The Greater Trail Stingrays will be making waves this weekend as they host their annual swim meet at the Trail Aquatic Centre.
The Stingrays will see an energetic crew of young swimmers take to the water to race against seven other swim teams from around the Kootenays.
“The club is looking good this year,” said Stingrays coach Samme Beatson. “It is smaller than previous years as some of the older swimmers have moved on, but we do have some new younger swimmers who are very keen on swimming.”
The formation of the competitive TRAX Swim Club has absorbed some of the Stingrays athletes, yet the Stingrays Club continues to thrive and be competitive because of its fundamentals.
“The Stingrays always offers a fun and worthwhile summer activity that I believe will always be relevant,” said Beatson. “Running alongside the TRAX club has proven to be less of an issue than anticipated for a few reasons. The Stingrays is a summer swim club that welcomes kids who play different sports during the winter season and still be competitive in swimming. It is a fun place to learn the fundamentals of swimming for beginner swimmers at any age.”
The biggest obstacle to the Stingrays growth of late has been the City of Trail’s Residency Program and Sports Pass policy that has caused more than one headache and has restricted athletes, including Stingray swimmers from Rossland, from competing on a level playing field or pool as it were.
“Paying the TRP fee for Rossland swimmers has become quite difficult, but our club has a temporary solution this year that will help Rossland families get their children in the water.”
The Stingrays will run a program in the Rossland Swimming Pool starting next week that will be similar to the Trail Program and allow swimmers to attend the swim meets in the region.
“It is unfortunate, however, that young athletes from Rossland do not have the same opportunity to train within their greater community and use the best suited facility for competitive swimming in the area,” added Beatson.
Beatson invites the public to the Trail Aquatic Centre this weekend to watch local athletes compete on Saturday and Sunday.
