Port Coquitlam swimmers can kick off — literally — the Valentine’s Day weekend with a healthy event in Port Coquitlam.
On Feb. 12, Hyde Creek rec centre hosts the city’s third annual Strokes for Heart Swim-a-thon with the aim of raising $10,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
People of all ages can sign up to swim for an hour between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. next Friday. Individuals and teams of four can sign up for $25 per person while school teams can participate for $2 per person.
Advance registration is required and time slots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, contact Delaney Kitching at 604-927-7955 or via email at [email protected]. Registrations will be accepted until Feb. 10. A registration form and event details are also posted at www.portcoquitlam.ca/swimathon.
At the event, 62-year-old PoCo resident Mike Symchych will attempt to swim the distance of a half marathon (21 km) — that’s 840 lengths between 7 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.
PoCo is supporting a number of other events in support of Heart Month and the Strokes for Heart Swim-a-thon, from by-donation public swimming, aquafit classes, and squash and racquetball court bookings at Hyde Creek to skating and fitness sessions at PoCo rec complex.
Individuals and businesses that want to support the cause but cannot participate in the swim-a-thon are invited to make a cash donation or donate items for a gift basket raffle. Donations can be dropped off at Hyde Creek rec centre; tax receipts are available for donations of $15 or more.
Over the last two years, the event raised $8,100 and over 400 people participated, including local schools, clubs and families.
For information about the Heart and Stroke Foundation, visit www.heartandstroke.ca.
