ST. PAUL – Swimming is a very demanding activity. It’s exhausting.
But on Jan. 24, at the St. Paul Aquatic Centre, the water rippled as young swimmers sliced through the pool, leaving waves trailing behind them with each stroke. They pushed themselves to the limit.
Lana Labrie is the president of the St. Paul Barracudas Swim Club.
Looking toward the kids making laps, Labrie explained they were trying to do 200 laps within two hours non-stop. Some of the kids were younger, some were older, divided into swimming groups. The club has members ages 4 to 19.
“The younger kids are encouraged to do as many as they can... they can use assistance like our flippers and flutter boards,” meanwhile the little kids can use life jackets and flippers, she explained.
Proudly, with 40 minutes left off the clock, she smiled, stating some of the younger kids have already completed almost 20 laps, “which is a big accomplishment.”
While the swimmers, particularly the club’s more experienced members, were encouraged to complete the 200 laps without rest. “They are more than welcome to take a break, go relax in the hot tub for a little bit, and come back to do more.”
Asked why they were doing this, she said it’s part of the local swimming club’s annual “Laps for Loonies” fundraiser, aimed at raising money that would benefit the club and the Aquatic Centre, she said.
All the money raised will go toward a new inflatable that could be used for public swimming. “So, it impacts everybody in our community that uses the pool,” said Labrie.
And to witness the effort of the swimmers to raise funding, Labrie said, they “work really hard.”
In addition to raising funding, it’s also an opportunity for the youth to have some fun, and to challenge them to break their limits, said Labrie.
She then thanked the parents, grandparents, and members of the community who came out to show their support. “A big... thank you.”
As of Jan. 26, the fundraiser raised $1,700.
