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Lessons learned in the Top Fish fray

Top Fish swim meets provide the first introduction to competitive racing for countless swimmers across the country, and the local crew is no different.
Top Fish swim meets provide the first introduction to competitive racing for countless swimmers across the country, and the local crew is no different.

Nickel City Aquatics (NCA) hosted such a meet earlier this month, with NCA competitors all taking something a little different from the event.

Ten-year-old Haley Griffin mixes in swim practices with her other main interest, dancing, learning from those around her while at the pool.

“Last year, I saw the seniors in our club doing this stroke called 'butterfly,' and I wanted to try it, but I could barely get my arms out of the water,” Haley said. “But now, I’ve learned that if I use a stronger kick, and try and get my arms further, I will be able to have a better stroke.”

One of three swimmers in the family, Tommaso Deni was the last to enter the fray with the NCA, taking a somewhat more pragmatic view to this endeavour than his siblings.

“My brother and sister were in the club, and they were both really good, and I decided to go, because I needed to shave off a couple of pounds,” said Deni with a smile. “I decided that this would help me.”

In just his second year of swimming, the talkative 11-year-old is seeing his workouts pay off.

“My first race today, I got six seconds faster (100m freestyle), and my second race was the 100m I.M.,” Tommaso said. “I got an eight-second PB (personal best time).”

Nine-year-old Gabrielle Comeau has been swimming for a while now, though she introduced racing into the mix just two years ago. Looking to better her times this year, Comeau has seen her best results with the freestyle.

“My kicking has improved, so I go faster,” she said. “I have to make sure that I get the high elbow, and that I’m not just dragging my fingers across the water. The butterfly in my toughest stroke.”

For further information on the Nickel City Aquatics and their programs, please contact Alain Delorme either by phone (705-665-5569) or via email at [email protected].

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