Touchpad

Sebastian Massabie from the Pacific Sea Wolves broke the World Para Swimming World Record today in the S4 50m Butterfly while competing at the 2024 Citi Para Swimming World Series USA in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Our recent Prospects Women's Camp held in Victoria, BC, brought together 29 of the top athletes from 12 clubs across the province for a weekend of training and learning. The camp aimed to provide a safe and enjoyable environment while fostering collaboration among swimmers and coaches from diverse backgrounds.

The 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Trials have changed locations from Montreal to Toronto. The competition will run in the same format and dates as originally planned.

Some of the finest young Canadian swimmers took to the Pan Am Pool in Winnipeg March 21 – 24. When the dust settled, LOSC claimed number one status.

“They all work very hard and it’s nice to see their performance come through and come together as a team to win this; it was really fun,” said LOSC head coach Ryan Skomorowski. “We’ve got to get working really hard now and really focus on grinding it out and getting ready for (Olympic & Paralympic) trials (May 13-19 in Montreal).”

LOSC was ably represented by several swimmers, including Julia Strojnowska, Leilani Fack and Ashley Ko. The trio competed in all three women’s relays, winning a pair of golds and a silver. They also, as individuals, copped their fair share of hardware.

“It’s extra special (winning as a team) because we get to see all the work we’ve done together and when you win it feels really good to be there together,” said Strojnowska, who won a gold, silver and bronze on her own. She tied with Rebecca Smith of Cascade for the top performer in the women’s open category.

Being successful as a team is something that Fack says is extra important to her and her mates.

“It definitely is,” she insisted, “because when we train together we see how hard each of us works and to see that pay off, it’s just heart-warming in a different way.”

There were a number of standout performances on the weekend, including that of Aiden Kirk of the Kelowna AquaJets, tops in the junior boys division. The 16-year-old was a gold medalist in the 14-16 age group 1500m free, the 100m free, the 400m IM, as well as the 400m free, in which he went under four minutes for the first time.

“I felt pretty good about that,” Kirk said of that swim. “I honestly didn’t think I was going to go that fast so it’s kind of a shock … and it’s just super exciting to have done that time; I’m super pumped about it.”

He was also thrilled, understandably, with his overall medal haul.

A total of 452 athletes from 67 clubs competed in the four-day meet. The top scoring BC clubs were:

LOSC 1st

KAJ 3rd

WDSC 5th

CDSC 7th

ISC 9th

A total of 22 BC clubs participated in the competition

Get ready for an exhilarating event as Pacific Coast Swimming gears up to host the Provincial Championships from March 7th to the 10th! With an impressive lineup of 630 swimmers from 38 different clubs, this promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent and determination. Join us for four days of intense competition and unforgettable moments in the pool.

2024 Divisionals and Provincial Swim Meets to be live-streamed

We are excited to announce the release of the first edition of our tri-annual Performance Report for the 2023-24 season, covering the period from September 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. This report is a comprehensive overview of the achievements and progress within our swimming community, offering valuable insights into the performances of our athletes at both provincial and national levels.

This inaugural edition highlights key areas such as SCM Top Times, the 10 & Under Pentathlon, and Making Waves, which recognizes remarkable accomplishments of our swimmers. It's designed not only to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of our athletes but also to serve as a tool for continuous development and inspiration for our coaches and swimmers.

Marc Tremblay, head coach of the Kelowna Aquajets, is Swimming Canada’s 2023 junior coach of the year!

Tremblay’s coaching resume includes time on the pool deck with the Vernon Kokanees, Edmonton Keyano and the University of Alberta varsity squads. From 2011-21, he was in charge of Calgary’s Cascade Swim Club age group program and is now calling BC home as he enters in his third season with the Kelowna Aquajets.

Over his almost 40 year tenure Tremblay has coached many provincial, national and international swimmers including being named to the coaching staffcoaching staff at both the 1997 and 2002 Pan Pacific Championships.

Swim BC is seeking a new member of our team for the role of Performance Development Manager. 

The Performance Development Manager will work in conjunction with the Technical Director to manage technical operations, event coordination, and program financials, ensuring the effective execution of program objectives. This individual must be adept in data analytics, possess strong communication skills, and have the ability to address challenges proactively. Adaptability and a hands-on approach to operational tasks are crucial for this multifunctional role.

Congratulations to HYACK's Shima Taghavi on breaking the National Age Group Record for the women's SCM 200 Breast in a time of 2:29.69!  Shima broke the record previously held by Courtenay Chuy which had been on the record books since 1998.  In addition to her National Record, Shima also broke the BC Provincial Record in her 100 Breast with a time of 1:11.39.  Congratulations Shima!

Swim BC has an opportunity for a highly motivated and skilled individual to join our team in the position of Administration Coordinator.  The responsibilities of the position focus on the provision of support to Swim BC operations, administering the membership registration processes, expediting financial procedures, facilitating member communications, and coordinating the effective and efficient administration of the organization.  The role is suited for a team player with personal competencies in relationship building.

Sebastian Massabie of the Pacific Sea Wolves had an outstanding showing at the 2023 Ken Demchuk International Invitational. Massabie broke five Canadian Records!

Congratulations to BC’s Fernando Lu of the Langley Olympians on his performances at the Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile.

Through early 2023 the Board of Directors of Swim BC has worked diligently with staff and the Sport Law consultant group to develop and approve the new Swim BC Strategic Plan. Announced and introduced at the 2023 BC Swimming Congress, we’re pleased to present to our membership the document that will support the direction of Swim BC through 2028.

The 2023 Pan American Games are currently underway in Santiago, Chile, and are scheduled to take place from October 21 to October 25, 2023. These quadrennial multi-sport games have been a significant sporting event since their inception in 1951, bringing together athletes from 40 nations across the Americas.

Do you know an outstanding Indigenous athlete to nominate?

Call for regional nominations – 2023 Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport 

The deadline to submit nominations is extended to Friday, November 24, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (PST).

The 2023-24 Swim-a-thon Registration is now open!

Swim-a-thon events can be hosted anytime between now and August 31st, 2024. Swim-a-Thon is an in-pool fundraiser where swimmers earn pledges to swim a set number of lengths or participate in a fun and challenging swimming event. Each club can personalize its Swim-a-Thon event to match its club and swimmer needs. All donations are collected online through a personalized website created by Swimming Canada, and 90% of the funds earned are distributed back to the clubs. The campaign is a great fundraising opportunity for all clubs.

Collection of the latest Membership & Coach Bulletins.

It is with great reluctance that we announce the resignation of Tracy Gardner from Swim BC.  Tracy has served the Club Services Manager for over a year and has been an invaluable member of the Swim BC team. We’re sad to see Tracy go but wish her nothing but the best fortunes as she begins a new chapter of her life.

Tracy’s last day with Swim BC will be Friday, October 13th.  Staffing capacity is currently being reviewed but, in the meantime, some tasks will be either delayed or managed by other Swim BC staff members.  While we understand it is a busy time of year, we ask for our memberships patience as we work through this period of shifting HR capacity.

Ken Radford, Executive Director

Swim BC would like to thank all the coaches, officials, club delegates and volunteers who attended the BC Swimming Congress in beautiful Whistler last weekend.  Special thanks to all the presenters who took time to share their expertise and insights with the attendees, and to Team Aquatic Supplies for their support of the incredibly successful Awards and Hall of Fame Banquet. It was a great way to kick off the 2023-2024 swim season! 

The annual BC Swimming Congress is being held at the Westin Hotel in Whistler, Sept 28th - Oct 1st.
We are planning an extensive offering for Club Delegates and Coaches.
The staff and board hope to see you there.

National Coaches week is a week to celebrate and recognize the positive impact coaches have on athletes and communities across BC. Coaches are community leaders, role models and mentors who ignite passion for sport and physical activity.

Thank you Coaches! 

It is with great pride and joy that we celebrate Leanne Sirup's, Duncan Stingrays Swim Team Head Coach, induction into the North American Indigenous Athletic (NAIA) Hall of Fame. Leanne's remarkable achievements in the pool have earned her well-deserved recognition.  Her dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to excellence have left an indelible mark on the sport of swimming.  As a shining example of what can be achieved through passion and perseverance, Leanne’s induction in to the NAIA Hall of Fame is a testament to her outstanding athletic career and an inspiration to swimmers across BC and beyond. Congratulations Leanne!

Swim BC would like to congratulate Kelowna Aquajets swimmer, Alexanne Lepage on her gold medal performances at the World Junior Swim Championships in Netanya, Israel!  Alexanne won both the 100 Breast and the 200 Breast in personal best times (1:06.58 and 2:24.70) . Congrats Alexanne on this incredible achievement!

The purpose of this 30-day notice is to confirm the date for the Swim BC Annual General Meeting.

Date: September 30th, 2023

Time: 11:00 am

Location: Westin Resort, 4090 Whistler Way, Whistler, BC

Please mark the date and time in your club calendar and plan to attend. The AGM provides membership with a strong voice and clear hand in shaping the direction of Swim BC.

Date:                         September 30th, 2023
Time:                         11:00 am
Location:                 Westin Resort and Spa, Whistler, B.C.

Please mark the date and time in your club calendar and plan to attend.  The AGM provides membership with a strong voice and clear hand in shaping the direction of Swim BC.

PARA SWIMMING WORLDS
Congratulations to Canada’s Para Swim Team, who had its strongest performance at a Para Swimming World Championships in the past 15 years. The competition concluded on Sunday, August 6th in Manchester, England with Canada winning 9 Gold, 4 Silver, and 6 Bronze medals.

Swim BC is proud to be an accredited provincial sport organization with viaSport. Accredited organizations are a sport or sport discipline’s authoritative body, operating in at least five regions in BC, and with responsibility for oversight, growth, and development. We are proud of this designation – we hope you are too!

Swim BC has secured a limited number of rooms at the Westin Whistler Hotel for $204 / night for the conference weekend.  We encourage you to book soon to avoid missing out on availability.
 
Individual Reservations: All attendees are responsible for making their own reservations by using the link below or by calling the Hotel’s Reservations Department at 1-866-412-2864, or through email at reservations@westinwhistler.com.  
 
Booking Website:
https://book.passkey.com/e/50635541

Good luck to all the swimmers, coaches and officials attending our Summer Provincials!

July 13-16 at UBC Aquatic Centre