LAKEPORT — The Lake County Channel Cats swim team has returned to its home at Clear Lake High School”s Westshore Pool. The team, made up of 100 youth swimmers ranging from preschool-aged learners or “Junior Channel Cats” through copper, bronze, silver and gold levels, works out four days a week. Seven parent swimmers are also considered members of the team.
Head coach Sarah Suen-ram, a former Channel Cat and Chico State University swimmer, has closed the team for the year, as all lanes are more than full with as many as five swimmers per lane at daily practice.
Also coaching is Kerry Braider, another former Channel Cat and parent who coaches the junior and copper level learning swimmers. Assisting coach Sarah Suenram is her sister, Becky Suenram.
The team has practiced at a private facility for the last two years while the pool underwent renovation to fix the floor and walls. The project was conducted through the cooperation of the City of Lakeport, Lakeport Unified School District and the Channel Cats swim team.
The first meet of the 2007 season will be in Ukiah July 7-8. As soon as pool upgrades are complete, according to Channel Cats treasurer and board member Jennifer Hanson, “we hope to host a meet of our own.”
Hanson, whose two daughters are on the copper and silver teams, said she is optimistic about the team”s competitive prospects because of the enthusiasm the kids are showing for the improved facility. Also, the team was set back financially a few years ago when its major source of income, the fireworks booth, had to be moved from its lucrative location at Bruno”s Foods to Nylanders Market.
This year, the swim team booth will be located at Napa Auto Parts.
Hanson said 60 percent of the team”s income is derived from registration fees, which amount to about $250 per swimmer. The remaining 40 percent comes from the fireworks booth, donations and the annual swim-a-lot.
On the swim team this year are 62 swimmers from Lakeport, 33 from Kelseyville, three each from Upper Lake, and Witter Springs, and two each from Middletown, Cobb and Lucerne.
The swim season is normally the three summer months.
For more information about Lake County Channel Cats, contact Jennifer Hanson at jhanson70@mchsi.com
