Angie Abdou
On the last week before Christmas, the Dolphins held their annual time trial and family fun meet. 90 swimmers competed in the time trial and 47 swimmers in the fun meet. Notably, the swimmers broke four new club records.
TJ Dube led the way setting 2 records in the 10 & under boys category. Dube swam a 41.67 in the 50 backstroke, beating Noah Dodds’ record of 43.90. In the 50 breaststroke, Dube beat Jarren Beck’s longstanding record by a full second. In the 10 & under girls 200 breaststroke, Tanis Robbins beat her own time to set a new club record. In the 11 & 12 girls, Layla Rella added to her long list of achievements with a club record in the 200 breaststroke.
The time trial was a tremendous success with the swimmers earning 146 personal best times and achieving 62 qualifying times.
The difference between the time trial and the fun meet is that the time trial has a certified referee and follows all protocols so that race times are official and count as qualifiers and records. In the past, the Dolphins had to draw referees from bigger centers like Calgary. Now, with swim culture growing in the Kootenays, Fernie has two fully certified referees in town: Trevor Nicholson and Aysha Haines. This development has improved racing opportunities for local athletes.
The fun meet, on the other hand, is unsanctioned and works more as a chance for younger swimmers to try racing and get used to the meet environment.
At this year’s fun meet, the club also had a family relay where parents swam with the young racers. That event was a huge success, especially if success is measured in smiles and laughter, and is guaranteed to become an annual event.
This weekend, the Dolphins will compete at a three-day meet in Cranbrook.