The Sunshine Coast senior swim team is in full swing preparing for its participation in the 26th BC Senior Games in Kamloops, Aug. 20 to 24.
More than 3,500 B.C. seniors are expected to attend these Games.
"Our team has lost a few of our medal winners from the 2012 Games; however, we have had an injection of new and able talent to our team," said Bruce McDonald. "Although participation is the main aim of the Sunshine Coast swim team, together with the opportunity to meet athletes from all over British Columbia, we are also hoping to maintain our success in bringing our share of medals to the Coast."
Last year the Sunshine Coast team returned to the Coast with 43 medals, 26 gold, 11 silver and eight bronze. During the five years the team has competed in the BC Senior Games, they have garnered a total of 149 medals, 66 gold, 42 silver and 41 bronze.
The Sunshine Coast was represented by one lone swimmer in 2008, six swimmers in 2009, nine swimmers in 2010, 12 swimmers in 2011, nine swimmers in 2012 and this year the Games will feature 10 swimmers from the Sunshine Coast, six males and four females.
The Coast team includes: Bob Sangster, Bruce McDonald, Fred Lerner, Manfred Baur, Tom West, Warren McCrimmon, Christine Chandler, Joan Humphries, Lucille Oakey and Mary Pinniger.
Zone four is the largest zone in the province, comprised of athletes from Burnaby, Delta, Ladner, New Westminster, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond, Tsawwassen, Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler and the Sunshine Coast.
The team from the Sunshine Coast forms 50 per cent of the zone four team.
"The majority of our team has been training throughout the winter. Our team is now in full competition mode with regular training sessions at the Sechelt Aquatic Centre," McDonald said.
- Submitted
