JASON BOIS

2017 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

            Woody and Mary Bois were not swimmers but installed an inground swimming pool when they built their home in North Smithfield. Their children, Jason and Cindy, took advantage of the pool and after learning how to swim joined the competitive swim team at the Smithfield YMCA. Swimming for Coach Kevin Thornton, Jason won the RI Age Group 10 and Under championship in the 50 yard breaststroke. Jason also excelled in the Narragansett Swim League (NSL) being named the Most Valuable Swimmer (MVS) for three (3) consecutive years winning all but three (3) individual races during that time.

            At age 11, Jason joined the Little Rhody Aquatics Club (LRAC) and furthered his commitment to swimming.  While swimming for Dan Rhinehart at LRAC, Jason became a New England Champion in the 11-12 year old age group 100 breaststroke. During those years, he was encouraged to play water polo.  Playing water polo under Ed Reed’s tutelage, Jason fell in love with the sport! Alternating water polo and swimming seasons, Jason achieved perennial State Championship Swims, Junior Olympic Water Polo Championships, Olympic Training Center invitations to Colorado Springs, and was named to the US Water Polo All American 1990 Team. Fellow LRAC teammate, Ed Vilandrie (RIAHOF, Class of 2015) wrote in his recommendation letter of Jason; “Jason’s very successful and consistent performances at both the State and New England levels was a result of excellence from hard work, dedication, perseverance, friendship, and trust.”

            Jason represented North Smithfield High School in Interscholastic competition as an independent swimmer and during this time competed for Coach Dan Solomon while swimming for Cumberland Area Swim Team (CAST).  Under Coach Solomon, Jason qualified for Junior Olympics with a qualifying time of 21.37.

            Jason went on to swim and play water polo at Wilbraham Academy during a postgraduate year.  After graduation from Wilbraham Academy, Jason competed for two years in swimming and water polo at Slippery Rock University.  Jason lives in San Diego and still competes in US Masters Water Polo for ‘The Dark Side”.  He is a seven (7) time Masters All-American, a two (2) time Master National Champion, and was a bronze medalist in the 2010 and 2012 World Master Championships.