Swimming

Divisional championship races sanctioned by Swim BC were held at Penticton Community Centre Pool on Saturday (Feb. 26). (Logan Lockhart, Western News)

Penticton hosts 16 swim teams across B.C.’s Interior on Saturday

Swim BC brought its divisional championships to the Peach City this weekend (Feb. 25 to 27)

Divisional championship races sanctioned by Swim BC were held at Penticton Community Centre Pool on Saturday (Feb. 26). (Logan Lockhart, Western News)
As others don pink t-shirts for anti-bullying day (Feb. 23), swimmers across British Columbia – including White Rock Wave members Bill Blair, Debbie Dunn and Cindy Yoc – are wearing pink caps as part of an initiative set up by Swim BC. (Contributed photo)

Sea of pink at B.C. pool a tribute to kindness, compassion during anti-bullying week

Swim BC offered pink swim caps to teams across the province for annual initiative

As others don pink t-shirts for anti-bullying day (Feb. 23), swimmers across British Columbia – including White Rock Wave members Bill Blair, Debbie Dunn and Cindy Yoc – are wearing pink caps as part of an initiative set up by Swim BC. (Contributed photo)
Conceptual plans

New Vernon peanut spray park pool plans on tap

Recreation Services seeking public input on popular East Hill Lakeview Wading Pool

Conceptual plans
Bill Behse of the Canadian Red Cross checks the contents of an emergency shelter unit at the Regent Park Community Centre in Toronto, on Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The Canadian Red Cross announced earlier this month it was “winding down” its swimming and lifeguard lessons through 2022, marking the end of a program that taught water safety to millions of Canadians over a 75-year stretch. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Waves of nostalgia for Canadians taught to swim by Red Cross as program winds down

The transition marks the end of a program that taught water safety to millions of Canadians

Bill Behse of the Canadian Red Cross checks the contents of an emergency shelter unit at the Regent Park Community Centre in Toronto, on Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The Canadian Red Cross announced earlier this month it was “winding down” its swimming and lifeguard lessons through 2022, marking the end of a program that taught water safety to millions of Canadians over a 75-year stretch. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
The Canadian Red Cross announced earlier this month it was ‘winding down’ its swimming and lifeguard lessons through 2022, marking the end of a program that taught water safety to millions of Canadians over a 75-year stretch. (Photo by The Canadian Press)

Waves of nostalgia for Canadians taught to swim by Red Cross as program winds down

2022 will mark end of a program that taught water safety to millions of Canadians over 75 years

The Canadian Red Cross announced earlier this month it was ‘winding down’ its swimming and lifeguard lessons through 2022, marking the end of a program that taught water safety to millions of Canadians over a 75-year stretch. (Photo by The Canadian Press)
Bob Wilkins heads back to shore after an exhilarating splash in Shuswap Lake on New Year’s Day in Canoe. (Photo contributed)

Welcoming the New Year by taking a Polar Plunge into Shuswap Lake

A small group of individuals endures a fast dip in the frigid waters of Shuswap Lake on Jan. 1

Bob Wilkins heads back to shore after an exhilarating splash in Shuswap Lake on New Year’s Day in Canoe. (Photo contributed)
The Vernon Aquatic Centre will be closed for its annual three-week maintenance period from Aug. 26 to Sept. 16. (City of Vernon - photo)

Proof of vaccination now required at Vernon pool

New rules for 12 and up, public gym also closed

The Vernon Aquatic Centre will be closed for its annual three-week maintenance period from Aug. 26 to Sept. 16. (City of Vernon - photo)
The Polar Bear Dip, a New Year’s Day tradition in Summerland, will return for Jan. 1, 2022. The 2021 dip was cancelled because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press file photo)

Summerland Polar Bear Dip to return

Jan. 1 event at Sunoka Beach will welcome in the new year

The Polar Bear Dip, a New Year’s Day tradition in Summerland, will return for Jan. 1, 2022. The 2021 dip was cancelled because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press file photo)
Two moms and eight kids aged five to 15 took advantage of the record-setting temperature Wednesday, Dec. 1, to take a dip in Kal Lake. (Contributed)

Warm North Okanagan weather results in December lake dip

Two moms, eight kids use beauty day to go for brief swim and pier jump in Coldstream’s Kal Lake

Two moms and eight kids aged five to 15 took advantage of the record-setting temperature Wednesday, Dec. 1, to take a dip in Kal Lake. (Contributed)
Morning Star file photo The Vernon swimming pool will host free events Sunday and Monday.

COVID-19 vaccinations required for parents at Vernon pool

Additional revisions made to provincial health officer’s order on gatherings and events this week

Morning Star file photo The Vernon swimming pool will host free events Sunday and Monday.
Beachgoers relax in the sun at Kal Lake Beach in Coldstream on July 23, 2020. (Justin Ketterer - Contributed)

Safe to swim at Kal Beach in Coldstream

Latest Interior Health samples show acceptable bacteria counts

Beachgoers relax in the sun at Kal Lake Beach in Coldstream on July 23, 2020. (Justin Ketterer - Contributed)
Beach goers have been urged to refain from swimming at Kal Beach for two weeks. (Contributed)

Swimming still not recommended at popular North Okanagan beach

Algae bloom also causes cautionary drinking water notification

Beach goers have been urged to refain from swimming at Kal Beach for two weeks. (Contributed)
Kids take the plunge at Camp Qwanoes’ Aqua Park. (Photo submitted)

Several campers and staff test positive for COVID-19 at B.C. kids summer camp

Crofton’s Camp Qwanoes executive director hopeful a day camp can still proceed next week

Kids take the plunge at Camp Qwanoes’ Aqua Park. (Photo submitted)
The Rotary Pier at Kal Beach has been repaired following the 2017 floods that put it out of commission. (Tennille Litzenberger photo)

Swimming still not advised at North Okanagan’s Kal Beach

E.coli counts around dock higher than acceptable

The Rotary Pier at Kal Beach has been repaired following the 2017 floods that put it out of commission. (Tennille Litzenberger photo)
Penny Oleksiak of Canada holds up her bronze medal from the women’s 200-meter freestyle final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Matthias Schrader

Penny Oleksiak swims into Canada’s record books after earning sixth career medal

Her bronze is her sixth career medal, the most for any Canadian in the Summer Games

Penny Oleksiak of Canada holds up her bronze medal from the women’s 200-meter freestyle final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Matthias Schrader
Okanagan Indian Band kids recently enjoyed a fun, safe day on the lake thanks to the donation of lifejackets for the children. (Vernon Recreation Services photo)

Okanagan Indian Band kids buoyed by lifejacket donation

Vernon resident doubles donation to keep kids safe

Okanagan Indian Band kids recently enjoyed a fun, safe day on the lake thanks to the donation of lifejackets for the children. (Vernon Recreation Services photo)
Margaret Mac Neil, right, of Canada, is congratulated by Sarah Sjoestroem of Sweden103 after winning the final of the women’s 100-metre butterfly at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Mac Neil tops women’s 100 butterfly to win Canada’s 1st Olympic gold medal in Tokyo

Strong second length propels swimmer to victory

Margaret Mac Neil, right, of Canada, is congratulated by Sarah Sjoestroem of Sweden103 after winning the final of the women’s 100-metre butterfly at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Wood Lake is once again safe to swim in as of July 16 following an algal bloom discovered April 21 which produced toxins. (District of Lake Country photo)

Swimming advisory lifted on Okanagan’s Wood Lake

No signs of algae bloom or toxins in two consecutive weeks of testing

Wood Lake is once again safe to swim in as of July 16 following an algal bloom discovered April 21 which produced toxins. (District of Lake Country photo)
A water advisory has been posted for Okanagan Beach between the SS Sicamous and the Peach following a test conducted on June 29, 2021 that identified higher than normal levels of bacteria. (Jesse Day - Western News)

Excessive levels of E. coli at Penticton’s Okanagan Beach prompts warning

Five times the acceptable amount of E. coli was found in the water at Okanagan Beach

A water advisory has been posted for Okanagan Beach between the SS Sicamous and the Peach following a test conducted on June 29, 2021 that identified higher than normal levels of bacteria. (Jesse Day - Western News)
An algal bloom on Wood Lake, pictured here in late May 2021, has residents concerned for the body of water’s health. (Wendy Innes-Shaw)

Swimmers still urged to stay out of Wood Lake in Lake Country

Weekly samples show little to no toxins, but precautions still advised

An algal bloom on Wood Lake, pictured here in late May 2021, has residents concerned for the body of water’s health. (Wendy Innes-Shaw)
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