Close to 200 competitors are expected in Kelowna’s later this month for the Masters Swimming Association of B.C. provincial championships.
Hosted by the Okanagan Masters Swim Club (OMSC), the event will run April 21 to 23 at the H2O Adventure & Fitness Centre.
Multiple world record holder Karlyn Pipes, a Hawaiian based masters swimmer who broke six new FINA Masters world and five USMS records for the 55-59 age group this January, has confirmed her participation.
Having just moved into a new age group and with H2O’s reputation as a ‘fast pool’ Pipes is focused on breaking a few more world records at the meet. She recently tied the knot with Kelowna resident Christopher Hromek.
“Masters swimming is for swimmers of all abilities and this is reflected in our participants,” said OMSC president Sharon Spring. “There is always strong competition for the MSABC Champions Trophy, presented to the team that scores the most points. OMSC hopes that the placement of a ‘lucky Ogopogo’ in similar fashion to the ‘lucky loonie’ in major international hockey competitions, will provide a home-base advantage.”
Volunteers are still needed for time-keeping and other tasks, with no experience required. Long-time volunteer Sam Hoover, both encourages and draws inspiration from competitors aged 18 to 90 and above, and has supported local masters competitions for several years.
MSABC recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions to the improvement of Masters swimming in British Columbia and will announce this year’s winners at an awards ceremony on April 22. Nominations can still be made on the MSABC website.
Information on participating and volunteering at the 2017 MSABC Provincial Swimming Championships is available at: http://okmasters.com/2017-provincials/
MSABC has approximately 1,700 registered members including some at age 90 and over. Masters swimming provides excellent opportunities for improved health and quality of life through regular low-impact exercise, improved cardio-vascular function and the general well-being that comes from exercise, heaps of camaraderie and even a little competition. If you’re over the age of 18, you’re old enough to join.