To celebrate her 80th birthday, Conny Stamhuis decided she should, in her words, 害羞草研究所渄o something crazy.害羞草研究所�

Climbing into the waters of Okanagan Lake with more than 500 other hearty souls, she was among the oldest athletes to complete 2012 Across the Lake Swim害羞草研究所攁 distance of 2.1 kilometres害羞草研究所攊n just over 50 minutes.

Last Saturday in Kelowna, for the seventh straight year, Stamhuis took on the challenge and, primarily using the backstroke, successfully emerged from the water to the cheers and support of family and friends.

At 86, as the oldest of more than 1,300 swimmers, this was to be Conny害羞草研究所檚 swan song at the

Then again, she says, maybe not.

害羞草研究所淚 say that, but now I害羞草研究所檓 not so sure,害羞草研究所� Stamhuis said, following the 70th anniversary swim. 害羞草研究所淚 would like my grandson (John Stamhuis) to do it with me next year. I don害羞草研究所檛 know if he will, but we will see. Maybe I will do it again.害羞草研究所�

When it comes to swimming, there is little, it seems, Stamhuis can害羞草研究所檛 do.

An accomplished swimmer in the pool the last 20 years and a member of the Okanagan Masters Swim Club, she has won multiple awards at both national and international masters events. Last year, Stamhuis captured two gold and two silver medals in the 85 to 89 age group at the FINA World Masters Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Two years ago, she was inducted into the Central Okanagan Sports of Fame.

RELATED: Okanagan masters swimmers excel at worlds

All this despite barely swimming a stroke for 47 years. At 19, after moving from her native Netherlands to Canada, she said 害羞草研究所渓ife happened害羞草研究所� and family, life and her career as a nurse took precedence over swimming.

Then at 65, at the urging of her son Mike Stamhuis害羞草研究所攁 champion swimmer himself害羞草研究所擟onny climbed back into the pool.

It didn害羞草研究所檛 take long for her natural talent and love for the sport to rise to the surface.

害羞草研究所淲hen I started, I could barely make it from one end to the pool to the other, but I kept it up because I enjoyed it so much,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淢ike took me along to my first meet in Nanaimo when I was 66 and I promptly broke a record (in breaststroke). I enjoyed the swimmming so much and the people, I was hooked after that.害羞草研究所�

It wasn害羞草研究所檛 long after he moved to Kelowna in 2001 that Brent Hobbs became well acquainted with Conny and her passion for swimming.

Hobbs, a coach and accomplished swimmer who crossed the English Channel in 2008, said Stamhuis is a true inspiration, both as a swimmer and as a person.

害羞草研究所淪he knows no limits, she exercises, stays in shape, it害羞草研究所檚 like she believes she害羞草研究所檚 still 20,害羞草研究所� said Hobbs. 害羞草研究所淐onny is really the heart of masters swimming.

害羞草研究所淪he害羞草研究所檚 very encouraging and inspiring to swimmers of all ages and abilities,害羞草研究所� Hobbs continued. 害羞草研究所淪he害羞草研究所檒l see recreational swimmers who are in their 60s, and tell them 害羞草研究所業 did it, I was able to do this and I took 40 years off from swimming.害羞草研究所� People really are inspired.害羞草研究所�

Stamhuis害羞草研究所檚 impact on Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 swimming and sports communities was formally recognized in 2016 with her induction into the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame.

In addition to being humbled by the induction, Conny admitted the recognition has added fuel to a friendly family competition.

Her son, Michael, who has set 16 provincial and national records this year, has earned his share of accolades throughout the masters swimming community.

害羞草研究所淲hen people saw me, it was always, 害羞草研究所極h, that is Michael害羞草研究所檚 mom, that is Michael害羞草研究所檚 mom,害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟 she said. 害羞草研究所淲hen I got my award in the Hall of Fame, I told him 害羞草研究所楳ichael, from now on you害羞草研究所檙e Conny害羞草研究所檚 son,害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟 she added with a laugh.

害羞草研究所淏ut we have a lot of fun, Michael is so good to me. I am happy to have a terrific family, they do so much for me.害羞草研究所�

As for what swimming has meant to Stamhuis throughout much of her life, it害羞草研究所檚 about so much more than simply climbing into a pool.

害羞草研究所淭o me it means I can do this until the end of my life,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淎nd I will have a social life that goes with it because I love the people that do this, they have fun, they always have a smile on their face, I害羞草研究所檓 in an atmosphere that is so upbeat, it keeps me going and I wouldn害羞草研究所檛 want to quit.

害羞草研究所淚 want other people to see it is possible,害羞草研究所� she added,害羞草研究所� you don害羞草研究所檛 have to sit on the couch. You can do it.害羞草研究所�

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