qathet region swimmers attend regional event on Vancouver Island

West Coast Wind Swim Club competed in the Vancouver Island short course regional championships in Nanaimo, with all swimmers achieving best times. 

Coach Marissa Schweitzer said the three-day swim meet from January 27 to 29 saw teams from all over the island, and her qathet-based team, racing at their full potential with the hopes of clinching best times, medals and time standards for the coming short course provincial championships in March. 

Schweitzer said to attend this meet, athletes had to achieve regional qualifying times at a previous meet.

“Our local team had eight athletes meet these requirements, with six choosing to attend the championships,” said Schweitzer.

“I am so proud of what each of these swimmers have accomplished. These swimmers have been working so hard to get to this point, and it is amazing to watch them crush their current goals and make new ones.

“We have some pretty exciting meets coming up to cap off the short course racing season, then we will be launching into the long course season this spring, which will be a whole new experience for the majority of our athletes.”

Short course is when swimmers compete in a 25-metre pool, while long course entails a 50-metre pool.

“We are only halfway through our second season and we are seeing immense progress,” said Schweitzer. “I can’t wait to see what happens next and where we go from here.”

Adianta Cocksedge-Hamilton achieved five best times, placing top 20 in five of her events. She is the first female athlete under 16 years old to compete in the 200-metre freestyle and 200-metre backstroke events this season. 

Tilly Cocksedge-Hamilton achieved three best times, placing top 20 in two of her events. She is the youngest competitor to attend regionals.

Kalissa Smith achieved four best times, placing in the top 20 in one of her events. This is only her second competitive meet since joining the sport.

Ayva Gunther achieved four best times, gaining four provincial standards, winning four silver medals and one bronze, as well as a sixth place ribbon. Gunther is the club’s first athlete to compete in the 200-metre butterfly event.

Gabriel Mussellam achieved three best times, placing in the top 15 for all six of his events. He is the first male athlete under 16 to compete in the 200-metre freestyle event.

Russell O’Donnell achieved six best times, placing in the top 20 for four of his events. He is the first male athlete under 16 to compete in the 200-metre breaststroke event.

Schweitzer added that Saphire Mitchell is the club’s first female athlete under 16 to compete in the 200-metre breaststroke event, which she did earlier this season.