Each year in Canada the last Wednesday of February is designated as Anti-Bullying Day. It is a day when people come together by wearing pink shirts to school or work to show they are against bullying. This year, Swim BC is taking the step to help all our members send a message that our sport does not tolerate bullying, and to emphasize that kindness and compassion are critical to making our sport a safe place to be.
To help send this message of anti-bullying, Swim BC is providing a “Pink Cap” for swimmers throughout the province. We’re encouraging our clubs to make a statement in their local pool and wear their Pink Caps on Wednesday, February 23rd. Here’s what we need from each club, age group and masters – please send us an estimate of the total number of Pink Caps you’ll need for February 23rd. If you want to set up a special workout where all your swimmers come to participate, send us that number. Please be as accurate as possible, it’s fine to ask for a few extra but let’s try to use all that is ordered.
We’re also encouraging you to profile your Pink Cap Day on your club’s social media and consider fundraisers through www.pinkshirtday.ca
To place your order please fill out this form. There is no cost to you as a club. Orders are due by Friday, January 14th, 2022.
Swim BC is proud to announce that Jeannie Lo is the new President of Swim BC. Elected by the Board of Directors at the Oct 30th Board meeting, Jeannie takes over from Linda Metcalfe after her four years of leadership. Jeannie is an active swimming parent, official and has been providing the Canadian Dolphin Swim Club with strong leadership as both a Board member and President of the Club.
“It’s my honour to serve Swim BC and its members and I look forward to working with the team and the Board to build on the tremendous success of our past president. We are grateful for the strong leadership, vision and results-driven initiatives, and aim to carry on the legacy of achievement.”
Please join us in welcoming Jeannie.
The Board would also like to announce the Board Committees for 2021- 2022:
Finance Committee: Michael Hoche (Chair), Jeannie Lo & Mark Versfeld
The Annual General Meeting of Swim BC was conducted last night (October 14). With 39 voting delegates in attendance, two special resolutions addressing bylaw amendments were passed and three new board members were elected by acclamation. Here’s a brief bio of each new member to serve as an introduction to our membership:
Lo, Jeannie / Vancouver / Club Affiliation (CDSC) I am the Client Success Director at Blue Umbrella, an industry leader in regulatory compliance technology. I have become deeply involved in competitive swimming as a result of my children and their passion for CDSC. We have been members since 2015 and I became immediately involved as a volunteer. In 2016 I was invited to join the Board of Directors and have served as President since 2017. I am also a Level III Official and have gained meet organization and planning experience as Meet Manager for Winter AGC 2020 and our CDSC Invitational 2020.
McBain-Ferreira, Barb /North Vancouver I have been a Registered Nurse for Vancouver Coastal Health for 30 years, in a wide variety of roles from frontline staff, educator, operations manager and currently as a project manager for the VCH Regional Surgery Exec Council. Both of my sons played community baseball, one is still playing at UBC. I have been heavily involved in baseball in many roles – coach, manager, and on the board of directors for 15 years, including president, then past president. I was one of the founding six members of a new baseball club in 2016 (NSBA), which currently has 1,000 players from age 4-25. As a swimmer, I was a member of Vancouver Pacific, then the Canadian Dolphins, UBC and National Team – my last year of swimming was 1986. I was a volunteer swim coach at my sons’ high school for a few years before they graduated.
Stanley Wilson, Linda / Surrey / Club Affiliation (WRW) Retired university professor in teacher education and kinesiology specializing in aquatics and outdoor education (and weirdly, Instructional Technology). I was a collegiate swimmer, current master’s swimmer, & open water swimmer. I have had extensive board and committee experience over the years. I am currently the President of White Rock Wave Swim Club (master’s team). Owner, Open Water Graphics (marketing, media, communications).
A warm welcome to Jeannie, Barb and Linda.
Swim BC would also like to thank the outgoing board members for their years of service and contribution to Swim BC and swimming in BC: Mike Ball, Liz Collins, Eric Gottardi and President Linda Metcalfe.
The new board will convene their first meeting on October 30th at which time a new President will be elected.
Please note: there is one vacancy remaining on the Board. If you have an interest in participating and contributing to the effective governance and future of Swim BC, please do not hesitate to reach out to Executive Director Ken Radford (ken.radford@swimbc.ca).
The 2020/21 annual report, financial statements and Executive Director report are now posted here.
Swim BC and Swim Alberta have come together to create a friendly rivalry to develop spirit, story, and a rallying cry to inspire and motivate coaches and swimmers to improve their butterfly development.
The challenge is open to all fully registered swimmers in the competitive category in their respective provinces. Paralympic swimmers must have a Level 2 classification. Olympic Events include the 50m, 100m and 200m Butterfly. Paralympic Events include S1 – S7 50m Butterfly & S8 – S14 100m Butterfly.
“We are aiming for novel ways to capture excitement and interest in swimming fast through all of the age groups.”, Dr. Stephen Norris, Swim Alberta’s Performance Technical Director explained. “It’s highly competitive and friendly fun rivalry between the provinces. It’s meaningful competition that raises the stakes with an edge to it. I can only see this growing.”
Butterfly development was chosen to build on underwater dolphin kicking as well as basic butterfly techniques. It is easily the weakest stroke in our country and BC & AB want to build strong swimmers with skills that will advantage Canada in future international competitions.
“The Golden Flipper Challenge is an innovative initiative designed to re-engage our swimming community.”, Cory Beatt, Swim BC’s Technical Director said. “Swim BC is looking forward to this challenge with Swim Alberta and to developing a healthy rivalry between our two provinces.”
Rankings will be posted at the end of each month from October 2021 – August 2022. The winning province will be announced in September 2022.
Both Directors are excited about the friendly challenge between the provinces and shared their words of encouragement.
“Swim Alberta is a worthy rival and Swim BC will require its collective efforts in this challenge.” Cory Beatt said, “[The goal is] keeping the WEST the BEST. Good luck to all participants from Alberta and BC.”
Steve shared Alberta’s pride is on the line’ and every swimmer can be a part of this challenge. “Eventually [this will lead us to] contributing to future Canadian performances on the world stage”.
Swim BC is the provincial governing body for competitive swimming in British Columbia (swimbc.ca) and Swim Alberta is the governing provincial body for Competitive Swimming in Alberta (swimalberta.ca).
Good Luck Swimmers!
Swim BC is excited to announce the Team Aquatic Supplies BC Swim Coaches Conference will be offered virtually. Since the cancellation of the in-person Coaches Conference in Whistler, we have been working to provide this great content in a virtual format. The full virtual schedule is linked below and registration is now open.
The dates for the virtual conference are listed below:
Session #1 – Friday, October 1st, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm PDT
Session #2 – Saturday, October 2nd, 11:00 am – 2:40 pm PDT
Saturday will include two streams: Grassroots and Age Group & Senior.
The conference is $ 20.00 per participant.
If you have questions about the Team Aquatic Supplies BC Swim Coaches Conference, please email conference@swimbc.ca.
