The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page
POOL SCHEDULE UPDATE
August marks the last half of the swim season at Centennial Pool in Memorial Park.
The month continues to be full of activity ranging from lessons to fun.
Summer Swim Lessons continue to dominate the pool schedule with Session F (Kid Swim 5-10) set to run from August 14th to 25th. The set of ten classes will cost $40.00.
Life Saving Courses are also being offered including Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross and NLS. Contact the pool for details regarding requirements, cost and scheduled dates/times for each course.
When it comes to fun, there's no shortage of it at Centennial Pool. Weyerhaeuser-sponsored free swims are set to take place Sundays August 6th, 20th and September 3rd from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and Wednesdays August 16th and 30th from 7:00 to 8:30 PM.
Theme Nights this month include Tropical Fun Night on August 9th and Starry, Starry Night on August 23rd. The cost to participate in either is $5.00 per person and includes games, snacks and prizes. Both theme nights will run from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.
A pool special feature is Food Hamper Night on August 30th. Swim for free from 7:00 to 8:30 PM that evening providing you bring a non-perishable food donation. Pool rentals are still available. Call the pool for date and time availability. The cost is $50.00 per hour and a lifeguard is supplied.
Have a birthday celebration this Summer? Centennial Pool also offers a variety of birthday party packages.
For further information, or public swim schedule times, contact the pool at (250) 295-6535 or drop into the facility located in Memorial Park, just off Highway 3, east of town.
ULTRAMAN CANADA EVENT RETURNS
Steve Brown, race director for Ultraman Canada, announced last week that Ultraman Canada will be returning again this year and will be taking place August 12th to 14th.Ultraman Canada is a three-day, 512.6 KM (318.6 miles) individual ultra endurance event, which covers part of the Okanagan Similkameen regions.
Stage 1 starts with a 10km swim in Skaha Lake and a 145 km bike ride the first day, which ends in Okanagan Falls.
Stage 2 consists of a 273 km bike ride starting in Penticton and ending in Princeton.
Stage 3 is an 84 km run from Princeton to Summerland on the old Princeton / Summerland Highway. The finish for Day 3 is at the new Summerland Waterfront Resort, where a Finish line Barbeque is planned and is open to the public.
Organizers encourage people to come down and cheer the athletes accomplishments and enjoy the festivities.
The event is truly international with athletes coming from Sweden, Australia, Mexico, and USA and of course Canada. The youngest competitor is 35 and the oldest 57. There are 3 women in the field this year, a change from when they were lucky to get 1.
The race requires that each athlete compete with a support crew. The crew travels the entire course in a vehicle basically acting as a traveling Aid Station. It makes for a very interesting weekend for anyone that would like to get involved.
The athlete covers all costs, including vehicle, meals and accommodation. Organizers do require some people to act as crew members as well as the big need at this time is for people with canoes and kayaks that would be willing to paddle for the athletes during the swim portion.
"We have found that crews and athletes that go through this experience together form lasting friendships. With all the emotional highs and lows of three days of extreme physical output there is a natural bonding that takes place between the athlete and their crew," Brown explains.
"This is truly an emotional experience and one that is unique to this event."
Anyone interested in volunteering may contact Steve Brown or Neil Macdonald at Peach City Runners and Nordic Ski, 214 Main Street, Penticton or phone (250) 490-3334.
