  Following a swimming career in high school at the Badger Swim Club and college at Fordham University, where she graduated in 2004, Jamie coached at American University in Washington, D.C. from 2004-2005, University of Connecticut from 2005-2006, Missouri State University from 2007-2009 and then at the College of New Rochelle from 2009-2013.  Jamie has also coached at several summer clubs, in New York and Connecticut over the years.  Jamie brings her many years of coaching experience to our 8/under group, primarily working with the Blue team but also helping out with the Red Group. 

Rich joined the Water Rat Coaching staff the Spring of 2019, working mainly with the Senior Group. Rich is a native of New Canaan who swam for the Water Rats from 1988 to 1996 under coach Ellen Johnston. During his swimming career he set multiple team and state records on the way to becoming an Eastern Zone champion and Y National finalist. He began his coaching career with the St. Croix Dolphins Swim Team before becoming the head swimming and water polo coach at Canterbury School in New Milford, CT. Under coach Carter’s guidance saints swimmers broke twenty three school records over four seasons.Rich attended Villanova University where he was a standout defenseman for the Wildcats division I lacrosse program. He is currently the assistant coach for the Ireland Men’s National Lacrosse Team and just completed his tenure as head boys varsity coach at North Broward Preparatory School in Coconut Creek, FL. He continues to compete in open water and triathlon events. Rich and his wife Leslie reside in New Canaan.

Charlie comes to Westport after recently graduating from the University of Texas, where he was a member of their storied men’s program under legendary coach, Eddie Reese.  During his time at Texas, Charlie was a 3 time All-American, and a 4 time Big 12 Champion, helping the team to win 4 Big 12 Championships and 1 NCAA National Championship.   When not on the pool deck, you can often find Charlie in the upstairs gymnasium, playing a game of pick-up basketball.

John joined our coaching staff in the Fall of 2022.  He mainly coaches our 8/unders and pre-competitive swimmers. Raised in Fairfield, CT, John is a former Water Rat. After graduating Fairfield Ludlowe HS in 2016, John went on to swim at the University of Virginia. At the 2016 YMCA Short Course National Championships, John was the Y Nationals Champion in the 100 Freestyle, earning him a spot on our Team's Wall of Excellence. In addition to coaching, John also works as a Special Ed Paraprofessional at an elementary school in Fairfield. In his free time, John avoids the pool, but loves to cook and to hike.