ST. PAUL – Some of the young swimmers from the St. Paul Barracudas Swim Club swam laps for two hours without stopping at the St. Paul Aquatic Centre on Jan. 30.
The effort was part of the club's annual "Laps for Loonies" fundraiser.
Angela Locke, the club's president, says the club holds the fundraiser each year in January to raise money for both the Barracudas and the Aquatic Centre.
In the past, part of the proceeds from the fundraiser went to purchase new inflatables, flippers, flutter boards and other items that can be used by community members who use the pool, she says.
The swim club has existed now for about four decades, estimates Locke, and it is still going strong.
"We're seeing a lot of swimmers," says Locker. "I believe we have over 90 swimmers in the club and we're doing really well."
Among the club's goals is to teach and bring youth more exposure to water in an environment where everybody gets along.
"We're supportive to each other, as you can see tonight," she says. "The kids are just excited and they want to swim. They're supporting each other."
Throughout the swimming season, there are also opportunities for the competitive swimmers of the club, according to Locke. Swimmers can attend swim meets in the region if they choose to, and the club also holds mini-meets each year.
The last mini-meet was held in November, and the next mini-meet is scheduled for Feb. 25.
For members of the community wanting to join the club, Locke says the club holds its annual general meeting every September at Reunion Station, where people can sign up.
"If your kid loves to swim, and loves the water, it's definitely a club that you should check out," says Locke.
