Members of the Estevan Golden Eels swim club were back in the water on May 2 for their first practice of the 2016 season.
Melanie Dzeryk, a Golden Eels executive member, said there are 60 swimmers registered with the club this year meaning they once again have a full membership. She said the expectation is these kids will be practising at the pool at least four times a week under the direction of head coach Cassidy Reich until their season comes to a close in early August.
Thomas Wakely, 17, said he has been speed swimming with the Eels for the past 12 years with an expectation to improve on his times each year. He comes back to the sport each summer to see old friends from the clubs they compete against and for the great exercise it provides.
“Provincials are the biggest thing,” added fellow Eels swimmer Sam Beahm, 18. “You split up your categories and you have a lot of fun doing it. Basically, you try the best you can.”
Dzeryk said the the Eels will host a mini-meet for their younger swimmers on June 3 and a full competition for all their swimmers on July 17. She said the Eels begin their weekly competition schedule on July 2-3 in Swift Current, which culminates with the Saskatchewan Summer Games in Estevan July 28-30 and the provincial finals in Regina Aug. 6-7.
“We actually won provincials the last two years,” said Dzeryk. “All of our top swimmers have returned this year, so we have high hopes.”
