WHIDBEY
SPORTS
EVENT OF THE WEEK
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The Whidbey Adventure Swim launches from Seawall Park in Langley at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014 • Whidbey News-Times
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Whidbey Adventure Swim changing course for 2014 By BEN WATANABE Staff reporter
A tide change has hit the Whidbey Adventure Swim this year, its fourth as an open-water race. Run by the South Whidbey Island Masters, a group of swimmers dedicated to the open water, the race is based at Seawall Park in Langley. The course, completed in
Whidbey Adventure Swim The fourth annual Whidbey Adventure Swim begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2. Check-in is at 7:30 a.m. at Seawall Park in Langley. Swimmers have a choice between the 1.2-mile and 2.4-mile courses. Registration costs $45 until July 31, and includes the official race cap. Proceeds from the race go toward the South Whidbey Parks and Aquatics Foundation, a nonprofit that helps South Whidbey participate in parks programs. For more information about the event and to register, go to http:// ow.swhidbey.org/whidbeyadventure-swim Volunteers are needed. Those interested should contact race director Emily Weinheimer at info@swhidbey.org
Photo by Ben Watanabe/South Whidbey Record
Jeff Jacobsen, in white cap, competes in a past open-water race. The South Whidbey Island Masters swimmer will take part in the Whidbey Adventure Swim. either four laps or eight ---- 1.2 miles or 2.4 miles ---- is new this year. It was designed to stay closer to shallow water, allowing racers to see the seafloor as they splash past one another in a triangle. “If somebody needs to stop, they can stand,” said race director Emily Weinheimer, adding that at its most shallow, the water will be about 4
feet deep. Only 50 people can sign up for the swim, which has had the course record set each year. The participant limitation was necessary to keep the open water just that ---- open. Unless a swimmer signs a waiver saying he or she is capable of taking on the frigid water of Saratoga Passage with just skin, they
are required to wear a wetsuit. In addition to needing a U.S. Masters Swimming membership or one-day permit, racers will need a steely calm as tranquil as the water’s surface. Racing in open water is different from pool races in one major way. There are no lanes, so everybody thrashes
and kicks and reaches into the same area at the start. It’s also different because without lanes, the swimmers’ trajectory is far from an efficient straight line. They bow out and in from buoy to buoy. “It takes some getting used to,” said Jeff Jacobsen, a member of South Whidbey Island Masters, who will race in the Adventure Swim.
Each year, a course record has been set. The current best times are 27:58 and 29:50 for the men’s and women’s 1.2-mile course and 51:40 and 1:00:12 in the 2.4-mile race. A high tide of about 8.2 feet is predicted by 10 a.m. the day of the race.
SPORTS IN BRIEF Little League begins fall ball registration Registration is under way for North Whidbey Little League fall ball. Registration forms are available at Big 5 and from the league website, northwhidbeylittleleague.org The league is open to baseball players 6 to 14 and will be divided into three divisions. Softball, for players 7 to 16, will have two divisions. The cost is $60. Teams will be formed Aug. 16. Games begin in September and end in late October.
North Whidbey club holds swim tryouts The North Whidbey Aquatic
Club is a competitive swimming program of the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District for ages from 6 through college. NWAC’s mission is to foster the development of Whidbey Island youth as competitive swimmers and well-adjusted individuals. Tryouts are by appointment, and the first two weeks are free. Call head coach Bill Patterson at 360-675-7665 for more information.
John Vanderzicht pool offers swim lessons John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool hosts swim lessons for all ability levels of children, teens and adults. Group lessons are $40 per person for eight half-hour sessions; private lessons are $85 for a total of four hours of instruction by ap-
pointment. Call Aquatic Director Erika Miller at 360-675-7665 for more information.
Race the Reserve set for 3rd annual event The third annual Race the Reserve returns to Ebey’s Prairie Aug. 9. The event, which is the primary fundraiser for the Coupeville parents of the class of 2015, includes a half marathon, 10K and 5K fitness run/walk. The half marathon begins at 8:30 a.m. and the other races at 9 a.m. The cost is $50 for the half marathon, $35 for the 10K and $25 for the 5K. For more information or to register, visit https://sites.google.com/
site/racethereservewhidbeyisland/
CWSA schedules youth firearm safety class The Central Whidbey Sportsmen’s Association is offering a free safety class for youth Saturday, Aug. 30. The class begins at 9 a.m. at the CWSA Clubhouse on Safari Lane just south of Coupeville and will last into the afternoon; it is suggested participants bring a lunch. The course will cover safety and a broad range of firearms, including revolvers, semi-automatic pistols, shotguns and rifles. Participants may bring any unloaded firearm that they would like to shoot; some firearms will be available for those who do not own one. The class is designed for ages
9-13, and each youth must be accompanied by an adult who remains throughout the class. For more information, call Errol Ortego at 360-929-8918 or Robert Clark at 360-929-2167.
Running Unlimited accepts new members Running Unlimited Fitness always welcomes new members ages 5 and up. Prospective members are given two free practices to see if the club is for them. The fees are $14, $20 and $28 per month, or participants can use a $30 punchcard good for 10 visits. For more information, visit www.rufit.ws or call coach Catie Rodeheffer at 360-279-2196.