There is no offseason for the first time at the Sedona Community Pool.

Through an arrangement with the city, Sedona Swordfish such as 12-year-old Fall League finalists Andrew Tate and Emma Warner are joining U.S. Masters swimmers like Sedona Chamber of Commerce public relations manager Kegn Hall in keeping the pool open through the winter, seven days a week.

“We are trying to encourage everyone to come out and swim and be polar bears,” said A. Jay Bronson, Swordfish head coach. “Sadly, due to insurance reasons, it is only open to Sedona Swordfish swimmers and Masters.”

Over 25 swimmers, with what Bronson hopes will be 10 to 15 more, are currently practicing their strokes from 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 8 to 11 a.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays up to the beginning of the spring season.

“So we have six Masters practices a week and seven Swordfish practices,” said Masters coach John Beck, whose 11-year-old son, Aiden, swam a personal best time with a 50-yard butterfly relay team and also swam the 200-yard freestyle 4/10ths of a second under three minutes to place eighth for the Swordfish at the Fall League championships Nov. 15 at Phoenix Country Day School. “It gives people the opportunity to continue their training they started through the summer, obviously. For folks who are just doing it for fitness, that’s really important.”

For the full story, please see the Friday, Nov. 21, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.