To celebrate her 80th birthday, Conny Stamhuis decided she should, in her words, 91裸聊视频渄o something crazy.91裸聊视频�

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 Swim91裸聊视频攁 distance of 2.1 kilometres91裸聊视频攊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 Conny91裸聊视频檚 swan song at the

Then again, she says, maybe not.

91裸聊视频淚 say that, but now I91裸聊视频檓 not so sure,91裸聊视频� Stamhuis said, following the 70th anniversary swim. 91裸聊视频淚 would like my grandson (John Stamhuis) to do it with me next year. I don91裸聊视频檛 know if he will, but we will see. Maybe I will do it again.91裸聊视频�

When it comes to swimming, there is little, it seems, Stamhuis can91裸聊视频檛 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 91裸聊视频渓ife happened91裸聊视频� and family, life and her career as a nurse took precedence over swimming.

Then at 65, at the urging of her son Mike Stamhuis91裸聊视频攁 champion swimmer himself91裸聊视频擟onny climbed back into the pool.

It didn91裸聊视频檛 take long for her natural talent and love for the sport to rise to the surface.

91裸聊视频淲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,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淢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.91裸聊视频�

It wasn91裸聊视频檛 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.

91裸聊视频淪he knows no limits, she exercises, stays in shape, it91裸聊视频檚 like she believes she91裸聊视频檚 still 20,91裸聊视频� said Hobbs. 91裸聊视频淐onny is really the heart of masters swimming.

91裸聊视频淪he91裸聊视频檚 very encouraging and inspiring to swimmers of all ages and abilities,91裸聊视频� Hobbs continued. 91裸聊视频淪he91裸聊视频檒l see recreational swimmers who are in their 60s, and tell them 91裸聊视频業 did it, I was able to do this and I took 40 years off from swimming.91裸聊视频� People really are inspired.91裸聊视频�

Stamhuis91裸聊视频檚 impact on Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 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.

91裸聊视频淲hen people saw me, it was always, 91裸聊视频極h, that is Michael91裸聊视频檚 mom, that is Michael91裸聊视频檚 mom,91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淲hen I got my award in the Hall of Fame, I told him 91裸聊视频楳ichael, from now on you91裸聊视频檙e Conny91裸聊视频檚 son,91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� she added with a laugh.

91裸聊视频淏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.91裸聊视频�

As for what swimming has meant to Stamhuis throughout much of her life, it91裸聊视频檚 about so much more than simply climbing into a pool.

91裸聊视频淭o me it means I can do this until the end of my life,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淎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, I91裸聊视频檓 in an atmosphere that is so upbeat, it keeps me going and I wouldn91裸聊视频檛 want to quit.

91裸聊视频淚 want other people to see it is possible,91裸聊视频� she added,91裸聊视频� you don91裸聊视频檛 have to sit on the couch. You can do it.91裸聊视频�

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