Swimming from Kona to Kelowna

Kelowna – World Master Swimmer of the Year Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen recently presented a number of swim technique clinics in Kelowna to prepare swimmers and triathletes for the competition season.  Organized by the Okanagan Masters Swim Club (OMSC), more than 70 swimmers participated in the clinics.

Based in beautiful and sunny Kona, Hawaii, Karlyn was World Masters Swimmer of the Year in 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2004. To date she has set over 150 Masters World records of which 47 are still current.  In 2007, she was inducted into the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame.

“Our swimming community has really benefited from Karlyn’s stroke improvement sessions.  Karlyn is an inspiration.  At the age of 49, she is faster now than she was as a top age group swimmer.  She has accomplished this feat by learning how to swim more efficiently.  Karlyn now shares her techniques with Masters swimmers and triathletes around the world.  She is also a tremendously gifted instructor who can break down the components of each stroke in a way that is easy to understand.  Our swimmers are already feeling like they can swim faster with less effort.  That was the goal of the clinic, ” said Brent Hobbs, president of OMSC.

A number of exciting swimming events will take place in the Okanagan starting with the Cherry Blossom Masters Meet at H20 on March 28^th, the Across the Lake Swim in July, followed by the Kelowna Apple Triathlon and Open Water Swims in August, and the Okanagan Winefest Swim Meet in October.

Masters swimming provides excellent opportunities to exercise with others, to improve swimming skills and stamina, and for the joy of swimming.  If you are over the age of 18, you are old enough to join. Even if you are over 90, you can continue to be an important and active member of Masters Swimming.

For more information on Masters Swimming visit the OMSC website at okmasters.com.

Event details for the Across the Lake swim can be found at acrossthelakeswim.com and the Kelowna Apple Triathlon and FINA Open Water Swim at appletriathlon.com

L to R: Jonathan Smirl, head coach for OMSC, Pascal Sutherland, Karlyn Pipes-Nielsen and Karl Donahue of Penticton after Sunday morning practice at H20 in Kelowna