LAKE COUNTY – The Lake County Channel Cats Swim Team is now accepting new members.

Westshore Pool in Lakeport is now open four days per week for intermediate and advanced swim team members of all ages. Workouts are supervised by coach Joe Conger.

"This is the first time we’ve been able to offer winter swim," said Channel Cats President Jennifer Hanson. "The heater is now working, the covers we ordered have come in and the kids are really appreciative of the 80-degree water."

Twenty-two swimmers are currently enrolled and preparing for the first winter meet coming up in November.

The team can accommodate 40 swimmers for the winter season, which will expand to 100 swimmers for the summer season beginning next June.

Winter swimmers will be guaranteed placement on the summer team. "Last year we had a waiting list and we deeply regret having to turn away swimmers," Hanson said.

Winter swim fees for two-day-per-week swimmers are $60 per month. For four-day-per-week swimmers, fees are $110 per month. Discounts are applied for additional swimmers in the same family.

Fees help pay the City of Lakeport for rent of the pool and also offset the cost of propane for heating the water.

The Channel Cats is a nonprofit organization.

For more information about Channel Cats Swim Team fees, workout schedules and scholarships, or to make a tax-deductible donation, contact Jennifer Hanson at 263-3131.

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