The Lacombe Dolphins Swim Club is gearing up for this year’s swim season.
The competitive Club held their first practice on Monday night at the Burman University pool and swimmers of all ages were more than eager to hop back into the pool.
“I’m hoping to improve the kids’ technique and make sure they are having fun,” said Head Coach Presley Waknuk, of her expectations for the season.
“We will work on all four of the strokes including technique and speed.”
Although it’s her first time heading up the team, Waknuk has a lot of experience in the water including being the Dolphins’ assistant coach last season and swimming in Ponoka for eight years, along with the Red Deer Winter Club.
This season Waknuk is assisted by Sydney Robinson, and with 56 swimmers in total, the group is looking strong and will have many chances at clenching the provincials.
“There are seven club swim meets throughout the season in Central Alberta including regionals and provincials,” said Waknuk. “Regionals are qualifying for provincials which are held in Edmonton on August.”
The Dolphins, depending on their swimming level from junior and intermediate to senior, practice either three or five days a week.
For Caitlin Craven and Emily Debree, who have both been swimming with the Club for seven and five years respectively, the Dolphins Club is not only an outlet to exert their competitive spirit but to meet friends who have like interests.
“I’m very competitive,” said Debree. “But we’ve created a really nice family here. We all know each other very well.”
Craven noted although the Club is competitive, each swimmer is only really competing against themselves.
“It’s your own time you are trying to beat each race,” she said.
In response to a question of what makes a strong competitive swimmer, Craven said each individual must have the will to push themselves and work hard.
“They must be dedicated and have to actually work,” agreed Debree.
Debree and Craven were both excited to get back into the pool and are looking forward to the four-month season.
Although registration is closed, the Dolphins are still accepting late registrations for those who still want to join the Club.
The Dolphins will be hosting their home swim meet, the Lacombe Big Splash, on June 5th at the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre in Lacombe.
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