The Collingwood Clippers welcomed back swim teams from the area, after a three-year hiatus, for their 27th annual June Invitational this past weekend.
There were 316 swimmers between five and 18 years old, and ranging in abilities from pre-comeptitive to regional, provincial, and national level swimmers participating in the events at Centennial Aquatic Centre on June 25 and 26.
Clippers president Naomi Paterson said there were teams from Collingwood, Trent, Orillia, Hanover, Barrie, Owen Sound and Orangeville at the meet.
"The event is well-known as a fun season-end swim competition," said Paterson, noting it includes a cardboard boat race, lip sync contest, 50-metre butterfly eliminator race, lunchtime games and activities, and recognition for graduating swimmers.
Local food trucks kept the athletes and their families fed through the weekend.
"Even the lifeguards like to join in the fun and judge the lip sync contest," said Paterson. Collingwood took the victory for the lip sync contest this year, and Hanover won the cardboard boat race.
"The event this year was a huge success given that we were unable to host in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic," she said. "It is also the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Collingwood Clippers."
The swim club was grateful for the Town of Collingwood's support for the event, in particular the parks, recreation and culture department and the aquatics team.
The community pool at Centennial Aquatic Centre is now closed while crews work to install tile.
Registration for the next Clippers season starts Aug. 1 for returning members and Aug. 15 for new members. The season will begin in the early fall at the newly-tiled community pool at Centennial Aquatic Centre.
Enjoy these photos from the weekend event.
