Wendy and Narda swam the Elma Couture Open Water Swim in the Welland Canal, August 9, 2015. It is an annual event held at the Flatwater Centre on the Welland Canal, an ideal swimming venue for open water swims. It features lanes for the boating events that are 1 km long and is quite narrow in width so even with wind there is not much wave. The event features 1k, 3k, 5k, and 10k swim races. There is a winner for each of the races (3k, 5k and 10k only) for the first person to cross the finish line. Medals are also awarded to swimmers for Gold, Silver and Bronze by age group. There were around 80 swimmers there in total. Narda and Wendy swam the 3k race, along with about 50 other swimmers.

The race was held on a Sunday and it was a picture perfect day! The sun was shining and there was very little wind. Narda’s time was approx. 58 mins. for the 35 to 39 age group and Wendy's was approx. 1 hour and 10 mins. for the 55-59 age group. Narda won gold and Wendy won bronze!!

Ethel has swum all of the races in the past, the 1k, 3k, 5k and 10K! This year she was there as one of the race officials – monitoring turns. A profile of Ethel will be featured soon.

Wendy says The Elma Couture is a great event and she would encourage other club members to do it next year.