KAILUA-KONA — The Kona Community Aquatic Center (KCAC) is a special place to many in the community. It’s a gathering site where everyone — regardless of swim level — can escape reality and cool off from the West Hawaii sun by participating in almost any aquatic activity imaginable. Some pool ventures include two age-group swim teams, Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) swimming, BIIF water polo, another recreational swim team, water aerobics, keiki swim lessons and more.
But one particular group has been training hard in the pool every Thursday afternoon since January in preparation for its regional meet on April 7 — the West Hawaii Sharks Special Olympics Swim Team. The Sharks will be competing against Pahoa, Honoka‘a and Hilo’s team on the east side of the island. The team will hope to qualify for the state meet in July on Oahu.
Christine O’Gorman-Embernate, a retired special education teacher in the Hawaii Department of Education, coaches and mentors the team in her free time. Anne Humphries also helps out as assistant coach.
“These are my people,” O’Gorman-Embernate told West Hawaii Today. “The rewards are intangible.”
The team consists of 10 swimmers aged 14 to around 40, rostering many athletes who have participated in other Special Olympics sports that have now transitioned to swimming. A popular example would be Isaiah Wong, who was a decorated powerlifter — winning gold medals in world events as far away as China. Now focused on swimming, Wong is looking to add to his medal collection after claiming silver in the 50-yard, 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle at states last summer.
“These athletes continue to inspire me daily by the way they are able to overcome so many challenges,” O’Gorman-Embernate said. “They give one-hundred percent of heart and soul.”
Giving all heart and soul to every practice would be a severe understatement for the Sharks. In a typical practice, the team dives right into the lanes after stretching and gets to work for the next few hours — sometimes swimming close to a full mile by doing every swim exercise under the sun. By practice’s end, the Sharks top everything off by swimming relays and diving for underwater objects before departing until the next week.
“It’s very fulfilling to watch them succeed each week,” O’Gorman-Embernate said.
However, O’Gorman-Embernate maintains that the Sharks’ success would not be possible without the flexibility and kindness of KCAC’s pool manager — Derek Simmons. With the pool being home to many different clubs and activities, finding times to reserve lanes can be a challenge, especially with the site closing as early as 3:30 p.m.
But Simmons has made it possible for the Sharks to practice weekly by giving the team three lanes every practice, even when the pool is closed to the public. Simmons stays at the pool during after-hours to support the Sharks and to ensure their practices run smoothly.
“Their drive and determination really impresses me,” Simmons said.
“We’re very grateful for him, he’s awesome,” O’Gorman-Embernate said of Simmons. “Our swimmers love him — he’ll come over and give high-fives, fist bumps, hugs and clap while they swim.
“He’s bent over backwards for us and we’re very appreciative. He doesn’t have to give us lanes, but he still does, and even offers us additional hours if we ever need them. We are so very grateful for all his kokua, given his extremely difficult position of juggling so many other activities.”
With the team’s determination, O’Gorman-Embernate’s leadership and Simmons’ grace, the Sharks are primed for another successful season in the pool — giving the entire community something extraordinary to root for.
