Italy Synopsis from Coach Lynch

Now that we are home from Italy and have had some time to reflect on the trip, I thought I would offer my impressions.
I thought the trip was very worthwhile on several fronts. First, I thought the group of boys came together and is now much tighter. The senior boys definitely got the opportunity to improve their relationships with the underclassmen. We had some great opportunities to spend a lot of time together at meals, in the hotel, on the road to various sightseeing adventures etc. Secondly, we had the opportunity to see much of the Italian Riviera which is spectacular. We also went to Pisa and Lucca as you saw in the photos. I know everyone enjoyed Santa Margarita and Portifino, especially the cliff jumping. Third, we had some productive water polo training. Our individual workouts in the mornings were very productive. Although not all of our games against the Italian clubs were on a high level, I thought the training was most beneficial to our younger players. The juniors improved and gained confidence, which in turn, will help push the starting group. It is always beneficial to experience water polo in another country. Finally, we began our mental training for the upcoming season. Each player was given a book, Mind Gym and a journal to begin the mental training process. This should pay big dividends for this group as we progress towards the fall season. I also had the opportunity to meet with each player individually to go over their strengths, areas for improvement and their role on the team. It was a great time where the focus was on our team. I know all the boys grew from this experience and I know it will pay big dividends in the future.

I also wanted to thank all the parents on the trip and those that stayed behind for all the support in making this happen. Lynne Hayes was a great team mom and it was nice having the Yeagers, Taubers, Hayes and McLarens on the trip as well. It truly was a beautiful place to visit.

Jason Lynch

July 12th

Yesterday was an exhausting but productive day! The big tour bus left their hotel in Recco at 9 and headed up to Nice, France where we arrived around noon. The bus parked at least a mile from the beach so everyone hoofed it down and spent two hours swimming, fauna watching and para-gliding. The daring young men in the flying parachute who went in pairs were: Dane Sequeira and Jack Yeager in flight #1 and immediately following in flight #2 were Zach Lucas and Matt Russell. The 10 minute sail was well worth it according to the participants. We returned to the bus and then headed back towards Recco and stopped in the seaside town of Imperia where we played the local Imperia club team in a beautiful pool, similar to the architecture of the Camogli pool with a semi-open roof. Newport dominated the Imperia Impalas after a slow start with both the starters and the back-ups showing the locals what it is to counterattack and be in top-notch swimming shape. Both Nick and Ikaika looked sharp in goal. Our 6 on 5 defense held the opponents to two goals in seven attempts whereas we were successful in scoring 70% of the time. Jason is very pleased with the team's progress. Every player improved and that was the goal for the trip. I think the coaches feel that this team has a whole lot of potential and has what it takes to be very successful this season. Most importantly the boys genuinely like each other and they are learning how to play with their teammates.

The bus arrived at the hotel at 9:30, dinner of pasta, chicken, french fries and a lime/chocolate dessert at 10:30 and then a well-deserved good night's sleep. They were planning on spending today (Sunday) just "chillin" and maybe coming over to Camogli to hang at the hotel where the parents have been staying with a great pool and wonderful private beach. They may even have one last game/scrimmage tonight before packing up and getting ready for their trip back to Newport.

That's it for this trip. Maggie and I are heading off to the Lake Como region which is near Milan Malpensa for our early flight Monday morning. The team along with Lynne and the Yeagers, Mclarens and Taubers are all on the same flight to Atlanta with a connection to John Wayne. Lynne's mom, Bunny, will be flying to England for a few days of r & r before she returns home.

Lynne did an unbelievable job as team mom and deserves everyone's thanks and show of appreciation. What was especially impressive was her cool and calm demeanor throughout. One thing in her favor was the great group of boys who were respectful and well-behaved throughout. All you parents are to be commended for the great job you've done in rearing your son (Mclarens - sons!). I can't imagine a better bunch traveling together anywhere.

I'm in the process of uploading yesterday's fotos from Nice and Imperia. I don't know how far I'll get before our train pulls out of the Camogli station. What I don't get uploaded I'll take care of as soon as Maggie and I get to the house.

Arrivederci and ciao!

Laird


Fun tip from Dan - I have been able to see the Camogli, Sori, and Recco pools via Google Satellite. Fun tip as you can trace the coast line and see where the kids have gone. Satellite gets to about 500 ft over the towns/pools…



Check it out at Google maps.



Dan

July 11th Evening

We're at the scrimmage at the Camogli pool. It started after 9 pm and it's almost 10. So very Italian! The locals have assembled a competitive team and both our first and second groups are getting equal playing time and are doing very well. Both teams are practicing their 6 on 5's. Our offense and defense when up/down a man is looking better and better. We're playing with a lot of passion and are counter attacking with reckless abandon! It's amazing to watch Jason and Corey coach. They never stop. They are always teaching and the players on the bench pay close attention so when they get in they don't make the same mistake. Maggie is unofficially keeping score and the Sailors are on top at the moment. Ciao!

** Todays Pictures of Portofino, should be posted by the time you wake up tomorrow!

July 11th

Last night's scrimmage at Sori was interesting to say the least. The match was set up at the last minute and when Newport saw their opposition was comprised mostly of some very young players there wasn't the usual enthusiasm as one would expect. But things turned out well as some of the Newport players joined the Italian team and ended up playing mainly against one another with the exception of a couple of Italian players the same age as our boys who evened things out. The setting couldn't have been more beautiful with the pool right on the Ligurian Sea similar to the Recco pool minus the permanent grandstands. In their place was a bar in the end zone where the Newport parents, along with some Italian locals, watched the game from behind protective netting to keep wayward shots from whacking people in the head and/or knocking beverages off of the tables. Some folks suggested a similar set-up at Newport could generate a lot of revenue but the Board of Education is unlikely to approve such a concept! All the boys played a lot and it was an excellent opportunity for them to work on the things that the coaches have been teaching them. It was good to see Renee and Matt Mclaren and Evelyn and John Yeager who arrived from Tuscany just in time for the opening sprint.

Annette and Tim Tauber and Maggie and Laird decided to walk from Camogli to Sori which is the next town after Recco. It didn't look that far on the map but two hours later we found ourselves arriving at the pool. It was quite the hike but provided some beautiful vistas of the coastline including some little coves packed with swimmers and sunbathers. After the scrimmage the boys headed back to the hotel for a 10 p.m. dinner and bed for they were going to be up and at 'em at 6:30 the following morning to take the bus to Camogli for their last morning workout of the trip.

Later this morning eveyone's going to board the train to Santa Margherita where we'll walk to Portofino and spend a couple of hours to see where the rich and famous hang out. We'll then board the boat for the trip back to Camogli and Recco in time for the boys to get some rest and a bite to eat before tonight's game against one of the top age group teams in Italy. Tonight should be the real deal and I'm sure Coach Lynch and Coach Delahunt are anxious to see how we'll do.

Tomorrow's (Saturday) plan look pretty exciting. A big tour bus will take everyone including the four sets of parents over to the Italian/French border where a game is scheduled. I will find out the name of the town where we're going so you can look it up on a map and get an idea where we'll be in relation to the Camogli/Recco area.

July 10th

****The Photo Gallery is back online.. Laird will post more photos of todays events tomorrow morning. Thanks, Terisa

Another excellent workout this morning in the Camogli pool from 7-9:30. Lynne reported that they went back, ate breakfast and then looked at film of yesterday's scrimmage. Afterwards Coach Lynch was having individual meetings with the boys. They are going to have the rest of the afternoon off to poke around Recco or just rest in their rooms before tonight's 7 o'clock game in the Recco seaside pool.

Tomorrow will be the last morning workout in the Camogli pool. Afterwards the troops are going to hop on a short train ride to Portofino and poke around that "rich and famous" part of the Italian Riviera. They're scheduled to take the boat back to Recco to rest up for a 9 p.m. game in Camogli. A game in France is scheduled for Saturday and Lynne has made arrangements to get a big-enough bus to take the four sets of parents who will all be in town by then - the Mclarens, Taubers, Yeagers and Hayeses. Sounds like a lot of fun.

I'm having difficulty today uploading pictures on the Web Gallery. I'm trying to get things sorted out but if I'm unable to get them posted you'll just have to be patient until we return on the 14th.

Ciao and arrivederci!

Laird

July 9th Afternoon

This afternoon's scrimmage against one of Camogli's club teams went very well. Coach Lynch was extremely happy with the boys' intensity and their being able to pick up some new concepts that he and Corey are teaching them. As with anything, water polo played at the high level that Jason expects his players to play at can be a very complex game. There are so many nuances that go way beyond what the casual observer sees when watching a game. That's why we're so fortunate to have such high level coaching that will prepare our sons' to play at the next level, and be successful, if they choose to do so. Our players are smart and they're figuring out what the coaches want them to do in a variety of situations. Water polo, like soccer, is a fluid game and players need to figure things out on their own and make a decision in a micro second. It's a difficult game to coach and to play and for our boys to play at the level they need to play to contend for another CIF Championship they have a lot to learn...and they're well on their way due to rigorous training here in Italy. This afternoon's scrimmage started at 2:30 and went virtually non-stop until 5. Both the starters and the second group played an equal amount of time. Some players in the second group got to play with the first group. As Coach Lynch says often, it's going to take EVERY player here in Italy and those who are not here but are in the varsity workout group. to give it their all to make this a championship caliber team..which Coach Lynch feels is very possible given how hard they've been working here in the Mediterranean.

After the scrimmage we walked down a whole lot of steps to the beach at Camogli where the boys played their circle volleyball game while Coach Corey and Coach Lynch took a swim in the Ligurian Sea. As they were all ready to walk back to their hotel in Recco (about 30 minutes by foot) four local soccer kids challenged the Newport Harbor HS boys water polo team to a game of four-a side soccer on a concrete deck next to the beach. With their Italian girlfriends watching the game the locals fell behind 1-0 on brilliant goal by either Zach Lucas, Nick Holbrook, Matt or Dustin - I don't remember who notched the first goal of the match. While their little 9-10 year old gremlin buddies were pelting our players and supporters with pea-sized berries from bushes in the planters that bordered the pitch - a little local intimidation going on! - Andy said he picked up one of the projectiles and zinged it back at one of those little buggers and got him on the head - "Served him right!" - the locals tied it up. Newport went ahead by one and soon thereafter the Camogli Commandos tied it at 2. Lynne Hayes decided it was time to hit the road and Jason oh so diplomatically said that a tie was in the best interest of world peace and the two sides shook hands and pledged world brotherhood to their foreign counterpart.

It was a GREAT afternoon. A lot of laughs and incredible team bonding. These kids genuinely like each other. What's not to like about these kids?!! You'd all be so proud of how their representing their family, school and country.

Ciao,

Laird

July 9th

I uploaded some more fotos this morning - sunset from Maggie's and my hotel room in Camogli and most of the rest show the steps leading up the hill from the bottom part of Camogli to the pool. It's quite a trek! A billy goat would be envious! But well worth it as the views from the hillside are spectacular. The boys will be returning to the Camogli pool this afternoon for a 2 o'clock game. Needless to say they're biting at the bit for some competition and according to Coach Lynch every day from here on out they will be playing some outstanding teams. After the pool training session this morning they all got in the weight room for an hour of strength training. It's quite a sight to see. Each player has a weight lifting partner and they go from station to station to work on a different muscle group. Coach Lynch and David are training partners and Coach is no slouch when it comes to pushing the iron. I also caught a glimpse of him doing no fewer than 10 very legit pull-ups. I was afraid for the wall that the bar was attached to!

There can't be another high school water polo program (and probably very few college/university programs) anywhere on the planet that gets the full course water polo treatment than our program provides the kids. Jason's a tough coach as we all know but I have concluded there is NO DOUBT that he has the best interest of EVERY kid in the program foremost in his mind. He wants them to achieve their potential and he will push and push until he sees them pushing themselves to the point that he feels they can. We as parents should be grateful for his commitment to our sons and their development as players and as men. As soon as he stops yelling and coaching our boys is when we need to start to worry. As a coach I tell my players that once I stop saying anything to them that's the time to get nervous because I've given up on them for their lack of commitment and unwillingness to be coachable. The good news: from my vantage point all of our kids are very coachable and they're all becoming better players...and people. As Maggie continues to remind me, 1) emotions fluctuate and 2) Newport Harbor HS water polo is an AP Water Polo class...and I promise you there is no other that comes close to ours thanks to Coach Lynch and Coach Delahunt. We are lucky to have them both.

Arrivederci !

Laird

Monterosso

After an early morning training session the boys took their bus back to the hotel for breakfast. They then caught the 10:50 train down the coast for 1 1/2 hours to Monterosso, a beautiful seaside tourist resort. The first order of business was to eat which they're all very good at...and they quickly discovered some pizza and fornaccio restaurants where they ate like horses. After lunch it was off to the beach for a swim but the lifeguards weren't allowing any swimmers in the sea in the spot where they wanted to go out due to unusually large surf (for the Mediterranean, er rather, the Ligurian Sea). Unbeknownst to the lifeguards was that most of the Newport water polo players are highly trained ocean lifeguards and/or very accomplished watermen. So instead of defying the lifeguards most of them played a circle game of volleyball with the prop flown all the way here by Dustin Hayes (along with a frisbee) while the rest did a day's worth of female watching - in less than an hour! As the time was approaching for the train back to Recco they hit the gelato stand and loaded up on the world's best ice cream. Lynne corralled them into a group for the requisite Daily Pilot "On Vacation" shot. The only problem - no Daily Pilot. Your erstwhile photographer dropped the ball on that one. But his ever-so-clever wife suggested that we use the International Herald Tribune, a copy of which we had in place of our local fish wrap. Our ever-so-clever team mom said "No problema, (son) Riley will can with a push of a button here and the click of a mouse there turn the IHT into the DP courtesy of Photoshop. Do not dare tell anyone...and we'll see if we can pull it off! The boys are now resting (5 p.m.) for a possible game in the Recco pool at 7:30 tonight. Schedules are a little looser here in Italy than back home. The boys and coaches are keeping their fingers crossed that they'll be able to play. If they do I'll shoot information tonight about how it went. I'm uploading today's Monterosso fotos as I write this blog so be on the lookout on the web gallery. And keep an open mind. No moral police work, please. This is Italy after all! "When in Rome do as the Romans do!" Ciao, Laird

July 7th

This afternoon the boys were scheduled to have a scrimmage but it was called off at the last minute because of a 24-hour railroad strike...not that unusual an event here in Italy I'm told! It started last night at 9 and concluded tonight at 9. They were going to play a 15-under team but kids that age can't ride scooters so they had no way of getting to the pool. But as all of would expect Jason and Corey had a back-up plan and had your typical NHHS well-organized practice that lasted 2 1/2 hours where they were able to work on a lot of areas of the game that needed to be ironed out. Both coaches were extremely happy with the afternoon training and the overall intensity from everyone. The word for the day (and most of the trip so far!) when it comes to playing water polo at the high level that's expected of Newport is "FOCUS." Jason feels that if everyone can learn to focus more during games and training that the sky's the limit as to what this group can achieve.

Tomorrow afternoon the troops have a game in Recco and on Wednesday a game in Camogli. Jason is heading down to Pisa tomorrow between morning workout and the late afternoon game to see his brother and his brother's family who are on a Mediterranean cruise. Needless to say Coach is looking forward to seeing the other Lynches.

Annette and Tim Tauber are down in Portofino and are expected to roll into Camogli any day now. Evelyn and John Yeager are seeing every square kilometer of Italy before they arrive on the 10th. It will be great to see them and I'm sure that Tim and Jack will be happy to see mom and dad!

That's it for now, amiche (friends)!

Ciao,

Laird

Recco Scrimmage July 6th

The scrimmage went VERY well, all two hours worth! Coaches Lynch and Delahunt were much happier with the Newport's performance compared to the scrimmage two days ago. Everyone played
A LOT against a very good 17-under club team from Recco.

Nick started in goal and Ikaika spelled him in the second half of the scrimmage. Maggie and I were keeping very informal stats along with Lynne's help so if we are not exactly correct when you speak to your sons please have some compassion! Goal scorers included (but probably not limited to) Dane, David, Andy, Matt, the two Zach's, Jack and Bob Kraib. On the assist ledger were: Dane, David, Andy, Zach L., Jack and Justin. Drawing ejections were Dustin, who battled all night long and held his own (and dished out his own medicine I'm sure!) against #10 who was might one say not the cleanest player ever to don a cap, Andy and Jack. Stealing machines were the dynamic Zach duo with three each and Andy, Jack and Dustin with one each. Both teams practiced their 6 on 5's and the Sailors, it appeared to this amateur observer, hit the back of the net the majority of the time.

When the final whistle sounded (not because of how much time they had played but more a result of the sun having set and darkness setting in) after a typical Newport cool down of width-wise laps, the coaches talked with them in the bleachers for 10-15 minutes whereupon they packed up and walked the 15 minutes back to their hotel for dinner and bed as they are scheduled to work out and lift at the Camogli pool bright and early at 7 tomorrow (Monday) morning.

Check out the fotos of the Recco pool! A regulation international 30-meter pool, It may be the most beautiful location for a pool any of us have ever seen - right on the point on the rocks above the Ligurian Sea. We all agreed that there can't be a more spectacular venue for a water polo game anywhere in the world!

Ciao for now,

Laird

Italy July 6th

I just downloaded today's fotos taken here in Camogli where the boys trained in the ocean this morning. You can see from the fotos how beautiful the bay is and the water is around 85 degrees - perfect! The sun danced in and out of the clouds but the gentle ocean breeze kept everything very comfortable. Coach Lynch had them swim three round-trips from one point of the cove and back. He and Corey estimated it to be about a 3,000 meter swim total. Corey joined them on lap three and Coach Lynch did his own roundtrip (butterfly the whole way - just teasing!) after the boys got out. Afterwards they had a couple of hours of free time to free dive, get a bite to eat in one of many seaside cafes, tour the boardwalk, check out some of the beach scenery (I'm sure you get the drift!) with a consensus of very positive results, and just good old fashioned relaxation.

This evening at 6:30 they will play a game in Recco which is the city where their hotel is located and about 3-4 km north of Camogli. They jogged from their hotel in Recco this morning to Camogli and then ran three up-and-downs on a very steep set of steps. I'll get a foto of them later today when Maggie and I walk to Recco for the game...and I'll count the number of steps so you'll get an idea of what the pre-swim workout entailed. Maggie and I arrived at their hotel after we checked into ours in Camogli just in time for dinner...except for the main course of pasta. We had plate after plate of calamari followed by more french fries than you could shake a stick at and ended up with sorbet and gelato.

Lynne and her mom, Bunny, are doing a great job as Team Mom and Grandma! She's well-organized and is an amazing planner of fun things for the boys. The bike ride yesterday was her idea and everyone said they had a blast!

That's it for now. The troops are resting in their hotel after walking back to Recco and will be heading down to the Recco pool later this afternoon for their game at 6:30 followed by a typical, very late, Italian-style dinner. I'll take some more fotos and shoot an email after tonight's activities to bring everyone up to date. If anyone needs me to pass along anything to their son just shoot me an email. Everyone's healthy and happy.

Ciao,

Laird

Italy 3

We had a wonderful full size coach bus to take us to Pisa this morning where we paid 2 euro a piece to enter the very grand cathedral of white and gray marble which is situated next to the leaning tower. The tower leans alot but was not as tall as I had imagined. The area was surrounded by grass inside the stone walls and was very beautiful and picturesque. If only you could cut out the row of tourist souvenier booths along the opposite edge. From there we went a half hour drive to Lucca, the medieval city in the Tusacan area. We had a great time. First, we dove into the first pizza and gelato spots that we came across. It was 1:15 and time to eat again. Then we wandered a few blocks to find the bicycle shop where we rented 9 very nice new bikes for 1 hour. They did not have 18 bikes available so half rode and half walked up the rampart to the top of the city walls to ride the paths. The inner city of Lucca is enclosed by fortress walls which were built very wide. A smooth road circles the city and is almost entirely tree lined. The first group detoured into the city below and conveniently ran into us at the top of one of the ramparts where we were filling our water bottles from the natural spring spigot. The second group had their turn on the bikes and we regrouped a half hour later. A few of the boys bought cycling hats or soccer jerseys. For the next hour the four adults steered clear of the 14 boys and vice versa. When we met the boys at the bus, they had just started a pick up game of soccer with some local boys their age who invited them to play. They were so bummed to have to leave at that moment. Back at the hotel, groups of the boys played some volleyball in the parking lot and another group played soccer in their new jerseys. Maggie and Laird found us at dinner, then there was a meeting, then bed.

We have a big challenge tomorrow with a scrimmage against Recco. Fortunately, Laird is here to take picture.

Ciao,
Lynne et al

Italy 2

Yesterday afternoon (Thurs) the boys sacrimmaged in the Camogli pool which is a very nice indoor open ceiling stadium pool. It was wonderful higher arched wood beams, locker and weight room, sun deck, and snack bar. Coach Azevdo commented that it was purposely built to 33 meters so that it could not be used for competitive swimming. We are starting to understand how BIG water polo is in this area. Today, (Friday, Happy 4th) practice was 7 to 9:30, breakfast, a walk around Recco, lunch, meeting, and then scrimmagae 4 to 6:30.

Some words from the boys

Bob says the pool is cool because it is indoor and outdoor.

Matt says the food is Italian and the scenery is exquisite. It look likes Columbia. (very green)

Zach L. says he and his Aryan roommate have raging parties.

Dano says we are having a great time and all are feeling well.

Andy says this trip is super awesome so far.

Ikaika says the food is okay and he saw his first moped.

Tomorrow (Satùrday) instead of Sunday, we will take our bus to Pisa and Lucca. No practices. Sunday we will scrimmage a Recco team in their home pool in the evening. If Dan Hayes can find the picture called "Sori pool at night" in my water polo Italy file on the desktop, he can send it to Terisa to post. You have got to see it to believe it. We will walk the one and a half miles to it.

We are leaving for another dinner.
Ciao,
Lynne et al

Italy 1

We are here at our hotel in Recco. It is called Hotel La Villa. The phone number is country code 39 city code 0185 number 720779. This might be a website www.manuelina.it Coach Azevedo had lunch with us and gave us the lay of the land. The flights and bus ride went well. Everyone got some sleep in flight and on the 3 hour ride to the hotel. Jordan just reported to me that is hot outside (our rooms are air conditioned, the bus was not). It is overcast and muggy. The boys will get in the pool at 4pm. I think it will do them good because if they are feeling like me, it will help clear the jet lag cobwebs. All our meals are at the restaurant next to the hotel and judging from the first meal, they boys will not be disappointed.

Coach Lynch and Coach Corey are plotting the training schedule right now and I get to fill in any blanks. Sunday will be a day off and our first adventure somewhere. I will let you know.

I am sending this from the hotels computer and the keyboard is a little different. Terisa might have to edit any odd characters if this gets posted.

Thank you all for the send off yesterday.
Ciao,
Lynne et al