Some of the best young athletes from across the province will be boarding a ferry to Vancouver Island this week, as the BC Summer Games get set to launch today (Thursday).
South Surrey, Cloverdale and White Rock athletes are among the 2,500 expected to compete at the games, which run July 17-20 in Nanaimo.
Where the Peninsula is best represented is in track and field, with Georgia Ginther, Jaxon Mackie, Alexa Porpaczy, Dawson Ribiero and Cloverdale's Jessica Urban set to compete. Surrey's Kellie Robertson will also compete in the Special Olympics division of track and field.
A pair of White Rock-South Surrey Baseball Association members – Jackson Hogg and Sam Shoemaker – will also represent the Fraser Valley (Zone 3) on the ball diamond.
In the equestrian competition, Haley Down, Elyse Hodel and Courtney Palleson will compete, while Emily Down will take part in the rowing competition.
Three White Rock athletes will also be in Nanaimo – softball player Casey Gareau, swimmer Catherine Grimme and volleyball player Christian Wagner.
James Macdonald and Ryan Renkers will represent the Peninsula on the Ruby Pitch at the Games, as well.
In total, more than 150 athletes from throughout Surrey are signed up for the Games.
The Fraser Valley has fared well in recent B.C. Games. At the Surrey-hosted BC Summer Games in 2012, Valley athletes finished second overall, with 163 medals, and last February, at the 2014 BC Winter Games, held in Mission, the Valley team placed first overall.
For a full list of BC Summer Games participants, plus more information and results, visit www.bcgames.org