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POOCH PENTATHLON
YMCA event draws participants with four legs and a tail
Proceeds from this year’s event benefit the Partner of Youth Scholarship Fund.
Blue skies and warm weather drew swimmers to the Davis Family YMCA’s latest event in Boardman. But these swimmers had four legs and a tail.
Area residents showed up Sunday with their dogs — large and small, trained and not-so-trained — for the Y’s fourth annual Pooch Pentathlon.
“We do it for fun,” said Chris Hughes, coordinator. “We do it so the dogs have an opportunity to go swimming.”
Jennifer Eich of Poland brought her sheltie named Jack.
“We just thought it would be fun to do,” the 10-year-old said.
Dogs compete against other dogs of their own size. Jack competed in the medium category.
“We’re going to try [every event]. We’re not sure if he’s going to get in the water,” Jennifer said.
He plays fetch at home, she noted. And though he was reluctant, Jack got in the water.
Other dogs weren’t so hesitant. They strained at leashes and jumped after fetch items such as tennis balls as soon as they were given the command.
Rachelle Fair’s border collie, Sander, successfully completed the fetch event in the medium-size category.
“He was distracted at the beginning, but then he went and got the tennis ball and came back,” she said.
Fair, of Canfield, has participated in the pentathlon since its inception.
“I just like it because it’s different than everything else around here,” she said. “There’s nothing around here where you can go to a public pool and swim with your dog. Most people don’t let dogs in public pools. It’s just a lot different and very fun.”
She entered Sander in every event.
The dogs are divided into small, medium and large categories. They then compete against other dogs of their own size in five events.
The events include leap dog, which tests a dog ability to jump long distances, fetch, doggie paddle, treasure dive and an obstacle course.
Participants paid a $5 registration fee for the event. The proceeds from this year’s pentathlon benefit the Partner of Youth Scholarship Fund, Hughes said. The fund is the Y’s scholarship program for underprivileged youth and families in the community.
Hughes said she is unaware of any other event such as the Pooch Pentathlon in the area.
Though most pools don’t allow four-legged swimmers, Hughes said it’s not a big deal in this case.
“It’s the end of the season,” she said. “So before we swim next year, all the water will be drained and cleaned.”