Brainsport Times May 17, 2017

Brainsport has announced a new fun run is coming to the city this summer! The Mimosa Run will be held on June 11 in support of the Lasers Swim Club Para Swim Program.

This event means a great deal to Brainsport's founder/owner Brian Michasiw, who's daughter Harriet has a rare genetic condition called Congenital Hyperinsulinism. Damage done to Harriet's nervous system as a result of the condition means she does a physical activity a bit differently than other children - which makes her a great fit for the Lasers Swim Club Para Swim Program.

Having witnessed the positive impact the program has had on his daughter and other children, Brian felt it was a great idea to get involved in supporting the program with a fun run.

In this week's Q&A we're speaking with Laurel Scherr and Rochelle Anthony who started the Lasers Swim Club Para Swim Program four years ago; and who are now also co-directors of the Mimosa Run!

Q&A with Laurel Scherr and Rochelle Anthony

Tara: First off, for those unfamiliar with the Lasers Para Swim Program, would you describe what it is, and how it came to fruition?

Laurel: The Saskatoon Lasers Para Swim Program is the only swim program in Saskatoon which enables children and young adults with physical disabilities to learn to swim. In the past, children with disabilities such as spina bifida or cerebral palsy were either unable to participate in regular lessons or couldn't keep up and, and therefore, were not successful.  

Rochelle: Once the need was identified for such a program, some determined mothers made it happen!  We started out with six or seven participants and in our fourth year, we currently have 16 swimmers - clearly a necessary program.

Tara: How does a program such as this benefits children such as Harriet? 

Laurel: In the Para Swim Program, swimming skills are adapted to meet the individual needs of each swimmer.  Most swimmers work one on one (or two) with an instructor/volunteer. This not only is important for safety reasons, but helps the swimmers to feel more comfortable and, therefore, confident in the water. This confidence often carries over into other aspects of their lives.

Rochelle: Yes, it really does. Children with physical disabilities often have limited activities that they are able to participate in. Swimming allows them, particularly those with paralysis, independence in the water and to be physically active. Staying active also prevents many secondary health conditions.


Saskatoon's running and swimming communities are coming together in support of the Lasers Swim Club Para Swim Program with a fun run for the entire family on June 11.  

Tara: What brought on the idea of doing a run in support of the program? And, how do you see the Mimosa Run as being a good fit in terms of bringing in support for the program? 

Rochelle: We have done the typical steak night, burger night and barbecue as well as other more common fundraisers. We were looking for something unique, fun and hoping to expand past the people who always support our fundraisers. Fundraising is essential in keeping this program affordable for the participants. Most of the swimmers require individual swimming instruction due to their physical needs, it is a costly program to operate but has been highly successful. Our goal is to keep fees comparable to what 'typical' children pay for their swimming lessons in other programs.

Laurel: Reaching out to the running community made a lot of sense to us because people who run believe activity is important, and we believe it is important for everyone to be offered opportunities to be active. That alone makes this a perfect fit!

Tara: What are your hopes for the first year of this fun run? 

Rochelle: Our hope is that not only with the fun run raising awareness among the "able bodied" community, it will also help raise funds to keep our program affordable. This program is expensive to operate given the low instructor to swimmer ratio. Our aim is to keep the fees affordable for parents.

Laurel: We also hope that the Mimosa Run is a great time for everyone attending!

Tara: You have a group of very talented people committed to this program. Would you tell us some more about these people you're proud to have on board?

Laurel: The Lasers Swim club, and notably the head coach, Eric Kramer, has been extremely supportive of our program. Eric has vast experience in coaching para-swimmers. The Lasers own para-swimmer Shelby Newkirk has been selected for the World Championship Para Team to compete at for the 2017 IPC Swimming World Championships in Mexico City. Shelby along with a number of other Lasers Swimmer regular volunteer with the para-swim program, and she is such an inspiration.  We also have three instructors that have been with our program since it began, and they have truly enhanced the experience for the participants.


UPCOMING EVENTS

Brainsport Mimosa Run



On June 11 join Brainsport and the Lasers Swim Club for a 5K fun run in support of the Lasers Para Swim Program, which helps athletes with physical disabilities learn to swim and compete. Your entry will include a scenic fun run; a beautiful souvenir tank; sophisticated post-run snacks, and a mimosa! For more information about the run and to register click here. 

Saskatchewan Marathon 



The 2017 Saskatchewan Marathon event is being held on the weekend of May 28, with race distance options for all levels of runners. This premier event, put on by the SRRA, is known as one of the provinces best racing events of the year!

Jason Warick and Tarrant Cross Child will be this year's speakers at the Saskatchewan Marathon Pasta Dinner. Journey with Tarrant and his coach, Jason, through the lows and highs of their running careers, from the red dirt trails of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley to the ice-  covered roads of northern Saskatchewan. Along the way, they found meaning in their running. For more information and to register click here.

Huskies Track and Field & Cross-Country Community Forum Meeting



Everyone is welcome to attend this open session aimed at informing people about the Huskies' program and the vision for it. Local cross-country and track & field teams, along with all members of the community will have an opportunity to learn more about the program, take part in a Q&A and hear from the Huskies' new coach!  

EY River Run Classic



The EY River Run Classic, organized by the Saskatoon Road Runners Association, is being held in Saskatoon on Sunday, July 9. The event consists of a 5K, 10K, and half marathon, with the 10K race being part of the Saskatchewan Athletics Road Race Series. It is a great route along the South Saskatchewan River. For those of you who will not be entering the race, please consider volunteering (volunteers can contact Nancy Milhousen This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). For more information go to https://www.eyriverrun.com/.

Beads of Courage Colour Fun Run

This is a fun family run with 100% of proceeds going to Beads of Courage programming and helps support sick kids in Saskatchewan. Register you and your family today; kids 10 and under are free. Don't delay, this event sells out! To register go to www.colourrunsask.ca.

Canada Goose 150 Race

This one-time only, no-pressure distance running event is being held on June 24 and 25 in Wascana Park in celebration of Canada's 150th birthday. There's something for everyone at this fun-inspired event. Choose from 150-minute run to a 150K run, with plenty of other options in between. For more information click here.

Canada 150 Ultramarathon 

Celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary by taking on this unique ultra marathon traversing the Canadian Shield. The event will be held on July 1 at Falcon Lake, Manitoba (race starts at Great Falls). Run the 150 solo, or get a team together to participate in the relay! For more information go to http://canada150ultra.com/registration/,

Breath Move Be Yoga - Six More weeks!

Breath Move Be is offering runner specific yoga at Namaskar Yoga Studio (615 2nd Avenue North. Cost is $72 if pre-registered. There will also be a $17 drop-in option if there's room in the class. Pre-register by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or text Leanne at 306-251-2964.


Product of the Week

Ciele Running Hats



Designed in Montreal by runners, for runners, these unique and stylish hats are guaranteed to last more than a million miles! Ciele caps are lightweight, breathable, crushable, packable and will keep you protected from the sun, rain, and even your own sweat with their moisture wicking, UPF protective fabric. Come check out the latest styles and colours! 

Thanks for reading the Times this week .  gotta run . .Tara