The Innisfail Dolphins Swim Club turns 65 this year.
Started in 1949, the competitive swim club operates under the guidelines of the Alberta Summer Swimming Association (ASSA), and swims out of the Innisfail Aquatic Centre.
“Earlier this month, we had our first meeting and 52 members registered,” said Tammy Thompson, secretary and registration publicist for the swim club. “Some are new, while others are returning swimmers ready to hit the pool again.”
Competing with swim clubs in Region D which includes Castor, Forestburg, Hanna, Killam, Lacombe, Oyen, Ponoka and Red Deer, the Dolphins' season runs from early May and culminates in the Alberta Summer Swimming Provincial Championship meet that will be held in mid-August in Edmonton.
“Our team is very strong in Region D, with our older swimmers placing in medal contention regularly,” added Thompson.
Dolphin club members can participate in three different levels for swimmers: under eight, aged nine to 12, and over 13 years of age. Practices run on Friday nights from 5 to 7 p.m. Coaches Shae Thompson, Amy Andrew or Bill Culham train swimmers on an alternating basis.
This year the swim club will compete in meets in Okotoks, Lacombe, Innisfail, Hanna, Red Deer, Ponoka, Canmore, and Calgary, in addition to the regional and provincial swim meets in Edmonton.
“It is very rewarding for the swimmers, coaches and families. A swimmer competes with themselves to beat their personal best times to accumulate points for an aggregate total to determine individual winners, and the team is awarded points for swim club competition,” said Thompson. “Last year, the Innisfail Dolphins Swim Club won the best provincial small club for the first time in our history, posting top points in our category.”
The Dolphins will host their home meet on the weekend of June 27 and 28.
For more information on the Dolphins Swim Club check out http://www.innisfaildolphins.com/ or call Tammy at 403-227-4773.
