INNISFAIL – There were plenty of positive vibes from the Innisfail Dolphins' recent 2018 Invitational Swim Meet.
“The meet’s been going really well this year so far. There’s a lot of positive feedback and the weather’s great,” said Kendra Haldorson, president of the Dolphins. “We have 10 clubs here and there’s 220 swimmers.”
The event took place at the Innisfail Aquatic Centre on June 29 and 30.
Swim clubs from across Central Alberta took part in the event, including those from Forestburg, Hanna, Killam, Lacombe, Olds, Red Deer and Innisfail.
Haldorson said a total of 70 swimmers from Innisfail participated in the annual swim meet, with close to 80 swimmers registered in the Dolphins club this season, which began on May 1.
“Innisfail’s always had a strong team. We’re definitely a younger team this year, but quite strong,” she said.
Participants in the swim meet ranged in age from five to 18 years and competed in a variety of events.
“Friday night there were distance swim (events). We had the 1,500-metre, 400, 200 and the long butterfly races,” said Haldorson. “Today (Saturday) is a combination of some shorter swims, a lot of them are 25- metre distance such as backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and we also have the 50-metre of those races.”
In addition to having fun, the annual swim meet is an opportunity for each swimmer to better their times and enjoy some friendly competition from other swim clubs in nearby towns, said Haldorson.
“It’s great to see some competitive swimming and (participants) improving their times,” she said. “They always encourage each other.”
The top three swimmers in each category received a gold, silver or bronze medal, she noted, adding every team within their region holds an annual swim meet.
“The swimmers are working towards regionals and provincials (competitions) in August at the end of the season,” explained Haldorson, noting the swim meet also gives swimmers a chance improve their skills.
“It (helps them) try to (reach) their best times. It prepares them for those races,” Haldorson concluded.
