Girl, 9, set to swim across lake
Anine-year-old Kelowna swimmer is hoping to achieve her goal on Saturday. Amelia-Ahn Lou has been training for Saturday’s Interior Savings Across the Lake Swim.
“I have been to four clinics hosted by the Across the Lake Swim Society,” Amelia-Ahn said. “I also go to H2O Adventure + Fitness Centre to practise my 80 lengths.”
Her passion for the water started when she completed the YMCA’s Okanagan Swims program, which is free for every Grade 3 and 4 student in the local school district.
She subsequently jointed the Aqua Jets swim club and continued with swimming lessons.
Emalie Schueler, head lifeguard and swimming instructor at the H2O centre, will be swimming alongside Amelia-Ahn during the lake crossing to coach her along and ensure her safety at all times.
“I have been working with Amelia-Ahn for about a month,” Schueler said. “In our training sessions, Amelia-Ahn practises swimming in the waves to mimic the current of the lake. We also focus on distance swimming and what strokes are best to switch to if she gets tired or cold.”
While feeling excited and nervous about the prospect of swimming across the lake, Amelia-Ahn said, “I can’t wait to look out at the lake and be able to say, ‘I swam that, and I can do anything.’”
The 70th Across the Lake Swim goes early Saturday morning from the Westside to City Park. The distance is 2.1 kilometres. Proceeds go to the YMCA Okanagan Swims program. Registration is done.