The North Bay Titans have been stuck on dry land since early March because of COVID-19, but that doesn't mean they're not training for when the pool reopens.
The local swim club was on pace for having one it's best seasons in the last decade before the pandemic hit.
Membership doubled to 75-plus swimmers and the team narrowly placed third at Regionals, after placing sixth last year.
"We also had seven qualifiers to provincials, up one year-over-year, and I feel the team was having more fun and training harder than ever before," said Titans coach John Mcleod who is finishing up his first season with the Titans.
He says after a few weeks of uncertainty and sifting through all the new information, the swim club decided to carry on with the season in a unique way.
"On top of six live video workouts that are strength and mobility based there are weekly check-in's with the athletes too," he said.
Mcleod says two national-level athletes have been interviewed with plans to add more.
The team has also routinely done a Friday night activity, like trivia night or paint night, with plans to change it up.
"Although we aren't in the pool, swimmers can still train and thrive," he said.
"It takes a lot of discipline to train eight times a week, so many of our athletes are fitting into this new routine quite seamlessly," said Mcleod.
The Titans are also still planning to have some kind of a year-end banquet.
"Depending on public health rules we will try to have something," he said.
"But we are also looking forward to a summer of swimming in the lakes, running on the trails and just enjoying our time on the land because inevitably we will be back in the pool soon."
