Having an eight-lane outdoor full-depth swimming pool with new starting blocks makes 91原创 a desirable place to host just about any swim meet.
Such was the case during the B.C. Day long weekend, when the regional swimming competition brought more than 400 swimmers to town.
When it comes to hosting competitive events in the Fraser Valley region, Abbotsford or 91原创 are typically asked to facilitate most, said Francis Cheung, vice-president of the B.C. Summer Swimming Association.
This time around, Agassiz was the host community, but with a shallow, six-lane pool they couldn鈥檛 accommodate an event of this size, Cheung explained, so they asked 91原创 for help. Every team, from Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope, Mission, Agassiz, and Maple Ridge then pitched in.
Flippers showed well
Twenty-one Flippers qualified at this weekend鈥檚 regionals go on to the provincials in Kamloops from Aug. 18 to 20.
鈥淥verall, we had 21 swimmers qualify for provincials 鈥� 11 individual entrants and nine who qualified on relays,鈥� Todd announced.
Last year, the 91原创 Flippers had 15 qualify, and the previous year they had three.
鈥淎 good indication that we are improving as a team regionally,鈥� said the swimmer-turned-coach.
Todd took time this weekend, poolside between heats, to explain that the team has ramped up its mental approach to competition this year, and consequently he said, they鈥檙e seeing dividends in and out of the pool.
There were about 60 members of the Flippers club, swimmers of all ages 鈥� but primarily kids 鈥� taking part in the regional competition.
That鈥檚 pretty significant, since when he joined as head coach four years ago there were only 27 Flippers. There were 45 at the end of his first season, and now the 91原创 swim club is recording one of the largest growths in the province with 96 members.
鈥淥ur goal has been to develop positive mindsets鈥� what we鈥檝e seen today is a lot of swimmers grasping onto that,鈥� he said, noting many Flippers were reporting strong finishes and recording personal bests.
鈥淲hile there were no records that were broken by the team, one notable achievement was that of Natalie Hu, who managed to qualify in the Division 5 Girls 100-metre backstroke with a best time of 1:21.27, taking off three seconds from her previous best time 鈥� which she hadn鈥檛 achieved since last season,鈥� Todd highlighted.
鈥淪he was recently diagnosed with chlorine-induced asthma, and has had a tough season struggling to adjust to her condition,鈥� he explained. 鈥淪he grew frustrated and dejected at some points throughout the season as she wasn鈥檛 getting the results she expected of herself.鈥�
Likewise, fellow swimmer Kenneth Xing achieved a 鈥渉uge鈥� milestone by qualifying in the Boys Division 6, 50-m freestyle with a best time of 29.20. Breaking 30 is an achievement that is widely celebrated and respected amongst the swimming community, and for him to do so in addition to securing a bronze medal is quite a commendable achievement indeed,鈥� Todd said.
Another set of 鈥渞emarkable achievements鈥� according to the head coach came from the masters swimmers.
鈥淭hese are swimmers who are aged 20 and older, primarily parents, and we had four masters qualify for provincials 鈥� Tammy Savard, Chris Jorgensen, Wendy Moss, and Corrine Searle. Interestingly enough, Chris Jorgensen and Corrine Searle are a husband and wife powerhouse team!鈥�
The masters program has grown significantly in recent seasons. They currently have upwards of 15.
鈥淚 believe four years ago we had around eight, and those results certainly reflect a burgeoning program,鈥� said Todd.
He said the 91原创 team was also excited to be competing at their own pool. While some were anxious to show off the new starting blocks, most were just happy to roll out the red carpet to all the visiting teams 鈥� many who camped out in the fields surrounding Al Anderson Pool, Todd said.
Practice for the entire team will still run up until Thursday, Aug. 17, although much of it 鈥� leading up to the provincials 鈥� will focus on the qualifiers.
Flippers who qualified for 2017 provincials
Grace Esplen
Corrine Searle
Kenneth Xing
Tammy Savard
Chris Jorgensen
Cameron Jorundson
Connor Frey
Natalie Hu
Max Niiranen
Wendy Moss
Taya McCartney
Michelle Zhao
Madison Laccasse Owens
Caryse McCartney
Neil Jorgensen
Carter Neva
Kasper Henderson
Austin Taylor
Rose Esplen
Dina Ehl
Will Karpan
