“I’m really, really excited to see the kids race and get them all together for the first big team event we’ve had in two years.”
That from Nancy Day, Sault Surge Aquatic Team (SSAT) head coach as the group assembled to compete at the SSAT Invitational - hosting teams from North Bay and Elliot Lake - at the John Rhodes Community Centre Pool Saturday with about 200 swimmers competing.
The event continues Sunday and is the first Sault Surge competition at the Rhodes since 2020 due to COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions.
The group consists of approximately 70 swimmers from seven to 17 years of age, the Surge hoping to get up to over 100 swimmers as COVID restrictions lift and swimming meets resume. The Surge is trying to attract new swimmers, especially in the seven to 10-year-old age bracket.
The club had a competition in Windsor in December 2021 but this weekend’s SSAT Invitational will include younger swimmers.
“Every age group will be racing. This is a good chance for everyone to see where they are and how they’ve been doing (since the last time the Surge competed at the John Rhodes pool),” said 16-year-old Sault Surge swimmer Kaelyn Albert.
“It’ll be great. I’m really excited to get back in and see if the training has been paying off. It’ll be a good experience. We have had chances to train (at the Rhodes pool) but it’s been on and off (due to COVID lockdowns) but now we’re getting back into it officially.”
Albert said there are a lot of positives to the sport.
“Swimming brings me joy. It makes me feel motivated and accomplished. I’ve made a lot of friends through it and it’s a great activity to keep me healthy,” Albert said.
“I didn’t have a chance to go to the Windsor meet so my last swim competition was the Ontario Youth Juniors exactly two years ago today,” said Sault Surge swimmer Haley MacFarlane, 16.
“(Practicing) was a bit spotty sometimes because of the lockdowns but now we think we’re back in it for good. It’s going to be a little bit nerve wracking but exciting (to be competing locally again).”
“It keeps you in good shape and it’s a really thrilling sport because it's an individual sport but also a team sport,” MacFarlane said.
With the arrival of the event, Day said the local swimmers are in a good position to compete.
“The kids are ready. I see their swimming abilities and they’re ready to race. I expect to see some good racing this weekend,” said coach Day.
“I hope this is the first step towards a more normal ability to run the club overall,” said Franca Broadbent, Sault Surge president.
“During the pandemic we were restricted not only in the pool but also out of the pool with fundraising. Registrations were down because we were limited with how many kids we could have in the pool as per APH guidelines. Going out into the community and asking businesses for sponsorships was also impacted by the lockdown measures. Being able to host meets also generates a profit for the club, so hopefully we can return to put our efforts into reestablishing those committees and projects to build on the success of our club.”
“The kids are rebuilding what they’ve lost (through pandemic lockdowns),” Broadbent said.
A bake sale will be held in the lobby of the John Rhodes Community Centre Sunday as a Sault Surge team fundraiser.