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Tag: SWIM

  • Charlotte Catholic, East Chapel Hill split top honors in 6A state swim finals

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    Charlotte Catholic’s swim team won the NCHSAA 6A state title on Friday, February 13, 2026.

    Charlotte Catholic’s swim team won the NCHSAA 6A state title on Friday, February 13, 2026.


    NCHSAA

    Charlotte Catholic and East Chapel Hill split the state championship honors on Friday in the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s Class 6A swimming and diving championships.

    The Charlotte Catholic girls beat East Chapel Hill 394-286 for the state title — the 19th in school history.

    But the Wildcats ran away with the 6A boys’ title, piling up a 506-271.5 margin over runner-up Charlotte Catholic.

    Earlier Friday at the Cary Aquatic Center, South Brunswick swept the boys’ and girls’ 5A swim and diving state titles.

    The NCHSAA championships conclude Saturday, with the 1A/2A/3A meet in the morning, followed by the Class 8A meet.

    Charlotte Catholic’s girls won six events, with Kathryn Kern (50-yard freestyle), Madi Hertzig (100 butterfly), C.J. Bernardo (100 freestyle) and Reagan Leckner (diving) joining the victorious 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay teams.

    While the Cougar girls have a long history of domination in the sport, this was the program’s first state championship in five years.

    East Chapel Hill’s boys snapped an even longer streak, winning a state title for the first time in 21 years. The Wildcats have nine boys’ state championships all-time.

    Colton Chaires of East Chapel Hill was named Outstanding Performer in the boys’ meet. He won the two most grueling events — the 200 individual medley and the 500 freestyle. Chaires also swam on two victorious relay teams.

    East Chapel Hill also had the Outstanding Performer in the girls’ meet, in Isabel Wolk. She won the 200 and 500 freestyle events.

    Class 6A meet

    BOYS

    TEAM STANDINGS

    1. East Chapel Hill 506; 2. Charlotte Catholic 271.5; 3. Northern Guilford 213.5; 4. T.C. Roberson 127; 5. Middle Creek 122.

    18. Central Cabarrus; 19. Berry Academy.

    EVENT WINNERS

    (with top-five finishers from Charlotte and Raleigh areas)

    200 Medley Relay

    1. East Chapel Hill (Chuanqi John Zhuang, Mike Wolk, Cody Shannon, Alex nelson), 1 minute, 33.14 seconds; 2. Charlotte Catholic; 4. Middle Creek.

    200 Freestyle

    1. Max Halpern (East Chapel Hill), 1:40.70; 2. Chuanxi William Zhuang (East Chapel Hill); 3. Julian Malecki (Charlotte Catholic).

    200 Individual Medley

    1. Colton Chaires (East Chapel Hill), 1:00.04; 2. Chuanqi John Zhuang (East Chapel Hill); 3. Scott Williams (Charlotte Catholic).

    50 Freestyle

    1. Logan Kelly (St. Stephens), 20.72; 2. Alex Nelson (East Chapel Hill); 3. Max Wolk (East Chapel Hill).

    100 Butterfly

    1. Alex Nelson (East Chapel Hill), 49.50; 4. Jake Dunaway (Middle Creek).

    500 Freestyle

    1. Colton Chaires (East Chapel Hill), 4:26.31; 3. Chuanxi William Zhuang (East Chapel Hill).

    100 Freestyle

    1. Logan Kelly (St. Stephens), 46.71; 2. Max Halpern (East Chapel Hill); 3. Jack Wellman (East Chapel Hill).

    200 Freestyle Relay

    1. East Chapel Hill (Max Halpern, Colton Chaires, Alex Nelson, Max Wolk), 1:24.15.

    100 Backstroke

    1. Chuanqi John Zhuang (East Chapel Hill), 49.79; 4. Gavin Phillips (Middle Creek); 5. Julian Malecki (Charlotte Catholic).

    100 Breaststroke

    1. Oliver Marrujo (Felton Grove), 56.94; 4. Scott Williams (Charlotte Catholic); 5. Max Wolk (East Chapel Hill).

    400 Freestyle Relay

    1. East Chapel Hill (Chuanqui John Chang, Chuanxi William Chang, Colton Chaires, Max Halpern), 3:07.25; 3. Charlotte Catholic; 4. Middle Creek.

    Diving

    1. Jacob Pollina (Northern Guilford), 527.60 points; 2. Macon Kramer (Charlotte Catholic); 3. Silas Theede (Middle Creek); 4. Graham Hagler (East Chapel Hill).

    GIRLS

    TEAM STANDINGS

    1. Charlotte Catholic 394; 2. East Chapel Hill 286; 3. Mount Tabor 264; 4. J.H. Rose 184; 5. Watauga 181.

    7. Middle Creek; 13. Central Cabarrus.

    EVENT WINNERS

    (with top-five finishers from Charlotte and Raleigh areas)

    200 Medley Relay

    1. J.H. Rose, 1:50.12; 4. Middle Creek.

    200 Freestyle

    1. Isabel Wolk (East Chapel Hill), 1:48; 2. Madi Hertzig (Charlotte Catholic); 3. Olivia Jacobsen (Charlotte Catholic); 4. Rosario Gutierrez (East Chapel Hill); 5. Shea Cleary (Charlotte Catholic).

    200 Individual Medley

    1. Peyton James (East Chapel Hill), 2:03.75; 2. Ellie Druhan (Charlotte Catholic).

    50 Freestyle

    1. Kathryn Kern (Charlotte Catholic), 23.57.

    100 Butterfly

    1. Madi Hertzig (Charlotte Catholic), 55.30; 3. Savannah Nelson (Middle Creek).

    500 Freestyle

    1. Isabel Wolk (East Chapel Hill), 4:54.58; 2. Olivia Jacobsen (Charlotte Catholic); 3. Shea Cleary (Charlotte Catholic); 4. Kallie Rendon (Middle Creek); 5. Caroline Meehan (Charlotte Catholic).

    100 Freestyle

    1. C.J. Bernardo (Charlotte Catholic), 51.66; 3. Rosario Gutierrez (East Chapel Hill).

    200 Freestyle Relay

    1. Charlotte Catholic (Kathryn Kern, Ella Druhan, Olivia Jacobsen, Madi Hertzig), 1:37.64; 2. East Chapel Hill.

    100 Backstroke

    1. Delaney Schwab (Asheville), 50.53; 2. Kallie Rendon (Middle Creek); 4. C.J. Bernardo (Charlotte Catholic); 5. Savannah Nelson (Middle Creek).

    100 Breaststroke

    1. Hadleigh Kulas (J.H. Rose), 1:01.36; 2. Peyton James (East Chapel Hill); 3. Ellie Druhan (Charlotte Catholic); 4. Kathryn Kern (Charlotte Catholic).

    400 Freestyle Relay

    1. Charlotte Catholic (C.J. Bernardo, Carolina Meehan, Olivia Jacobsen, Madi Hertzig), 3:31.46; 2. East Chapel Hill; 5. Middle Creek.

    Diving

    1. Reagan Leckner (Charlotte Catholic), 469.60; 2. Laila Kwong (East Chapel Hill).

    Class 5A meet

    Nine Charlotte-area swimmers and teams and two from the Raleigh area won events, but South Brunswick swept the team championships in the Class 5A meet.

    In the boys’ competition, South Brunswick scored 254 points, with Concord (202) and North Lincoln (178) right behind.

    The South Brunswick girls outdistanced runner-up Seaforth 232-170.

    Two Charlotte-area swimmers won Outstanding Performer awards.

    Concord’s Lily Herman won the 50 and 100 freestyle and was named girls’ Outstanding Performer.

    North Lincoln’s Jackson Kroh won the award for the boys, after winning the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke.

    CLASS 5A

    BOYS

    TEAM STANDINGS

    1. South Brunswick 254; 2. Concord 202; 3. North Lincoln 178; 4. Seaforth 154; 5. West Carteret 133.

    7. Jay M. Robinson; 8. Cedar Ridge; 9. Northwest Cabarrus; 12. Forestview; 18. Orange; 20. Durham School of Arts.

    EVENT WINNERS

    (with top-five finishers from Charlotte and Raleigh areas)

    200 Medley Relay

    1. North Lincoln (Jackson Kroh, Aiden Deluca, Trentyn Shanahan, Danny DePasquale), 1:39.68; 3. Concord; 5. Forestview.

    200 Freestyle

    1. Sam Johnson (West Carteret), 1:42.01; 4. Eddie Lawson (Concord); 5. J.E. Sandor (Cedar Ridge).

    200 Individual Medley

    1. Aiden Deluca (North Lincoln), 1:54.17; 5. Andrew Velazquez (Concord).

    50 Freestyle

    1. Vincent Battaglini (Durham School of Arts), 21.68; 3. Michael Spokas (Jay M. Robinson).

    100 Butterfly

    1. Jackson Kroh (North Lincoln), 48.70; 4. Andrew Willis (Concord).

    500 Freestyle

    1. Colton Roberts (Seaforth), 4:44.27; 3. J.E. Sandor (Cedar Ridge); 4. Jason Spey (Orange).

    100 Freestyle

    1. Vincent Battaglini (Durham School of Arts), 47.14; 3. Christopher Seawell (Cedar Ridge); 4. Eddie Lawson (Concord).

    200 Freestyle Relay

    1. South Brunswick, 1:29.98; 5. South Point.

    100 Backstroke

    1. Jackson Kroh (North Lincoln), 58.46; 4. Christopher Seawell (Cedar Ridge); 5. Andrew Velazquez (Concord).

    100 Breaststroke

    1. Aiden Deluca (North Lincoln), 58.84; 2. Michael Spokas (Jay M. Robinson); 5. Kirkland Niebor (Forestview).

    400 Freestyle Relay

    1. North Lincoln (Jackson Kroh, Trentlyn Shanahan, Danny DePasquale, Aiden Deluca), 3:22.58; 2. Concord; 4. Northwest Cabarrus.

    Diving

    1. Jonah Brant (Franklin), 295.50.

    GIRLS

    TEAM STANDINGS

    1. South Brunswick 232; 2. Atkins 170; 3. Seaforth 155; 4. Cedar Ridge 150; 5. Orange 129.

    6. Concord; 8. Jay M. Robinson; 9. South Point; 10. Durham School of Arts; 11. North Lincoln; 17. East Lincoln 18. Northwest Cabarrus.

    EVENT WINNERS

    (with top-five finishers from Charlotte and Raleigh areas)

    200 Medley Relay

    1. Jay M. Robinson (Peyton Letteck, Reagan Sherwood, Kara King, Callie Copeland), 1:57.39; 3. Concord; 5. Orange.

    200 Freestyle

    1. Peyton Stegman (South Brunswick), 1:55.59; 2. Piper White (Orange); 3. Caylee Hollar (North Lincoln); 4. Margaret Payton (Cedar Ridge).

    200 Individual Medley

    1. Sydney Burleigh (Seaforth), 2:05.74; 5. Jocelyn Ritchey (Durham School of Arts).

    50 Freestyle

    1. Lily Herman (Concord), 23.69; 2. Ila Turner (South Point); 3. Piper White (Orange); 4. Kara King (Jay M. Robinson); 5. Wren Brand (Cedar Ridge).

    100 Butterfly

    1. Sydney Burleigh (Seaforth), 56.15; 2. Wren Brand (Cedar Ridge); 3. Kara King (Jay M. Robinson).

    500 Freestyle

    1. Ella Lechene (Croatan), 5:18.56; 3. Mare Payton (Cedar Ridge).

    100 Freestyle

    1. Lily Herman (Concord), 51.47; 5. Callie Copeland (Jay M. Robinson).

    200 Freestyle Relay

    1. South Brunswick, 1:44.30; 2. Cedar Ridge; 3. Concord; 4. Orange.

    100 Backstroke

    1. Lily Shelley (North Buncombe), 1:02.19.

    100 Breaststroke

    1. Ray Chambers Stevens (Atkins), 1:03.82; 2. Caylee Hollar (North Lincoln); 4. Callie Corland (Jay M. Robinson); 5. Tommi Poland (Concord).

    400 Freestyle Relay

    1. South Brunswick, 3:50.12; 2. Cedar Ridge.

    Diving

    1. Michaela Bentley (Western Alamance), 390.85

    Langston Wertz Jr.

    The Charlotte Observer

    Langston Wertz Jr. is an award-winning sports journalist who has worked at the Observer since 1988. He’s covered everything from Final Fours and NFL to video games and Britney Spears. Wertz — a West Charlotte High and UNC grad — is the rare person who can answer “Charlotte,” when you ask, “What city are you from.”
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  • Paris Olympics spectators take in triathlon event as Seine River declared clean enough for swimming

    Paris Olympics spectators take in triathlon event as Seine River declared clean enough for swimming

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    Triathlon athletes in Paris plunged into the Seine River on Wednesday after officials declared it clean enough for swimming. “Yes, finally! Finally, they approve to swim in the river,” said Brice Perrin, a Paris resident. The cleaner water levels allowed all three disciplines of the triathlon to proceed as scheduled. This gave American tourists Cyndi Graham and Doug Layne an unexpected spectacle during their layover. “They did the swim. We hope everyone is safe after the event,” Graham said. “We were excited they went through with it. It would have been sad if they didn’t get to do it.”The athletes raced two laps, roughly a mile, in the Seine, followed by 25 miles of cycling and a 6.2-mile run past iconic landmarks. Cassandre Beaugrand of France took gold for the women, with Team USA’s Taylor Spivey finishing in the top 10. Great Britain’s Alex Yee finished first for the men. “And to do it in this heat. I’m just having trouble walking in this heat. I can’t imagine running and cycling in it!” said Doug Layne, an American spectator. Would spectators be willing to swim in the Seine themselves?”Not now, to be honest,” Perrin said. “We can try one day, of course.”The next test for the Seine’s water quality comes on Aug. 5 for the triathlon mixed relay, followed by Open Water Swimming on Aug. 8 and Aug. 9.

    Triathlon athletes in Paris plunged into the Seine River on Wednesday after officials declared it clean enough for swimming.

    “Yes, finally! Finally, they approve to swim in the river,” said Brice Perrin, a Paris resident.

    The cleaner water levels allowed all three disciplines of the triathlon to proceed as scheduled.

    This gave American tourists Cyndi Graham and Doug Layne an unexpected spectacle during their layover.

    “They did the swim. We hope everyone is safe after the event,” Graham said.

    “We were excited they went through with it. It would have been sad if they didn’t get to do it.”

    The athletes raced two laps, roughly a mile, in the Seine, followed by 25 miles of cycling and a 6.2-mile run past iconic landmarks.

    Cassandre Beaugrand of France took gold for the women, with Team USA’s Taylor Spivey finishing in the top 10.

    Great Britain’s Alex Yee finished first for the men.

    “And to do it in this heat. I’m just having trouble walking in this heat. I can’t imagine running and cycling in it!” said Doug Layne, an American spectator.

    Would spectators be willing to swim in the Seine themselves?

    “Not now, to be honest,” Perrin said. “We can try one day, of course.”

    The next test for the Seine’s water quality comes on Aug. 5 for the triathlon mixed relay, followed by Open Water Swimming on Aug. 8 and Aug. 9.

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  • Introducing The Real Becky Hill

    Introducing The Real Becky Hill

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    TW: This article contains mentions of sexual assault.

    A few months ago, I sat with Becky Hill backstage before her sold-out Brooklyn Steele performance. As we chatted about her collaborations and the struggle of being taken seriously as a solo artist, I could feel Hill’s passion. She’s an artist who takes her craft very seriously, someone who’s both humble and fiery all at once, with a voice that can bring an entire room together.

    Now, as I sit listening to Becky’s album a month before it’s released into the world for the critics and fans to pick apart and devour, I remember her desire to create real drum and bass music. I remember her promises of a record in the works, but I had no idea that it would be so powerful. The new album in question, Believe Me Now?, is a perfect summation of Becky Hill’s already illustrious career.

    Sure, she was discovered on season one of The Voice UK, but she’s also the only Voice contestant to score a #1 UK single. Despite mega-hit features on essential chart-topping house tracks like “Crazy What Love Can Do” with David Guetta, “Lose Control” with MEDUZA and Goodboys, “Gecko (Overdrive)” with Oliver Heldens, and “HISTORY” with Joel Corry…Becky Hill’s voice has been the main event- deserving of shining on its own, and not just because a male DJ is attached to the track.

    Which brings us to now: the release of her third and resoundingly best album, Believe Me Now? The album pushes boundaries: intertwining her classic, beloved drum-and-bass style with powerful ballads, sprinkling in her classic dance club roots with honest, vulnerable lyricism. It’s a sign of maturity and growth as a vocalist that Hill digs so deep within her songs, reflecting on heartache, love, and all the struggles she’s endured throughout her life.

    Songs like “Swim” will be instant favorites for those who love Becky’s classic upbeat dance moments…but songs like “True Colours” give us a glimpse into a darker time where Hill details her experience with being sexually assaulted and her healing process.

    Believe Me Now? proves that Becky Hill indeed is a voice of our generation. She’s left it all on the table, showing her real self with no holding back, no bull…just Becky. The album rips her away from “The Voice contestant” or “feature artist” and into a realm of her own: one where we know who the real Becky Hill is and her music alone is what matters.

    And 2024 just may be her year: with the new album coming out May 31 and a US tour looming in November…we’re ready to see what else Becky Hill has in store. It feels like she has it all figured out in terms of who she wants to be as an artist and who she is as a woman…which is why Believe Me Now? is an instantaneous classic. You can listen to the album here:

    Ahead of Becky Hill’s album release, I spoke to her about the real Becky Hill, dealing with her trauma, and more. Check it out below!

    PD: The title of the album, Believe Me Now?, seems to serve the message that you’re not messing around, you’re the real deal. Do you think your voice has finally been heard? Is this album the real Becky Hill?

    BH: Ah thank you so much! so lovely to speak to you guys again & I’m so glad you like the album!! This album has definitely felt like the coming of age of a lost girl that’s grown into a woman! I feel the most collected & comfortable in my own skin, like the hard work I’ve put into my career is finally starting to pay off & this album really reflects where I am in my life!

    PD: From starting on The Voice to now, what have you learned about yourself as an artist and a songwriter?

    BH: I guess before The Voice I was used to writing songs on my own in my bedroom & when I joined the music industry I started writing with other people. When lockdown happened I wasn’t sure if I could even write songs on my own anymore but I absolutely could. I wrote a couple of drum & bass songs on my own (“Hold On” – Netsky & “Here For You” – Wilkinson) & when starting this next album I wasn’t sure if I still had things to say, but I definitely did, they just grew with me. This album showed me how lonely I’ve been feeling & actually, on the business side of things, how determined I am to continue & build on the success I’ve had so far.

    PD: The track “True Colours” written with Lauren Aquilina is about your experiences with sexual assault. I know it can be difficult to open up about traumatic experiences in your music, but what made you do it with Believe Me Now?

    BH: I had taken all the steps of healing that I needed. I confronted the rapist, told my old friends, reported it to the police, had my old friends validate & apologize to me & now release a song about it. It’s felt like the final piece to the puzzle, being able to talk about something I used to feel so much pain & shame around & now to have released all that & show the world there was never anything for me to feel ashamed of in the first place has been so powerful. I spoke to my therapist about it last week, I guess I didn’t realize how much it had affected me speaking about it, she called it ‘the shame hangover’ & promised me that this was going to help others. “Self Esteem” is on the record too who has been dealing & talking about her experiences of sexual assault for a while now, so it’s been incredibly useful to have another artist to guide me through publicly speaking about such a sensitive subject.

    PD: These feel like some of your most emotionally vulnerable records…and yet you balance them perfectly with dance and house elements. Growing up in the dance community, what about it inspired your career?

    BH: Thanks!! That’s exactly the angle I was trying to create when making this album! It was the stories that my brother would tell of going to raves & having the best nights. The emotions I would feel that I didn’t know I had at such a young age that dance music would give me. The community of friends I had that were all so passionate about new releases on labels & artists & festivals. I loved all of it. It felt at its most prolific at the time I was discovering myself & my own taste in music. Dance has really changed my life, soundtracked it & taught me so much

    PD: This album showcases Becky Hill alone, not just who you can be on a collaboration. What was important to you while making this album and creating more solo work?

    BH: I guess I’ve always had different battles. Being a contestant on The Voice, or being a feature artist or not being able to release a song without having a feature on my record. I wanted to create a fully deep rooted dance pop album that showed I didn’t need anyone else featuring, that I could be a dance artist in my own right & that us girls can do it just as well, if not better than the boys!

    PD: Your headline tour starts in June. What are you most looking forward to?

    BH: Playing the new stuff!! I’m so glad I get to go out with new singles that people may not have heard already & show them the new stuff! The best part is seeing streams go up after gigs which shows that people want to listen back at home too, such a great feeling & I can’t wait to see everybody having a great time, that’s what my summers all about!

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    Jai Phillips

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  • 11 lakes, rivers, creeks and watering holes for swimming, kayaking + more around Charlotte

    11 lakes, rivers, creeks and watering holes for swimming, kayaking + more around Charlotte

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    Anne Springs Close Greenway

    Nothing says summer quite like going for a swim, and warm weather in Charlotte means those days are near (or here!). But if you don’t have pool access, you might not know where to start.

    That’s why we’ve created this guide with all of the places in the Charlotte area that have public swimming and water sports access. Local options include creeks, lakes and even a quarry.

    Lake Norman public swimming and water sports

    Lake Norman State Park

    Location: 759 State Park Rd, Troutman, NC 28166

    Cost: $6 per adult and $4 per child 12 and under.

    Enjoy paddling, fishing and open swim at Lake Norman State Park. Lake Norman is the largest manmade lake in all of North Carolina, with the state park covering about 17 miles of its shoreline, giving you plenty of space to swim and participate in watersports this summer. The day-use amenities are open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

    Ramsey Creek Beach

    Location: 18441 Nantz Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031

    Cost: $5 per car on weekdays or $10 per car on weekends for county residents; $10 per car on weekdays or $15 per car on weekends for non-county residents

    Stick your toes in the sand this summer at Ramsey Creek Beach. Located along Lake Norman area, this 46-acre park has a swimming area, playground, picnic shelters, nature trails and a volleyball court, so the whole family will be entertained all day.

    Starting June 12, the beach will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 12-6 p.m. then on Aug. 23 will transition to weekends only with the same hours until it closes Labor Day weekend.

    Ramsey Creek Park near Cornelius on Lake Norman.
    Ramsey Creek Park near Cornelius on Lake Norman. John D. Simmons jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com

    Lake Wylie public swimming and water sports

    Ebenezer Park

    Location: 4490 Boat Shore Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732

    Cost: $3 for adult (17+) county residents, $5 for adult (17+) non-county residents. $1 for child (6-16) county residents, $2 for adult (6-16) non-county residents. Children 5 and under are free for residents, $1 for non-residents.

    Although it’s currently closed for renovations, Ebenezer Park is typically a great option for public swimming and water sports in the Charlotte area. Ebenezer Park is expected to open back up in late summer or fall of 2024, and when it does expect to find a swimming area, kayak and canoe launch pad and a semicircular fishing pier.

    Ebenezer Park-goers enjoy Lake Wylie in 2023. The park is currently closed for renovations.
    Ebenezer Park-goers enjoy Lake Wylie in 2023. The park is currently closed for renovations. Tracy Kimball tkimball@heraldonline.com

    McDowell Nature Preserve

    Location: 15222 York Rd, Charlotte, NC 28278

    Cost: Guided kayak tours are $20 for residents, $24 for non-residents; guided paddle board tours are $25 for residents, $30 for non-residents.

    You can access Lake Wylie through the McDowell Nature Preserve. Launch your canoe, kayak, or paddle board from the landing located near the waterfront deck. Or, you can sign up for a guided watersports program, where kayaks or paddle boards are provided and an experienced instructor leads you through the water.

    Rock Hill Lake Park

    Location: 4037 India Hook Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732

    Cost: Free

    Nestled in a quiet corner of Lake Wylie sits Rock Hill Lake Park, a 21-acre park with free public access. Not only does Rock Hill Lake Park feature a swim and beach area, but there are also five fishing stations and a kayak/canoe launch point. This park is an ideal place to bring lunch and spend a lowkey summer day.

    Windjammer Park at Tega Cay

    Location: 8999 Windjammer Dr, Tega Cay, SC 29708

    Cost: Free for Tega Cay residents; $100 parking permit per calendar year for non-residents

    Windjammer Park on Lake Wylie features a beach and swimming area, as well as a covered picnic area, restrooms and a playground. Plus, if you visit on the right day, you might even catch the award-winning Carolina Show Ski Team, which puts on free water ski shows for visitors of the park.

    It’s important to note that to park at Windjammer Park you must have a parking permit displayed on your vehicle, which you can obtain from City Hall. If you’re a resident of Tega Cay the parking permit is free. If you’re not a resident, the parking permit costs $100 for the calendar year.

    Catawba River public swimming and water sports

    Catawba River Access Points

    Location: 2541 New Gray Rock Rd, Fort Mill, SC 29708 to 998 Riverwalk Parkway, Rock Hill, SC 29730

    Cost: Free

    Tubing, kayaking, or boating down the Catawba River makes for a fun-filled summer day in the Charlotte area. Plan ahead, as you’ll need to take two cars for this water adventure. Park one car at Riverwalk Carolinas, then take another to the Lake Wylie dam access point. From the dam, hop in your tube or boat and head down the river until you reach your second vehicle at Riverwalk Carolinas and can drive back to your starting point. The experience takes about 3.5 hours in total, depending on the river that day.

    U.S. National Whitewater Center

    Location: 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214

    Cost: $79 per person for an all-access day pass; single-activity cost passes vary

    Adventurous families will love spending the day at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. While swimming isn’t available, adrenaline-inducing water activities are plentiful. Whitewater rafting and whitewater kayaking are available on the man made whitewater river, which is the largest in the world. Flatwater kayaking and stand up paddleboarding are available on the open waters of the Catawba River and Long Creek. Plus, you can deep water solo climb into a pool at the facility.

    The Whitewater Center is open year round, with activities changing based on season. Be sure to check its website to see what’s available and reserve your spot ahead of time before heading out.

    At the U.S. National Whitewater Center, you can participate in activities such as paddleboarding and flatwater kayaking on the Catawba River.
    At the U.S. National Whitewater Center, you can participate in activities such as paddleboarding and flatwater kayaking on the Catawba River. U.S. National Whitewater Center

    Additional public swimming and water sport spots

    Anne Springs Close Greenway

    Location: 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29715

    Cost: $16 per person for a two-hour kayak rental; 50% off for members

    Anne Springs Close Greenway is a 2,100-acre natural preserve located in Fort Mill, SC. Among activities like hiking, horseback riding and biking, you’ll also find water sports open to the public that take place on the reserve’s Lake Haigler.

    You can kayak and paddleboard on the lake on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from June 5 through Aug 2. in 2024. Advanced reservations are required and can be made in two-hour increments, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday. Swimming is not permitted in the lake, but you can fish there.

    Kayakers enjoying the open waters on Lake Haigler at Anne Springs Close Greenway.
    Kayakers enjoying the open waters on Lake Haigler at Anne Springs Close Greenway. Anne Springs Close Greenway

    Cane Creek Park

    Location: 5213 Harkey Rd, Waxhaw, NC 28173

    Cost: $4 entrance fee per vehicle, plus $2 per person for swimming and pedal boat rentals, and $4 per person per hour for kayak and canoe rentals

    Cane Creek Park surrounds a massive 350-acre lake that is open to the public for activities like fishing, canoeing, kayaking, jon and pedal boating, and swimming.

    Enjoy these activities with the whole family from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day weekend, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily in 2024. Plus, there are shelters and picnic areas available to rent for events, making Cane Creek Park the perfect place to spend a special summer day.

    Carrigan Farms

    Location: 1213 Oakridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28115

    Cost: $30 per person (cash only)

    Swim in a natural quarry at Carrigan Farms this summer. Open swim began May 18 for the 2024 season, and you can make your reservation online with a $5 deposit per person, then pay the rest in cash when you arrive.

    Once at the quarry, jump, swing and float into the open water until you work up an appetite. Then, stop by the snack stand for hamburgers, pizza, ice cream and more. Beer and wine are available for purchase, too. Life jackets are required for all guests unless a swim test is completed, and each guest is required to sign a waiver prior to swimming.

    The Quarry at Carrigan Farms offers open swim.
    The Quarry at Carrigan Farms offers open swim. Carrigan Farms

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    Alexandra Maloney is a freelance writer in the Charlotte area. She loves good books, strength training and trying new restaurants in Charlotte and beyond. Find more of her foodie content on Instagram @slicesandsushi.

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    Alexandra Maloney

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  • There’s Still Time to Shop Athleta’s Top-Rated Swimsuits For a Fraction of the Price — But You’ll Need to Hurry

    There’s Still Time to Shop Athleta’s Top-Rated Swimsuits For a Fraction of the Price — But You’ll Need to Hurry

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    All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

    With warmer days (hopefully) in our near future, we’re already planning out our summer 2024 wardrobe. And while stocking up on shorts, sandals, and breezy dresses is for sure part of the plan, those pieces only make up part of shopping list. We’re also in the market for some new, cute swimsuits — which means that Athleta’s Members Event couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.

    Our goal when it comes to buying bikinis and one-pieces is to find something that’s fashionable as well as functional. Sure, we love a bold-colored design, but we also want to make sure these bathing suits are supportive and ready for action. Thankfully, that appears to be Athleta’s main goal when it comes to creating swimwear. The brand’s best sellers include tops with underwire, adjustable ties, and bottoms with pockets, all while incorporating bold prints and vibrant colors.

    Plus, with Athleta’s Members Event, shoppers can score these pieces at a majorly discounted price. All they’ll need to do is sign up to become a member, then type in the code MEMBERS at checkout for 20 to 25 percent off.

    However, a deal this good won’t be around forever. Athleta’s Members Event ends on 3/20, so you’ll want to add some items to your cart, ASAP (and, while you’re at it, stock up on some leggings, too). To kick things off, we’re rounding up a few of our favorite Athleta swimsuits, ahead.

    Athleta Ultra High Waist Pocket Swim Bottom
    Courtesy of Athleta

    Sizes Available: XXS – XL

    Color Options: 3

    If you enjoy long walks (or runs) on the beach, here’s an easy way to go hands-free. These bikini bottoms include a sneaky pocket on the side that’s large enough to fit the essentials, including your phone and Airpods case.

    Athleta Scoop Pique One Piece Swimsuit
    Courtesy of Athleta

    Sizes Available: XXS – XL

    Color Options: 2

    While most white swimsuits tend to be slightly see-through, customers say Athleta’s nylon and spandex version is thick enough to solve this problem. Those who have purchased it also add that it’s stretchy yet secure, and offers enough coverage that you won’t feel exposed while chilling by the pool.

    Athleta Maldives Sport One Piece Swimsuit
    Courtesy of Athleta

    Sizes Available: 32DD – 40B/C

    Color Options: 2

    There’s something about a high-neck swimsuit that gives off a sleek, fashion-forward feel, but it’s the addition of supportive underwire makes this one the perfect pick for water sports and other intense activities. Plus, it has a side pocket!

    Athleta Triangle Bikini Top A-C
    Courtesy of Athleta

    Sizes Available: XXS – XL

    Color Options: 6

    Those with smaller busts will appreciate this triangle bikini, which might seem somewhat simple from the front but includes an adjustable, crisscross string in the back. The tighter you pull, the more form-fitting it becomes, giving you a little bit of lift while making it easier to tailor your top to your specific shape.

    Athleta Maldives Bra Cup Bikini Top
    Courtesy of Athleta

    Sizes Available: XXS – XL

    Color Options: 6

    Although this top’s abstract print will add playfulness to your swimsuit collection, the fact that it’s full-coverage is what makes it a must-buy. Customers add that the UPF 50+ material has helped protect them from sunburns and say the design is ideal for bigger busts.

    “I’m fairly petite but have a large chest and I have trouble finding supportive tops that offer coverage, but are still athletic and cute,” reads one review. “This checks off all the boxes. fits perfectly snug but not too tight.”

    Athleta Scoop Crop Tankini A-C
    Courtesy of Athleta

    Sizes Available: XXS – XL

    Color Options: 4

    We’re all about pulling double duty, which is why we’re adding a tankini bathing suit top to our summer shopping list. While it’s technically swimwear, you can also rock it in place of a cami, making it easier pair with everday bottoms and quickly change once you’re by the water.

    Athleta Clean Full Swim Bottom
    Courtesy of Athleta

    Sizes Available: XXS – XL

    Color Options: 19

    Not all full-coverage bottoms need to be high-waisted. Athleta’s Clean Full Swim Bottoms offer the best of both worlds, sitting lower on the hips without looking too cheeky. Not only will they hold up while you surf or paddleboard, they also come in 19 different colorways, so you’re bound to find one that suits your style.

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    Samantha Sutton

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  • Adult Swim’s Ninja Kamui is a brutal, fast-paced revenge thriller

    Adult Swim’s Ninja Kamui is a brutal, fast-paced revenge thriller

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    Ninja Kamui doesn’t waste any time getting from zero to 100. Within five minutes of its first episode, a bespectacled salaryman is ambushed by a flurry of projectile needles and attacks thrown by a dozen or so armored assailants, bobbing and weaving with uncanny precision as he counters each of their strikes before being viciously beheaded by a sneering brute with dreadlocks. It’s a strong first impression for the first original series from director Sunghoo Park following his work on Jujutsu Kaisen, one that boldly spells out Ninja Kamui’s declaration of intent with bloody and balletic finesse. In an anime season packed with strong premieres, Ninja Kamui positions itself as an action anime worth keeping an eye on.

    Image: E&H production/Adult Swim

    [Ed. note: Minor spoilers for Ninja Kamui episodes 1 through 2.]

    Produced in collaboration with Sola Entertainment, the first original anime production from Park’s studio E&H Production follows the story of Higan, a former ninja who flees with his wife and infant child to build a new life in America after escaping from his clan on threat of death. Assuming new identities and making their living as farmers, Joe and his family live an idyllic and quiet life — that is, until Higan’s clan finally catches up to him, massacring his wife and child and leaving him a hair’s breadth from death himself. Surviving the attack on his home, Higan embarks on a single-minded quest for revenge as he attempts to hunt down his former masters and avenge his family’s murder.

    There isn’t a whole lot in the way of subtlety in these initial episodes, though there are some cool minor details that convey the scrupulous lengths Higan was willing to go to protect his family, such as covertly wiping their fingerprints after leaving a supermarket or setting up an elaborate multi-camera surveillance system to spot potential threats. While the primary focus of the series is on Higan bashing and slashing anonymous baddies, there are still notable supporting characters, such as FBI agent Mike Morris and his partner Emma Samanda, an eccentric cat-loving doctor who previously worked with Higan before defecting from his clan, and the as-of-yet unnamed CEO of Auza, a ubiquitous mega corporation heavily implied to be in league with Higan’s former employers.

    A close-up shot of a brown haired anime man and red haired anime woman standing in a white hallway.

    Image: E&H production/Adult Swim

    Not much time is spent focusing on these characters though in these first two episodes, but that’s fine, because those details are all in service of the real draw of Ninja Kamui: the action. Park earned significant acclaim for his work on the first season of Jujutsu Kaisen and its 2021 feature-length prequel Jujutsu Kaisen 0, both of which featured fast-paced and creative fight sequences with memorable choreography and editing. Fans of Jujutsu Kaisen won’t be disappointed here, as the action in Ninja Kamui is easily on par with JJK’s, albeit far more gratuitous in the amount of blood and viscera. Character designs by Takashi Okazaki, the creator of Afro Samurai, also add to the appeal of the Ninja Kamui, as fans of 2007 anime and its 2009 sequel film Afro Samurai: Resurrection will also feel right at home with the level of violence and action choreography on display here.

    There’s no especially grandiose or bold ambitions on display when it comes to Ninja Kamui’s opening episodes. The series knows what it is: A hyper violent revenge thriller with expertly calibrated action sequences and uniformly dark and somber tone. With that in mind, Ninja Kamui thoroughly succeeds as an engaging and entertaining action anime. With a confirmed total of 12 episodes, only time will tell how this initial premise will evolve and change over the course of the season. But what I know something for certain, which is that Ninja Kamui is a stunning addition to Adult Swim’s catalog of anime programming, and no matter where this story goes, one thing is certain: There will be blood.

    Ninja Kamui airs Saturdays on Adult Swim and is available to stream on Max.

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    Toussaint Egan

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  • ‘Southern Charm’ Reunion Part 2, and Swim Week on ‘Miami’

    ‘Southern Charm’ Reunion Part 2, and Swim Week on ‘Miami’

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    ‌
    Chelsea and Zach are back! They start the episode with a recap of and reaction to the second and final reunion episode of Southern Charm Season 10 (01:48). Within the recap, they give a quick update on the News of the Week (08:04). Then, they recap The Real Housewives of Miami Season 6, Episode 12 (19:32).

    Host: Chelsea Stark-Jones
    Guest: Zack Peter
    Producer: Ashleigh Smith
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

    Subscribe: Spotify

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    Chelsea Stark-Jones

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  • ‘Night Swim’ Dives Into the Deep End of Utterly Irrational Fears

    ‘Night Swim’ Dives Into the Deep End of Utterly Irrational Fears

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    In the opening sequence of It, the 2017 film adaptation of Stephen King’s terrifying novel of the same name, Bill Denbrough is helping his little brother, Georgie, create a paper sailboat on a stormy day. To finish the project, though, Bill needs Georgie to grab some wax from the basement. It’s a simple task, but for an imaginative 6-year-old, the prospect of descending down into a dark, damp cellar is the stuff of nightmares. Director Andy Muschietti does a great job of capturing an irrational childhood fear and turning it into something we can all relate to. I sure as hell wouldn’t want to go down there, either:

    Of course, Georgie returns from the basement unscathed, only to suffer a gruesome fate at the hands of the monstrous Pennywise later on. (Not to roast a small child’s survival instincts, but how are you not running for the hills when a creepy clown is hanging out in a sewer drain?!) Fear is an essential component of It: It’s something Pennywise feeds on while shape-shifting into whatever will scare its victim the most, rational or otherwise. Clearly, Pennywise was taking some cues from Hollywood.

    For decades, the horror genre has terrorized audiences by homing in on phobias. Some of these fears are universal: After watching The Descent or Gerald’s Game, who wouldn’t be afraid of confined spaces with no means of escape? But there’s something to be said about horror movies that manage to mine scares from obscure fears: I didn’t even realize somniphobia was a thing until I watched A Nightmare on Elm Street. (Apologies to Freddy Krueger; I wasn’t really familiar with your game.) In that spirit, the first major horror release of 2024 imagines terror lurking within the most unexpected place of all: a sinister [checks notes] swimming pool?

    In Night Swim, produced by horror icons James Wan and Jason Blum, professional baseball player Ray Waller (Wyatt Russell) is forced into early retirement after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. As Ray and his wife, Eve (Kerry Condon), go about finding a new place to raise their two kids, they end up touring a home with a massive, run-down pool. Tired of constantly moving during Ray’s playing days, the couple is ready to put down some roots—even better, easy access to a pool is exactly what Ray needs to manage his condition with water therapy. But once the Wallers start using the pool, it’s clear that something is amiss. The pool lights ominously flicker at night, the family cat goes missing (RIP, Cider), and the characters experience creepy visions and hear voices. Haunted houses are a dime a dozen in the genre, but it’s not every day you watch a film about a killer swimming pool.

    To be sure, water can be scary under the right circumstances: Jaws has long been cited as a major cause of people’s irrational fear of sharks; movies like Open Water and The Reef will make you think twice about an oceanic getaway. But those fears don’t necessarily translate from the sea to someone’s backyard—at least not without some ingenuity. Night Swim is based on writer-director Bryce McGuire’s 2014 short film of the same name, which he codirected with Rod Blackhurst. In the short, which runs only under four minutes with credits, a woman (Megalyn Echikunwoke) is swimming alone at night when she notices a shadowy figure watching her by the pool. When she comes up for air, nobody is there—not long after, she’s dragged down to the pool’s depths, never to be seen again. It’s effectively creepy in its simplicity, a premise grounded in the feeling you might’ve gotten as a kid that there’s something in the swimming pool waiting to attack you. At the same time, nothing about the short screams, “This needs the feature-length treatment.”

    To McGuire’s credit, I can’t envision anyone working harder to convince moviegoers that a goddamn pool could be a proper horror villain. Like a student doing whatever it takes to meet the word count on an essay, Night Swim throws out every possible water-based scenario to torment the Wallers in its 90-odd-minute running time: swimming alone at night, swimming alone during the day, diving for quarters, a game of Marco Polo with some supernatural intervention, a possessed pool cover (?) that’s trying to drown a child, a pool party gone awry. The movie’s insistence on making the pool the centerpiece of absolutely everything occasionally hits the so-bad-it’s-good sweet spot, especially when the characters are saying things like:

    “I used to be scared of pools.”

    “We have a pool.” [Smiles]

    “There’s something wrong with this pool!”

    “This pool is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me!”

    [Menacingly] “YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO SAY POLO!”

    (In an alternate universe, cinema’s real-life Ocean Master, James Cameron, never recovers from directing Piranha II: The Spawning and Night Swim becomes his magnum opus.)

    Against all odds, there are some interesting ideas at play in Night Swim. When characters are attacked, they get dragged down to a watery abyss that’s like a more literal spin on the Sunken Place: one of the rare times when the film is genuinely unsettling and creative in its aquatic imagery. For Ray, the pool also appears to be curing his MS, so much so that he attends his son’s baseball practice and hits a ball hard enough that it smashes one of the stadium lights. The fact that Ray thinks about the pool before blasting a home run implies some kind of psychic connection between man and water, which is just wonderfully batshit. (As I explained to my colleague Ben Lindbergh, the power of the pool flowed through him, which I don’t believe counts as one of MLB’s banned substances. For some reason, this movie loves baseball almost as much as it loves pools.)

    But for all the absurd moments that rise to the surface of Night Swim, the film is never comfortable embracing all of its schlocky potential. Where Night Swim really flounders is in its attempts to explain the supernatural occurrences surrounding the pool and how it affects the people who use it. The notion of water as a powerful, malevolent force with a will of its own is certainly intriguing, but the film makes the fatal mistake of taking its pool-centric mythology far too seriously. Even as Ray develops an unhealthy obsession with his new hobby, like he’s Jack Torrance in board shorts, this isn’t the Overlook Hotel; it’s an evil swimming pool. Would it be so hard to fully dive into the deep end of silliness?

    Alas, Night Swim doesn’t have enough waterlogged nonsense to qualify it for the so-bad-it’s-good canon. Horror obsessives will still find some joy in a movie in which Wyatt Russell and Kerry Condon engage in passionate arguments about family, baseball, and whether their new pool is trying to murder them. But Night Swim won’t do for pools what Jaws did for the ocean: This is one irrational fear you won’t have to worry about resurfacing. That doesn’t mean, however, that McGuire is done trying to ruin our childhoods: On the heels of Night Swim, he’s a cowriter on Imaginary, Blumhouse’s upcoming horror flick about an imaginary friend in the form of a teddy bear with some nefarious intentions. Hopefully, Imaginary will do more with its wacky premise than McGuire’s lackluster directorial debut does. After all, when it comes to high-concept horror movies, it’s a sink or swim affair.

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    Miles Surrey

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  • Free-diver plunges to record depth beneath frozen Swiss lake

    Free-diver plunges to record depth beneath frozen Swiss lake

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    LAKE SILS, Switzerland, March 14 (Reuters) – David Vencl emerged from the depths of Switzerland’s Lake Sils on Tuesday after a record dive beneath the ice to a depth of more than 50 meters without a wetsuit.

    The 40-year-old Czech diver’s record vertical plunge to 52.1 meters in a single breath follows his entry into the Guinness World Records book for swimming the length of a frozen Czech lake in 2021.

    Vencl dived through a hole in the ice then retrieved a sticker from a depth of 50 meters to prove his feat before re-emerging through the same hole. He spat some blood, sat down for a minute and then opened a bottle of champagne. A later visit to the hospital confirmed there was nothing serious.

    [1/3] Czech freediver David Vencl dives to 52 metres under the ice of Lake Sils in one breath and wearing only a swimsuit in this picture taken from a video in Sils near St. Moritz, Switzerland March 14, 2023. David Vencl Organisation/Handout via REUTERS

    The Swiss plunge in temperatures of between 1 and 4 degrees Celsius took him 1 minute 54 seconds, his promoter Pavel Kalous said, which was a bit slower than expected.

    “He kind of enjoyed it but he admits he was a little more nervous than usual and he had some problems with breathing,” he told Reuters.

    “There is nothing difficult for him to be in cold water… Lack of oxygen is something normal for him. But this was completely different because it’s really difficult to work with the pressure in your ears in cold water,” he added.

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    “If you combine all these three things: cold water, lack of oxygen and the problem with working with pressure, it’s something very unique,” he added.

    Reporting by Denis Balibouse in Lake Sils, Switzerland
    Writing by Emma Farge
    Editing by Matthew Lewis

    Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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