The Quesnel Waveriders made a splash at the Dental Moose Meet in Prince George on April 26-28.
It was the first long course race of the season, which meant they were swimming in a 50 metre pool.
According to head coach, Jeritt Brink, the transition from their 25 m home pool can be challenging in the early going.
“It’s hard to replicate the extended metres,” he says, “But I’ve got certain little tricks.
“We’ve been working on doing flip turns a little early in the past month. So they miss the wall and that pays off and challenges the kids.
“But nothing replaces swimming the distance of a long course.”
Despite the challenges, the athletes put in a lot of work in the weeks leading up to it and it showed with many personal bests and a handful of provincial championship qualifying times.
Gauranteed a trip to Victoria for the championships will be Luca Armstrong, 13 who qualified in 100m Freestyle and 200m Medley; Billy Swyers, 15, who earned spots in 50m and 100m Freestyle; as well as Chloe Hopton, 12 who will get a chance to swim for provincial glory in the 50m Freestyle.
Seth Reddeman, 15 technically qualified for his age group in 100m and 200m Freestyle, however he will turn 16 before the games start, so needs to work on some significantly faster times to join his team mates.
‘The’re a lot harder, as they have to make it challenging for 18-year-olds,” Reddeman says, “It’s kind of tough but do-able.”
Boroka Peters had a terrific meet, scoring personal best times in seven out of eight races she competed in and landing a silver medal in her 50m Backstroke.
She is modest about her achievements but concedes the meet was a great time.
“I feel like for some of the races I could have done better but overall it was fun hanging out with friends and just getting some new PBs,” she says.
Next up for the swimmers will be a meet in Kelowna this weekend and then another in Kamloops on June 7.
READ MORE: Twenty-seven Quesnel Waveriders earn PBs at home meet
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