Editor:
After 10 years of competitive swimming, many tough practices and close races, I think back and realize I didn’t enjoy swimming just for the swimming aspect, but also for the people I was able to meet throughout the years.
Many of these people helped and supported me in some way — whether they were a coach, parent, community member or a friend, they were there, even if I did not realize it at the time, to help with my technique, bottle drives and swim-a-thons.
Without their dedication and support, I probably would not be swimming today, so thank you to the coaches: Scott Flood, Jennifer LeBlanc, Nick Templman, Tony Theriault, Dusan Toth-Szabo, Bev VandenDungen and Melody Smythies (high school swimming).
A huge thank you to all the board members over the years for the Ladysmith-Chemainus and Nanaimo Riptides swim teams, and to all the sponsors who supported these two teams.
I especially want to thank my mom, who was my personal alarm clock for those early-morning practices, my taxi driver and greatest supporter.
Kara DeClark
Ladysmith