It was the largest 91原创 Flippers Invitational Swim Meet yet, with 731 competitors swimming at Al Anderson Pool in 91原创 City Saturday and Sunday, July 28-29.
"Last year we had 619, so it's quite a bit more," said club president Pamela Labrum, who confirmed the club had been planning for around the same number, but was able to handle the increase without problems.
Spectators were being politely cautioned by the public address announcer to avoid blocking the views of others who packed the stands at the outdoor 25-metre, eight-lane pool.
Just outside the pool, athletes of all ages lined up in the shade of a sheltering awning on the lawn to take their turn.
"This is actually our biggest meet on record," commented Mandy Whiddington, a 91原创 Flippers Swim Club board member and spokesperson for the club.
"I feel like I say that every year, but it is bigger yet again. We've got swimmers all the way from Burnaby up to Hope."
Whiddington and Labrum both thanked 91原创 City for making the event possible.
"We wouldn't be able to offer this meet without their support, so we are very thankful to have this beautiful facility, to be able to host all these wonderful swimmers," Whiddington told the 91原创 Advance Times.
Labrum said more and more people are joining Flippers.
"I think it's just word of mouth," Labrum remarked. "People are sharing how much they love our program."
One side-effect of the increased popularity of the sport has been an increased demand for practice time, she noted.
"It's really hard to learn how to swim within the community right now because there's a lack of pool space, essentially. So our program is a condensed program, four months long, and the kids learn how to swim really quickly."
Operating as a not-for-profit run by volunteers and parents for more than 60 years, the summer swim club offers programs for all ages and all levels of ability, including Little Flippers for ages seven and up, competitive swimming and masters courses.
It is a member of the BC Summer Swimming Association (BCSSA), part of the Fraser Valley region.
BCSSA competition season wraps up with regionals and a provincial championship swim meet, held this year at the Prince George Aquatic Centre Aug. 11-17.
More information can be found online at .
Top Flippers club finishers at Invitational:
Dawson Groot 6 & Under Boys
1st 25m Freestyle
1st 25m Backstroke
Selyna Chan 6 & Under Girls
3rd 25m Butterfly
Briar Gemmill Div 1 Girls
3rd 50m Butterfly
1st 50m Breaststroke
Simon Rossnagel Div 2 Boys
2nd 50m Freestyle
3rd 50m Butterfly
2nd 100m Freestyle
Campbell Rueff O-Cat 1 Boys
3rd 100m IM
1st 50m Backstroke
Charlie Rueff O-Cat 2 Girls
2nd 100m Backstroke
Jordanna Boyce O-Cat 2 Girls
2nd 50m Freestyle
2nd 100m Butterfly
1st 50m Butterfly
3rd 100m Freestyle
Riley Goddard Div 5 Girls
3rd 50m Butterfly
2nd 100m Backstroke
Annika Zanatta Div 5 Girls
2nd 100m Breaststroke
Martyna Zukowska Div 6 Girls
3rd 200m Individual Medley
3rd 100m Butterfly
3rd 50m Butterfly
3rd 100m Freestyle
Niko Zanatta Div 6 Boys
2nd 100m Breaststroke
Elliot Griffioen Div 7 Boys
1st 50m Freestyle
1st 100m Backstroke
Michelle Rueff Div 8 Girls
2nd 50m Freestyle
1st 100m Butterfly
1st 100m Backstroke
2nd 100m Freestyle
Brielle Woodruff Div 8 Girls
1st 100m Breaststroke
Henry Wong Div 8 Boys
2nd 50m Freestyle
2nd 100m Freestyle
Firas Saidi Div 8 Boys
2nd 100m Butterfly
