Submitted by Karen Lovisa Church-With the new season fast approaching, the Masset Eagles Swim Club is gearing up for our best season ever!
But, before we move ahead, we need to express our gratitude to Jeff Hiltz for being the head coach of the MESC for the past few years. Jeff was always there for our kids, taking them to several off-island meets per year, driving his gold Suburban full of excited young swimmers to all the Northern BC centres from Prince Rupert to Prince George. Best of luck to you and your family Jeff - we miss you already. (By the way, will you billet us when we come down to "the Island"?)
Thanks to a grant for the BC Gaming Commission, the MESC will be offering memberships at a fraction of last year's prices. Membership for all ages for our eight month long season, which includes on average three practices per week, will be annually $150. Please note that each competitive swimmer must also pay an annual insurance fee that ranges from $75 to $130 depending on the age of the swimmer.
Our new head coach, Mike McQuaid, has coached teams in Northern BC for several years and was on the Canadian national swim team. He is also a massage therapist, reflexologist, and surfer. Welcome Mike!
Practice times at the Massett Recreation Centre will be Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 5-6 pm. Dry land and weight training will be added after the first few sessions and will start at 4:30 pm. These times allow for participation of all island communities, and it is our hope that swimmers from the southern Haida Gwaii communities will consider membership.
The annual general meeting of the MESC will take place Sept. 13 at 7 pm at NorthWest Community College (Skills Centre), Masset. Swimmer registration will take place prior to the AGM at the Massett Rec Centre from 5 to 6:30 pm, and will be ongoing. Please call Denise at 626-3668 or Karen at 626-5147 for more information.
Swim club offers the opportunity to improve fitness and discipline while having fun in the pool. Children must be able to swim one length of the pool, and have completed swimming lessons level "I Can Swim" Stage 2.