West Coast Wind Swim Club has kicked off the new year with new members, new equipment and new opportunities.
Since adding six new training groups in the fall, the club has seen a rise in membership, and with it, a rise in passion for the sport, stated head coach Marissa Schweitzer in a written submission. She added that the team is feeling more vibrant than ever, with many fresh faces on deck and new friendships being formed.
“To make things even more exciting, this fall, the club was awarded a Powell River Community Forest grant, which allowed the club to purchase up to $10,000 of new equipment,” stated Schweitzer. “These new resources allow the swimmers to maintain and build upon their technical development, while upping the ante in their fitness.”
Schweitzer stated that the community has never had equipment of this calibre before.
“As a small and still-growing club, it is pretty incredible to have such professional equipment,” added Schweitzer. “From a new starting system to backstroke wedges, and soon a stroke analysis camera, we are feeling humbled by the incredible support from the community forest. It feels like the city has recognized what we are capable of achieving and is helping to propel us onward.”
Entering the new year, the club begins its winter session, and has experienced even more growth, but this time, in the form of coaching development, according to Schweitzer. Sponsored by the team, lead coach Megan Greig was able to expand her education, while Schweitzer was given the opportunity to attend a provincial biomechanics workshop in Victoria.
“These opportunities to gain further education via sponsorship allows our coaching staff to offer the best training possible to our athletes,” stated Schweitzer. “Having such a local and provincial support network means everything to our team, and we are so excited about what this will do for the future of swimming in our community.”
In two weeks, the Wind will have up to 11 athletes attend the Vancouver Island short course championships in Duncan.
“Having these resources makes a world of difference to my ability to perform,” stated longtime swimmer Adianta Cocksedge-Hamilton. “Especially the backstroke wedges. It was so difficult training on a slippery wall, then being expected to compete with grip under my feet at meets. Now, I get to train how I will compete. I feel much more prepared.”
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