Yell for yellow was the motto of Barrhead swim fans last weekend.
For two days yellow became the favourite colour of every local parent, grandparent, aunt and uncle at the town’s swimming pool.
Cries of “go, go, go”, “kick, kick, kick”, “keep pushing”, “good job” and “go Barrhead, go” regularly filled the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre on Saturday and Sunday whenever the yellow swim cap of a Barrhead competitor bobbed above the surface.
The encouragement paid off with many notable performances among the 31 Barrhead Swim Club members who tested their skills against teams from Cold Lake, Edson, Peace River, Grande Cache, Swan Hills and Lac La Biche. About 140 children took part, aged between six and 16.
While no records were broken, some impressive times were posted and, of course, valuable experience was gained. Among the Barrhead group were competitive and non-competitive swimmers from the town’s club.
For the Mohrmann family there was plenty to celebrate, with eight-year-old Mikhael gaining silver in the 8 and Under Boys category, while his 13-year-old sister Natasha won bronze in the 13-14 Girls.
Also doing Barrhead proud were Jordan Caseley after he struck silver in the 15 and Over Boys and Harrison Fisher, who walked away with bronze in the 11-12 Boys.
Barrhead Swim Club head coach Charlene Assenheimer was thrilled with the way the 5th annual Nordic Chill Invitational had turned out, describing it as a great advertisement for the town.
“It was just perfect,” she said. “It was absolutely fantastic. It was our fifth year and I would say the best one ever.”
Assenheimer, who is part of an organizing committee of five volunteers, said it required a huge community effort to stage the event, which draws people from all over the area and puts money into the local economy.
A 50-strong army of volunteers had been assembled to ensure the meet ran smoothly, from time keeping to catering, she said.
A central figure in proceedings was referee Bill Culham, from Red Deer, who held the show together like a conductor of an orchestra.
“The whole community pulled together and all the coaches were very happy with the way things went,” said Assenheimer. “There were congratulations and lots of ‘thank yous’ at the end of the day.
“I was also delighted with the enthusiasm and support from people who came out to watch. There were not only parents, but also grand-parents, aunts and uncles – members of children’s extended family which was really nice to see.”
It was even arguable who put in more effort over the two days, the children or their parents and relatives.
As swimmers went up and down the lanes, family members yelled full-throated roars of encouragement and advice from a packed public viewing section. Some mothers went down poolside to make themselves heard.
There were, of course, plenty of cameras flashing to record the event in family photo albums.
Among the Barrhead swimmers was 13-year-old Mariah Holman, who competed in the breaststroke.
“I really enjoyed myself, although I’m not sure of my times,” she said as she wrapped herself in a towel and spoke to club members.
Also having fun was nine-year-old Hayley Anderson, one of the so-called non-competitive swimmers. It was her first meet.
She nodded enthusiastically when asked whether she had enjoyed herself.
Her father, Gene Anderson, said he had never seen the swimming pool so full.
“It’s obviously very good for Barrhead,” he said.
Sandy McCarthy, mother of 10-year-old Ashley, who was competing in breaststroke, said it had been a great two days for children and parents.
One of the most eagerly anticipated swims was a Sunday relay among coaches and alumni swimmers, designed as an entertaining diversion from more serious competition. For the young swimmers it was a chance to see mentors in action. To see whether the oldies still have what it takes.
Assenheimer (breaststroke) was part of a Barrhead team that included Tonya Card (backstroke), Marissa Koch (butterfly) and Melissa Strawson (freestyle).
It was fiercely competitive, but, alas, Barrhead had to concede top honours to the powerful Grande Cache.
“We finished last, but it was a very tight race,” laughed Assenheimer.
It also answered a point that had been debated among some spectators: Do swimmers hear the cries of “come on” amid the splashing, bubbles and miniature waves?
“Yes, they do,” said Assenheimer. “I could hear ‘go, coach, go.”
The spotlight then switched back to youth. As the early afternoon wore on, the public gallery began to thin with many families facing a long drive home. They drifted away with images of Barrhead, some in their mind, some in their digital cameras.
Assenheimer, who has been coaching for 14 years and is a junior high teacher/school counsellor at Fort Assiniboine, was confident that the images would be positive.
“I think the tournament is a wonderful way of promoting Barrhead,” she said.
Assenheimer, who sees coaching as her contribution to the community, said organizers were very appreciative of the support from sponsors, Barrhead Inn and Suites, The Source and Freson IGA.
She noted that Barrhead Inn and Suites had given a free room to tournament referee Culham.
It was evident during the weekend that the aquatic centre was barely big enough to hold the huge number of people such an event attracts.
Near the top of Barrhead mayor Brian Schulz’s wish list is for the town to get a larger, six-lane pool, suitable for staging showpiece tournaments.
It is an ambition Assenheimer shares. And one she believes will do justice to the talent of Barrhead’s young swimmers.
“I love swimming and I love kids,” she said. “I see a lot of talented swimmers in Barrhead.”
