The Nanaimo White Rapids won the Vancouver Island regionals by a country mile, and that’s a wide margin in a sport that counts milliseconds.
So the city’s swimmers are in top form heading into this week’s B.C. Summer Swimming Association championships.
Provincials are being held this week at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre. The water polo, diving and synchronized swimming events were held during the past few days, with diving and synchro continuing today (Aug. 16). The main event, the racing, gets underway Friday (Aug. 17).
“We’re looking for the swimmers to do their best and just give them an opportunity to race in their hometown. They’re really excited,” said Gareth Saunders, coach of the White Rapids.
At regionals in Courtenay over the August long weekend, the Rapids won the club title with 5,085.5 points, more than the second- and third-placed clubs combined. Racing and winning in high-stakes finals will serve the Rapids well this week, said Saunders.
“It’s just getting the experience of controlling their excitement and their nerves,” he said. “If they’ve qualified, they know they can do it again.”
SWIM SHORTS … The BCSSA championship swim races go all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com