Para swimming community gathering to raise funds for athlete programs

Person swimming at the Steadward Bears' annual "Going the Distance" fundraiser on April 22, 2023. (CTV News Edmonton)

Swimmers are getting ready to make a splash for a good cause at the annual Going the Distance fundraiser.

The swim-a-thon is raising money for the Steadward Bears Para Swimming program.

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The funds go toward keeping program costs low to reduce financial barriers for people looking to access para sport.

“Para swimming is a really important activity for people with disabilities. From a physical standpoint, there’s the benefits of regular physical activity, it’s a chance for your body to move freely in the water,” said Jennifer Leo, the director of the Steadward Centre.

“Another thing that we hear from our athletes all the time is the community connection, for many of our athletes, it’s a chance to come and spend time with people who share similar lived experience.”

The Steadward Centre serves athletes as young as seven to those over 50. There are three groups in the program, a learn to swim group, a development group and a competitive group.

“We’ve had athletes competing at the Canada Summer Games, we have a group that competes at provincials, and we’ve had some connections with athletes that are headed to nationals and beyond,” Leo said.

There is a lot of interest in the sport, with the centre receiving almost daily inquiries, and it has plenty of room to grow in Edmonton, added Leo.

The event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at the West Pool at the University of Alberta on Thursday.

Attendees will have a chance to see and speak to para athletes.

The fundraising goal for this year is $10,000.