KAPA‘A — “The dads were so good, they got two lollipops,” said Mokihana Aquatics coach Orlando “O” Anaya, Sunday. The dads were involved in a Dad’s Swim, an extra feature of the 2nd Annual Community Lollipop Swim Meet that wrapped
KAPA‘A — “The dads were so good, they got two lollipops,” said Mokihana Aquatics coach Orlando “O” Anaya, Sunday.
The dads were involved in a Dad’s Swim, an extra feature of the 2nd Annual Community Lollipop Swim Meet that wrapped up the Mokihana Aquatics summer swim program.
Working through the help of USA Swimming and the County of Kaua‘i Parks and Recreation, Aquatics Division, Mokihana Aquatics hosted swimmers and families of its summer swim program to two days of Lollipop swimming.
Saturday’s meet was held at the Waimea pool with the Sunday swim taking place at the Kapa‘a pool.
All swimmers received free USA Swimming stickers and tattoos as well as a hot dog lunch.
“I did not know that they make hot dogs that big,” Anaya said, referring to the dogs being served up by Sandy Ka‘auwai. “We have free stickers, tattoos, some towels, and yes, we have the lollipops.”
The summer program highlighted by the Lollipop Meet goes deeper than providing instruction to young swimmers.
Instead, it provides an opportunity for experienced Mokihana Aquatics swimmers to gain further insight into swimmers as Mokihana Aquatics swimmers, parents and program supporters become involved in the summer swim.
Nalani Brun, whose daughter Kama is one of the Mokihana swimmers, got in some practice overseeing the timers in preparation for her responsibility as the head timer during the Mokihana Aquatics Fun Meet scheduled in two weeks, Anaya said.
Kaitlin Jarry and Makana Waiamau, two Mokihana swimmers, served as Referee and Starter for the two-day Lollipop Meet.
Kayla Ishida, Kaleiui Hosaka, Ryan Valenciano, Gracie and Chloe Stokes, Waiamau and Kaitlin Santos were some of the Mokihana swimmers that served as summer swim league coaches, Anaya said in an e-mail.
This gives the swimmers an opportunity to share their expertise with swimmers with less experience. Under the format of the Lollipop Meet, the experienced swimmers had an opportunity to be on the pedestal as they participated in “exhibition swims” prior to the start of the events that included the 25 Yard Freestyle, 25 Yards Backstroke, 25 Yards Butterfly, 25 Yards Breaststroke, 50 Yards Freestyle, 50 Yards Backstroke, 50 Yards Butterfly, 50 Yards Breaststroke, and on Sunday, an optional 100 Yard Individual Medley where swimmers utilized all four strokes, one on each 25-yard leg.
With swimmers already back in school, or just about to return, the Lollipop Meet was a perfect way to end a Hawaiian summer with everyone being able to get something out of the event.
The Mokihana Aquatics Fun Meet will be held Aug. 15-16 at the Waimea Pool with warm-ups starting at 7:30 a.m., Saturday and 7 a.m., Sunday. The meet will start at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, and 9 a.m., Sunday.
