News Archives - Swim BC

BC SWIMMING ALUMNI: Nathan Stein

Aynaz Fazeli — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 22:10:28 +0000

Nathan Stein, from Maple Ridge, British Columbia, built a 20‑year swimming career defined by resilience, adaptability, and the people who supported him along the way. He began his journey with the BC Summer Swimming Association (BCSSA) before transitioning into year‑round swimming, gaining experience with Simon Fraser Aquatics and the Haney Seahorse Swim Club (now Ridge Meadows Swim Club), before ultimately finding a long‑term home with the Surrey Knights Swim Club. Throughout his career, Stein was influenced by a number of respected coaches, including Stu Don Caroll, Wendy Lim, Liam Leyland, and Dmitry Kononenko. Each played a role in developing his understanding of the sport, work ethic, and self-confidence. The most significant impact came from his longtime coach, Reg Shaw from the Surrey Knights Swim Club. Early in his athletic career, Stein faced a significant setback after breaking his knee playing football at age 11. He was later diagnosed with osteochondritis dissecans, a bone deficiency in the knee that required multiple surgeries and ultimately reshaping his path in sport. The diagnosis forced him to reconsider his future, but it also opened the door to Paralympic swimming. Among his early highlights, Stein represented Team BC at the West Coast Championships in Richmond BC, marking his first experience on a provincial team. Another defining moment was breaking a BCSSA 100m freestyle record previously held by Olympic champion Brent Hayden, and later by swimmer Mike Westwick, before Stein surpassed it the following year. On the international stage: 2012 Paralympic Games: 2nd – S10 Men’s 50m Freestyle LCM 2014 Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Championships: 1st – S10 Men’s 100m Butterfly LCM 2nd – S10 Men’s 100m Freestyle LCM 2015 IPC World Championships: 3rd – S10 Men’s 50m Freestyle LCM 3rd – S10 Men’s 100m Freestyle LCM 2015 Parapan American Games: 2nd – S10 Men’s 100m Butterfly LCM 2nd – S34 Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay LCM 3rd – S10 Men’s 100m Freestyle LCM 3rd – S10 Men’s 50m Freestyle LCM 2016 Paralympic Games: 5th – S10 Men’s 100m Butterfly LCM 5th – S10 Men’s 50m Freestyle LCM Stein reflected on his personal experience of facing setbacks during the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Leading up to the Games, he underwent what he described as the most focused training period of his life. Unfortunately, a back injury sustained just days before the competition significantly affected his performance, although he did not achieve the desired results. He emphasizes how the process leading up to the Games is one that has had the most defining impact on his life. Stein retired from competitive swimming following the 2016 Rio Paralympics. His transition out of sport was emotionally challenging, as swimming had been a central part of his identity. He applied the same lessons, focus, and determination cultivated in training to his personal and professional life. Today, Stein reflects on his journey with a deep sense of gratitude. He credits swimming with providing the foundation for his success, including the discipline, structure, and perspective that has shaped his life. He is now focused on his family and career and describes himself as being in the best place he has ever been.

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BC Swimming Alumni: Willem Hergesheimer

Aynaz Fazeli — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 22:00:36 +0000

Willem Hergesheimer’s swimming journey in British Columbia reflects both a deep commitment to the sport and a lasting appreciation for the community around it. He competed from 1998 to 2010 with several clubs across the province, including the Bulkley Valley Otters, Nanaimo Riptides, Ravensong, Langley Olympians (now Olympians Swimming), Langley Flippers Summer Club, and the Spartan Swim Club. In 2021, he returned to the sport as a coach, continuing to give back to the swimming community. Some of Hergesheimer’s favourite moments include medaling at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival and representing Team BC at events such as the Western Canada Summer Games, Age Group Championships, and the Paul Bergen International. While these achievements marked important milestones, it was the broader experience of representing his province and country that left the strongest impression; building friendships, learning from others, and experiencing different cultures through sport. Throughout his career, Hergesheimer was shaped by the many coaches and teammates he encountered. Swimming provided him with a strong sense of structure and resilience, teaching him to view setbacks as opportunities for growth. Those lessons have remained central to his life beyond the pool, guiding how he approaches challenges and personal development. Since stepping away from competitive swimming, Hergesheimer has embraced the sense of exploration the sport inspired in him. He has travelled extensively, lived overseas, and continues to pursue new experiences around the world. Now back on deck as a coach, he remains connected to the sport and its community. His perspective has shifted from performance to people, recognizing that what matters most are not the results, but the shared moments, conversations on deck, time between races, and the experiences that bring teammates together. Hergesheimer hopes to give back to the BC swimming community that played such a significant role in shaping his journey.

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Announcing the BC Swimming Legacy & Alumni Network

Aynaz Fazeli — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:56:10 +0000

The legacy of swimming in British Columbia begins with you; whether you competed on the world stage or dove in with your local club, you are an essential part of our province’s story. This year, we are taking meaningful steps to reconnect with our roots through the BC Swimming Legacy, an initiative dedicated to uncovering the key moments and individuals whose dedication shaped the sport we love. We believe that the stories of those who built this community should not only be preserved but celebrated as they continue to inspire the next generation of swimmer today. A central part of this journey is the launch of the BC Swimming Alumni Network, a space created to honour the athletes, coaches, and leaders who have built our community over the decades. If you ever swam or coached for a club in British Columbia, whether you represented your local community, your university, or your country, you are a BC Swimming alumnus, and your contributions have played a vital role in our shared success. In the coming days, we will begin sharing alumni profiles that highlight these defining stories, and we invite you to officially join the network through this link to stay connected with the sport that remains a part of who you are.

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Good Friday & Easter Monday

Aynaz Fazeli — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:39:54 +0000

The Swim BC office will be closed on Good Friday (April 3) and Easter Monday (April 6). We extend our warm wishes to those celebrating and hope everyone enjoys a restful long weekend.

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Sport Administration Internship Opportunity with Swim BC

Aynaz Fazeli — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 18:51:43 +0000

We are seeking a paid Event and Administration Intern to join our team at the Swim BC office in Victoria, BC. This opportunity is intended for current post-secondary students and provides hands-on experience in sport governance, event delivery, athlete services, and organizational operations. The intern will work closely with Swim BC staff and gain exposure to multiple areas of sport management, including competitions, communications, and membership services. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in careers in sport management, event management, sport governance, or non-profit administration. Application Deadline: April 8, 2026, 4:00 PM (PT) Expected Start Date: May 4, 2026 Location: 305-4420 Chatterton Way, Victoria, BC V8X 5J2 For more information and the application process, please click HERE!

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2026 Winter Provincials Recap

Aynaz Fazeli — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 21:08:44 +0000

The 2026 Winter BC Provincial Championship, hosted by Swim BC and Pacific Coast Swimming (UVPCS), took place at Saanich Commonwealth Place in Victoria from March 5–8, 2026. The event brought together 660 swimmers from 44 clubs for an exciting weekend of high-level competition.

Overview:

Host Club: Pacific Coast Swimming (UVPCS) Meet Managers: Mike Sanborn & Kuy Neable Meet Referees: Glenn Greig & Mhiran Faraday Para Technical Advisor: Marilyn King Number of Clubs: 44 Number of Swimmers: 660 Number of Swims: 3,816 Number of Best Times: 1,893 (50%)

Team Awards:

Open: Olympians Swimming (OS) – 6,262.50 🏆 Pacific Coast Swimming (UVPCS) – 3,250.50 Pacific Sea Wolves (PSW) – 3,139 Canadian Dolphin Swim Club (CDSC) – 2,602.50 KISU Swim Club (KISU) – 2,489 Small Club: Winskill Dolphins Swim Club (WDSC) – 633 🏆 Spartan Swim Club (SPART) – 574 Hollyburn Hurricanes Swim Team (HST) – 345 Ladysmith/Chemainus (LCSC) – 249.50 Columbia Shuswap Selkirks Swim Club (CSSSC) – 127

Individual Aggregate Awards:

Male: 12 & Under: Will Xu (WSC) – 265 13–14: Finn Kirk (KAJ) – 209 15–16: Jeffrey Chen (PSW) – 208 17 & Over: Danny Park (OS) – 175 Para: Fernando Lu (OS) – 6,893 Female: 12 & Under: Mia Wittal (KCS) – 252 13–14: Bonnie Choi (SPART) – 249 15–16: Olivia Zhou (CDSC) – 205 17 & Over: Juliet Nicholson (KAJ) – 225 Para: Mary Jibb (PSW) – 6,465 Congratulations to Swim BC Volunteer and Officials Bursary winners Kirk Stringer, Alex Weaver, Brad Safnuk, and Ross Milne. Thank you to all the swimmers, coaches, officials, and volunteers who contributed to the 2026 BC Winter Provincial Championships!

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2026 Winter Divisionals Recap

Aynaz Fazeli — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 23:26:50 +0000

The 2026 Winter Divisionals were held February 20–22 across three regions in British Columbia, providing competition opportunities for swimmers throughout the province. The North & Interior Division was hosted by KISU Swim Club. The meet included 15 clubs and 245 swimmers. Meet Managers Kathleen Van der Merwe, Erin Boone, and Melissa Hagel oversaw operations, with Anne Benn serving as Meet Referee. Top Teams: KISU – 5,042.50 KAJ – 4,815.50 KCS – 2,278 VKSC – 1,590 PGB – 1,510.50 The Vancouver & Fraser Division was hosted by Surrey Knights Swim Club. A total of 381 swimmers from 11 clubs competed. Shannon VanDiermen served as Meet Manager and Chris Wakelin as Meet Referee. Top Teams: OS – 6,125 PSW – 4,469.50 VPSC – 3,262.50 SKSC – 2,528 HYACK – 2,366 The Island & Coastal Vancouver Division was also hosted by Canadian Dolphin Swim Club. 17 clubs and 396 swimmers participated. Meet Manager Jocelyn Chang oversaw operations, with Jeannie Lo serving as Meet Referee. Top Teams: CDSC – 5,116.50 RAPID – 2,810.50 UVPCS – 2,048 WSC – 2,032 SQUP – 1,761 Swim BC extends its gratitude to the swimmers, coaches, officials, and volunteers whose commitment and effort made these competitions possible. A special acknowledgment is extended to Mike Flegal and the Spartan Club for their assistance following a technical issue on Thursday night prior to the start of the North & Interior Division meet. Their prompt support, including the provision of a timing system, ensured the competition proceeded as scheduled.

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Swim BC 2026 Winter Provincials Volunteer Bursary

Aynaz Fazeli — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:15:00 +0000

With the 2026 Winter Provincial Championships (March 5-8 at Saanich Commonwealth Place) just around the corner, Swim BC is calling for officials & volunteers to help ensure the success of this exciting event.

Eligibility: Open to all volunteers and officials. From timers to referees and all officiating roles, every contribution is essential to the success of Provincials. Bursary Details:

Each individual is eligible to receive one bursary.
Funds will be issued in the recipient’s name and paid directly to their club, and must be applied toward club fees or team travel expenses.
Winners will be drawn daily and announced during the meet and/or contacted directly.
Senior officials who are selected and do not have a swimmer competing with a club will instead be reimbursed for travel expenses to and from Provincials, up to a maximum of $1,000.

How to Enter:

Every completed volunteer session earns one (1) entry
Maximum of two (2) entries per day
One draw per day during the meet (March 5-8)
The more you help, the better your chances of winning!

Entries will be tracked based on completed volunteer sessions. Please visit the links below to register:

How to sign up:

Senior Officials: Click Here
Officials and Volunteers: Click Here

Questions may be directed to Melissa Webster, Performance Development Manager, at melissa.webster@swimbc.ca.

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2026 Winter Divisionals Begin in Two Weeks

Aynaz Fazeli — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 19:32:10 +0000

The countdown to championship season is underway, with the 2026 Winter Divisionals set to begin in two weeks. Participants and families are encouraged to visit the Swim BC Competitions page regularly for the most up-to-date meet information, including schedules, technical packages, and event updates. Swim BC is also seeking volunteers and certified officials to help support the delivery of these events. These competitions rely on the dedication of our community, and participation from volunteers and officials plays a vital role in creating a safe and successful championship environment. For more information, please visit the link below: Click Here

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Swim BC Welcomes Hughanna Gaw as Manager, Member Services

Aynaz Fazeli — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:48:28 +0000

Swim BC is pleased to announce the appointment of Hughanna Gaw as the organization’s new Manager, Member Services, effective January 19, 2025. Hughanna joins Swim BC with more than a decade of experience in sport administration, most recently serving as High School Sports Coordinator with the RSEQ Greater Montreal Athletic Association (GMAA). In this role, she supported a large, multi-sport membership by managing leagues, tournaments, and events across a wide range of sports, including oversight of the regional swim league. Her work has been characterized by strong organizational leadership, a member-focused approach, and a deep understanding of sport system operations. Alongside her administrative background, Hughanna brings valuable hands-on experience as a provincial and varsity rugby coach and former competitive athlete. This dual perspective has shaped her collaborative leadership style and reinforces her commitment to organizational development, quality programming, and positive sport experiences at all levels. She holds a degree in Leisure Sciences from Concordia University and is passionate about sport development and community engagement. Executive Director Elmar Heger shared that Swim BC is excited to welcome Hughanna to the organization, noting that her depth of experience in sport administration, combined with her background as a coach and athlete make her an excellent fit for the role. He added that Hughanna brings a strong member-first mindset and that the organization is confident she will be a tremendous asset to Swim BC and to the swimming community across British Columbia. Hughanna is excited to join Swim BC and looks forward to building strong, collaborative relationships with clubs, coaches, administrators, and the broader Swim BC membership to support and advance the continued growth of swimming across the province.

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