Records fall at masters swimming championships
Thirty five clubs representing 190 swimmers from across British Columbia, Canada and the U.S. participated in the BC Masters Swimming Provincial Championships at Kelowna’s H2O Adventure and Fitness Centre.
Hosted by Okanagan Masters Swim Club (OMSC), the three-day event saw eight Canadian Masters records broken, as well as three U.S. and several B.C. marks.
The Okanagan was well represented, with KISU’s Okanagan Falls resident Glenn Carlsen (60-64 age group) securing two Canadian records, in the 800 and 1,500 metre freestyle, and a B.C. record in the 400 metre freestyle.
“It’s always fun to race in Kelowna, because the people are always so friendly and welcoming,” said Carlsen. “Masters swimming is like getting together with family who all love to race.”
OMSC’s Betty Brussel (90-94) and Conny Stamhuis (85-89) showed true grit in setting new Canadian records in the 800 metre freestyle and 200 metre backstroke, respectively.
Not to be outdone by the ladies, Christopher Smith (85-89) of the Trillium Masters Swim Club in Toronto set Canadian records for the 50 metre freestyle and the 100 metre butterfly.
Edmonton’s Barry Lewis (55-59) secured the seventh individual Canadian record at the meet, in the 100 metre freestyle. Lewis was also part of the Edmonton Masters Swim Club relay team that set a Canadian record for the combined age group 200-239 in the 200 metre medley relay, together with Barry Saretsky, Gail McGinnis and Deborah Younger.
World class swimmer Karlyn Pipes (55-59) of Palm Beach Masters broke three U.S. Masters records, in the 50 metre breaststroke, 200 metre freestyle and the grueling 400 metre individual medley, narrowly missing world records in each of these events. Pipes currently holds six FINA Masters world records in this age group.
Four B.C. records were broken by Victoria’s Avila Rhodes (60-64) in the 50, 100 and 200 metre freestyle and the 100 metre breaststroke. B.C. records were set by OMSC’s Carmelle Guidi-Swan (45-49) in the 200 metre butterfly, Georgina Lopez (70-74) in the 50 metre freestyle and Vlad Shirokov (25-29) in the 50 metre breaststroke.
However, masters swimming is about much more than setting records.
It provides fun, friendship and fitness and allows individuals to challenge themselves in a safe environment. Many swimmers participated in their first competitive meet, and several seasoned swimmers achieved personal best times over the weekend.
OMSC won the Masters Swimming Association of British Columbia (MSABC) trophy as the team points leader, followed by English Bay Swim Club, Vancouver and Vernon Masters.
The volunteer committee chaired by OMSC’s Norma Lachance put in several hundred hours to make the 2017 provincials an enjoyable and memorable experience for swimmers, guests and officials.