Coronach -
Whimpering and pleading filled the air at the Coronach Swimming Pool as the last set of swimming lessons got underway on August 17, with 15 students registered. The swimming students were whimpering; the parents were pleading!
With temperatures dipping to +8 overnight; the water in the pool was pretty chilly and the cloudy skies and bitter wind didn't help matters!
Andy Giraudier, who reports to daily to Environment Canada, reported the temperature at +11.5° at 9 a.m. with a winds gusting from 30 to 50 km/hr; not exactly balmy weather for swimming.
The first set of swimmers got going at 8:30 for Rookie and Ranger with the two girls putting in their time in the 21° waters.
Lifeguard Jase Wrolson talked about the chilly waters. "Something's wrong with the drain and (the water level) goes down 2-3 inches every night and then we have to fill it with ice cold water. . . and the cold weather doesn't help." The boilers were repaired at the pool in time for opening day this year and they do use the tarps most nights to keep the warmth in, but it isn't quite enough on some days.
Nicholas Kessler and Kyan Dionne were scheduled for Swimmer 1 at 9 a.m. Neither were too interested in getting into the pool. Nicholas's older brother Lucas dove in to show him the way; and Kyan's Mom, Heather and brother, Owen put their feet in, but Lucas and Kyan were not to be swayed. Kyan repeatedly pleaded with Heather to make the wind stop! In the end, the two boys threw in the towel in favour of trying again later, at their afternoon lesson. They hoped the weather would improve
Although the skies cleared and the sun shone brightly, the mercury rose slow over the day.
Swimmers continued to come to the pool for their lessons. At 11:00 a.m. with the air temperatures warming slightly, Ariana and Jonah Schnell were anxious to go. "Let's go Jase," coaxed 9-year-old Ariana to her swimming teacher.
Her enthusiasm faded quickly when she dipped her toe in the pool. Brother, Jonah took the plunge, and came up sputtering, "I can't; I can't do it!"
Ariana soon followed her younger brother into the pool and when she hit the water she said, "Oh my, it's cold, it's cold! Swimming lessons are done!! Yeah, I think I am done here!"
The Schnells, having the worst part over with - getting in - continued on with their lesson and would return for their afternoon session.
Air temperatures warmed up to 21° by afternoon but the water remained cold. Lucas Kessler, back in the water for his afternoon lesson, said, "Brrrr.." When asked if the water was warmer than his morning dip, he said, "Not much...a little bit."
In spite of the cold water, Lessons contined, with shivering kids jumping in and out of the pool and practising their strokes.
