Fun to watch the next generation of swimmers in the pool

I have just spent the weekend at the Fort Frances Sportsplex assisting at a swim meet that attracted swimmers from Thunder Bay To Kenora and north to Red Lake. For many swimmers it was their first experience in competition.
Six year olds amazed both themselves and their coaches with their raw developing talent. Older swimmers have continued to improve.
Two of the swimmers who simply amazed me this past weekend were Keegan Little and Christopher Allan. I can remember back when the two started swimming. They can probably remember me back then because I probably caused more distress to them. Both were awkward and had poor coordination.
Both were often disqualified as they struggled to become proficient swimmers. This past weekend, the two young men proved to everyone watching that they have become good swimming athletes.
Swimmers seem to transform from the fish out of water to become the graceful dolphins. Both young men have made that transition.
While Keegan and Christopher were swimming the best races of their lives in Fort Frances, Donovan Taylor traveled west to Saskatoon to compete in the Manitoba Saskatchewan Championships. Currently he is the best up and coming male swimmer in the region and swims at a level that he is nationally ranked for his age.
Swimming has provided lots of opportunities for young people from our community and communities across the Northwest. Many have gone on to compete very successfully at college and university levels.
Alex Parent who is swimming for the McMaster swim team, has been invited to the Olympic trials where he will be competing for a position on the Canadian Swim Team competing in Beijing. Ashley Dutton who competes for the Lethbridge University team, will shortly be competing at the university championships hoping to capture times that will allow her to go to the Canadian nationals and Olympic trials.
Not all swimmers continue to compete. Many transform their enjoyment of the sport and become lifeguards, and swimming instructors.
However it remains fun to watch young kids transform themselves to successful athletes and then to transfer their enjoyment of swimming to another generation.

–Jim Cumming,
Publisher