Kevin Rothbauer Citizen
École Cobble Hill captured the award for top school and the Sidney Piranhas finished as the top team as the Cowichan Valley Breakers introduced two new awards at their third annual Splash ’n’ Dash Aquathon on April 17.
Athletes from throughout the Cowichan Valley and the rest of Vancouver Island took part in the event, with a swim in the Cowichan Aquatic Centre pool and a run on the track at Cowichan Secondary.
“We put a lot of planning and safety into this event, and it is our way of community building and introducing competition to young [athletes], not only from Cowichan, but from nearly half of Vancouver Island.” Breakers co-president Wade Smith said.
This year’s Splash ’n’ Dash consisted of several different events: the Tiny Splash (25-metre swim and 250m run), the Short Splash (100m swim and 1km run), the Mini Splash (50m swim and 1km run), the Standard Splash (200m swim and 2km run), a relay event (500m swim and 2km run), and the Crash ‘n’ Splash (50m swim and 2km run).
“The Tiny Splashers started off the day right by tearing up the course and finishing strong, despite some initial butterflies and the odd trip on the run,” Smith said. “The grand finale, while crossing under the Ceevacs’ finishers archway, produced huge smiles and confidence building pride for all the participants, volunteers and spectators. There were many teary eyes amongst parents as they watched their children take that next big step, or reach that next big goal.”
Winners of the Tiny Splash were Torsten Hopkins and Aevin Myette, the Short Splash was won by Tessa Hunter-Siebert and Marcus Hogan, Yukari Stevenson and Robert Argo won the Mini Splash, Team Leblanc won the relay, and the top spots in the Standard went to Aniela Hagen and Cam Laturnus.
A group of volunteers, including announcer Roy Davies, ensured the event ran smoothly. Sponsors for the event included Menchie’s of Duncan, 49th Parallel Grocery, Event Medical Solutions, Ceevacs Roadrunners, Triathlon BC, Cowichan Aquatic Centre, Cowichan Secondary, Boston Pizza, and North Cowichan.