The St. Paul Barracudas swam 143.7 kms, almost the distance from St. Paul to Edmonton as the crow flies, at the club’s annual swim-a-thon. Fifty-five swimmers completed 5,794 lengths in two hours at last Thursday afternoon’s event.
“Every year the kids amaze me on how many lengths they can swim, and with most swimming a kilometre or more, that is fantastic,” said Darren Culham, head coach for the Barraducas. “The swim-a-thon gives a chance to the parents to come count (lengths), and be surprised by their child’s swimming endurance.”
Parents recorded the number of lengths for their child and submitted the total to organizers. At the meet, Culham informed parents that 40 lengths is 1 km and 64 lengths is a mile.
There were ties for both first place and for second place swimmers. Adam Tymko and Brooke Jennings each swam 220 lengths to take first place and Mackenzie Trottier and Tanielle Yacey each swam 108 lengths for second place.
“It was fun,” said Yacey after the meet. “I was really feeling tired and sore the next day but it was great exercise.”
She explained that she swam so many laps because she was feeling good at the time and so she just kept going. “It’s a great way to improve your strokes.”
The club raised $3,249 at the event, which will be used to offset expenses for the club this year. The top money earners were Ally Roe at $408, Karlee Seguin with $290 and Alexandra Ryning, collecting $225.
The club received the final meet results from the Mayflower meet, held on Jan. 11 at Sherwood Park. Maxwell Chen placed first in the 25 metre breaststroke for males aged nine to 10 and he placed forth in the 25 metre freestyle for males aged nine to 10. Rebekka Rae Pratch placed second for 25 metre freestyle for females aged nine to 10 and third for the 100 metre individual medley (IM) for females aged nine to 10. Clark Gates placed forth in the 100 metre freestyle for males aged 11 to 12.
