NANAIMO — The Nanaimo White Rapids Swim Club is holding a three-day meet over the Canada Day Long weekend.
It’s a massive event with 465 competitive and novice swimmers.
White Rapids president Kate Palmer said this meet is larger in many ways than others around the province.
“There are over 60 clubs in BC and 11 of those are on Vancouver Island. Nanaimo is the largest club on the island and one of the largest in the province. We’re one of the only meets besides regionals and provincials that offers heats and finals with ages from five all the way to early twenties.”
Swimming will run all day on June 30, July 1 and July 2 at the Kin Pool at Bowen Park.
There are several Nanaimo area athletes in the junior, intermediate, and senior divisions Palmer expects to post strong times.
Danielle Barberie, Lucas Elzinga and Nick Bennett are local swimmers in the open category who are expected to boast impressive results as well.
Many of the top performers will get a chance to move on to regional or provincial championships in August.
“We have some athletes that often are top five in regionals. We send 30-50 athletes to provincials every year. For provincials, the athletes have to place top three at regionals or swim a provincial qualifying time in a final at regionals.”
In 2023 the regional meet is Aug. 4 to the 6 in Duncan.
Nanaimo has been chosen to host the provincial championships from Aug. 14-20.
“We haven’t had provincials in Nanaimo since 2012,” Palmer said. “Our provincial meet brings over 1200 athletes to Nanaimo and their families. The provincials will include artistic swimming, diving, water polo and speed swimming. It’s a week-long event that brings a huge amount of economic activity to Nanaimo.”
Palmer said hosting two meets in less than two months is a massive undertaking for the White Rapids club and it has taken a long time to put everything together.
“We start planning this at the beginning of the year. It takes almost every member of our club to put this on.”
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