Chelsea Piers Squash Camps Provide Launching Pad for New Players by Dana Thayer
Kathryn Wright - Round Hill Club Silver GU15 Champion
Ashton Borcherding
May 29, 2014
- Chelsea Piers is the place to be for summer squash camp and training,
with squash camps for beginners and new players, elite camps for
intermediate and advanced players, as well as a summer training program
for high level players.
Summer camp at Chelsea
Piers proved to be a particularly auspicious launching pad for two
young women who started at square one and are now bringing home
trophies. “I first started playing squash in the spring of 2012,”
comments Greenwich Academy middle schooler, Ashton Borcherding. “To say
the least, I was bad … really bad. I could barely hit the ball and
getting one to go straight was a miracle. I came to Chelsea Piers
Connecticut that summer and did one of the full day camps for two weeks
with my best friend Kathryn Wright, who was equally bad. Natalie
Grainger, Supreet Singh, and many of the other coaches at Chelsea Piers
helped us work really hard on our swings, fitness and movement that
week. We were hooked - on the sport and Chelsea Piers! Throughout that
year, we did practically every clinic we could do together and really
improved a lot, pushing each other to be better. Now we are both in the
top 100 in the country. We have competed in international events,
nationals, and a tournament in California. We also placed third at
Middle School Nationals together this winter. I am so grateful to
everybody at Chelsea Piers for believing in me and getting me to where
I am now!”
Kathryn Wright’s
recollection of her start in squash underscores the point that it’s
easy to get started in squash – if you have the grit and determination
to try. Looking back on her first day of camp, Kathryn recalls
“We had never really played squash before, only dabbled in the sport
and were a little nervous, but we came ready with our matching outfits
and racquets. It turned out we had been put in the ESP elite squash
program! Looking back, our mothers must have over exaggerated our
actual level of playing because we certainly did not fit in. Within the
first day I was called over by camp director Natalie Grainger. After
spending over twenty minutes trying to hit the ball back to her,
Natalie claimed she did not have enough fingers or toes to count how
many things that needed fixing. However, by the end of the two weeks I
had made tremendous progress. I was able to hit the ball directly to
the front wall and keep a rally going. That summer camp was my
launching point into squash.”
The staff of
accomplished coaches at Chelsea Piers ensures all camp sessions are
dynamic, invigorating and of the highest quality. The club boasts 12
courts and offers a relaxed, friendly and social environment.
Since opening in July 2012, the program now has a proven track record
of producing National Champions as well as bringing new players into
the game each season. Summer Squash Camps start June 16th and run
throughout the summer, with weekly sessions available. To learn more,
visit http://www.chelseapiersct.com/camp/listing.cfm?sport=squash
