December 11, 2025, by Seward Folly Staff

While the wind howled outside and temperatures dropped low, warmth and excitement filled the Seward High School Pool as young athletes, parents, and coaches gathered for the Annual Tsunami Swim Club Candy Cane Swim Meet. This long-running December event is a classic in the local swim community, drawing support from not only club families but friends, relatives, and past swimmers, many of whom lent a hand behind the scenes. In fact, it took 35 volunteers to keep the day-long meet running smoothly.

Photos by Rhonda Bohart

This year, three visiting clubs, Kachemak Swim Club, Peninsula Piranhas Swim Team, and Soldotna Silver Salmon Swim Team, joined the event, sending more than 100 athletes to compete. Swimmers as young as six years old tackled 25-yard sprints, some making their racing debut, while veterans up to age 17 showed off their skills in longer events like the 200-yard medley. As always, heat winners claimed the coveted rubber duckies, a tradition that brings a smile every year. For the top finishers, 1st- through 6th-place ribbons were up for grabs.

Seward’s home team, the Tsunami Swim Club, rose to the occasion with 25 first-time swims and 79 new personal bests. As of now, 15 Tsunami swimmers have clinched spots in the Age Group Championships, coming up in Kodiak this February. For most kids, that meet isn’t just a chance at fast times or a fun trip to the island; it’s a key stepping-stone for growing both confidence and experience in the sport.

Congratulations go out to the Seward age group qualifiers: Adalie Anderson, Charlotte Dermish, Ava Sawyer, Milena Taylor, Finn Bird, Brandton Boulden, Jason Calenici, Noah LaRow, Everett Labenski, Landen Lane, Benson Matheson, Camden Phillips, Ellis Sawyer, Owen Smith, and Liam Stark.

Next up, the Seward Tsunami Swim Club will travel to Kenai on January 9, 2026, to compete in the Snowball Swim Meet, hosted by the Peninsula Piranhas Swim Club. Not long after, keep an eye out for swimmers around town as the team gears up for their annual SwimAThon on January 28, a major fundraising event that rallies community support and helps keep the program strong.

Photos by Rhonda Bohart

Tsunami Swim Club Results

Event 1: Girls 13 & Over 200 Yard Medley Relay
2nd – Seward Tsunami Swim Club-AK A: 2:19.95
Swimmers: Adelai Andersen (13), Ava Sawyer (14), Aubrey Wilder (16), Charlotte Dermish (12)

Event 5: Girls 10 & Under 200 Yard Medley Relay
2nd – Seward Tsunami Swim Club-AK A: 3:19.10
Mila Taylor (10), Adalie Anderson (10), Ruby Rydberg (10), Tazlina Seavey (9)

Event 6: Boys 10 & Under 200 Yard Medley Relay
1st – Seward Tsunami Swim Club-AK A: 3:22.40
Tell Madosik (10), Jason Calenici (10), Brandton Boulden (9), Cam Phillips (10)

Event 15: Girls 8 & Under 25 Yard Freestyle
2nd – Brooklynn Boulden (7): 29.39

Event 16: Boys 8 & Under 25 Yard Freestyle
2nd – Lemuel Velez (8): 30.85

Event 17: Girls 10 & Under 50 Yard Freestyle
1st – Ruby Rydberg (10): 36.73

Event 18: Boys 10 & Under 50 Yard Freestyle
1st – Everett Labenski (10): 35.55
2nd – Brandton Boulden (9): 37.80

Event 20: Boys 11-12 50 Yard Freestyle
1st – Benson Matheson (11): 32.65
2nd – Ellis Sawyer (11): 34.66

Event 21: Girls 50 Yard Freestyle
1st – Ava Sawyer (14): 27.72

Event 25: Girls 10 & Under 50 Yard Butterfly
1st – Ruby Rydberg (10): 48.24

Event 26: Boys 10 & Under 50 Yard Butterfly
1st – Brandton Boulden (9): 48.40

Event 35: Girls 10 & Under 100 Yard Freestyle
1st – Ruby Rydberg (10): 1:26.66

Event 38: Boys 11-12 100 Yard Freestyle
1st – Benson Matheson (11): 1:15.98
2nd – Landen Lane (11): 1:17.38

Event 39: Girls 100 Yard Freestyle
2nd – Ava Sawyer (14): 1:05.28

Event 41: Girls 8 & Under 100 Yard Freestyle Relay
1st – Seward Tsunami Swim Club-AK A: 2:38.07
Swimmers: Jojo Phillips (6), Calista Craytor (6), Penelope Gerlach (7), Brooklynn Boulden (7)

Event 50: Boys 10 & Under 50 Yard Backstroke
1st – Everett Labenski (10): 41.60