As summer wound down, West Coast Wind Swim Club began its fourth season of competitive swimming.
The club closed out its 2023/2024 season in June with the long-course Vancouver Island regional championships. West Coast Wind had nine swimmers attend this meet, ranging in age from eight to 17 years old. Led by substitute coach Hannah Giesbrecht, the team saw 40 best times and 20 top eight finishes, according to head coach Marissa Schweitzer.
“It was an incredibly successful meet to round off a solid season,” said Schweitzer.
The qathet-based club was then represented through the summer at the BC Summer Games by Adianta Cocksedge Hamilton, who competed in multiple events and achieved two silver and two bronze medals.
Later, combining forces with Powell River Aquatic Club, the Wind saw 12 of its swimmers invited to the BC Summer Swimming Association provincial championship in August. At this meet, Luke Gerhart, Ewan Naylor, Malia Mikkelsen, Finn Mikkelsen, Kai Mikkelsen, Hayden Sinotte, Levi and Nico Vodola all placed within the top 25 for multiple events. The relay (comprised of Luke, Levi, Hayden and Ewan) placed top four and Ewan individually broke into the top eight in the majority of his own events.
Concluding such an eventful summer, the athletes are excited to get back to training through the fall and winter, but with the added bonus of a two-day-a-week program for new registrants, said Schweitzer.
“This season, the Wind is hoping to open their doors to new, noncompetitive athletes who want to build up their skill set,” said Schweitzer.
The club has decided to launch six new training groups to accommodate new swimmers and experienced swimmers of different ages, as young as five years old with its novice programs, and up to 80-plus with its new masters program.
Schweitzer said she is looking forward to expanding the team and welcoming new folks with different goals and abilities.
If readers have any questions, reach out to Schweitzer at [email protected].
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