Lollipop Meet celebrates swimming Saturday

LIHUE — The public is invited to witness the “graduation” celebration of the Mokihana Aquatics summer Learn to Swim program Saturday at the Kauai High School pool.

Mokihana Aquatics Coach Orlando “O” Anaya said they held a graduation last week when more than 80 swimmers were acknowledged and recognized for their achievements of being water safe.

The Lollipop Meet, also known as the Splash Bash, is a fun meet where there are no entry fees, a free lollipop to all entrants in each race, free shave ice, free popcorn and free Jumbo hot dogs for all.

With so many attractions, there is a limitation of no swimmer of any organized swim team being eligible for the swims.

“While our Mokihana Aquatics swimmers are ineligible to race in the Lollipop meet, their parents are able to race,” Anaya said. “Our swimmers and their parents are able to participate in the Big Splash and Belly Flop (shirts allowed) contests.”

Starting at 10 a.m. with registration, the event will feature 25-yard and 50-yard swims in the butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle, Mokihana Aquatics swimmers demonstrating each stroke before the Lollipop swimmers take the water.

Age groups include 6 and under, 7-8 years, 9-10 years, 11-12 years, 13-18 years, and 19 and over.

The events, designed to give new swimmers a taste of swim club swimming, will also be punctuated by special events including the Biggest Splash contest, the Belly Flop contest and a Parents Sprint event.

Anaya said he also welcomes volunteers to help the parent volunteers for this annual event. Duties include being timers, helping cook the free hot dogs and other activities involved in a swim meet.

Volunteers should be at the Kauai High School pool by 10 a.m.

Visit www.mokihanaaquatics.com or call 821-0587 for more information.

• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.