The Dolphins are back in the water again for their 63rd season of swimming.
Last Tuesday was the Innisfail Dolphins Swim Club's first practice of the year and so far, 55 swimmers have signed up.
“Some years we have 60, others we have 50 swimmers, so we're right in the middle this year,” said Tammy Thompson, publicity coordinator for the team.
She said the youngest swimmer they have is six and the oldest, 19. “They need to be able to swim a length on their own comfortably without any help,” she said of beginners.
The Dolphins are broken into groups depending on their time and trained by one of three coaches: Janet McAlesse, Ardelle Layden or Bill Culham. The majority of swimmers meet every weekday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. A twice a week course is offered for kids who are either new to swimming or can't commit to the five days, said Thompson.
This year, the Dolphins are part of a new region — region D, and will now head to Castor, Forestburg, Hanna, Killam, Lacombe, Oyen, Ponoka and Red Deer for competitions.
“Last year we were part of Calgary, Canmore, Didsbury, Okotoks and High River.” She said this year the Dolphins were reclassified to a more central location. Some of the pools will be new locations for the swimmers. A few of them are outdoor pools, which will also be a new experience for them, she added.
The Dolphins' season will run until the middle of August.
