This year we have seen the resilience of our youth in the Chinook Swim Club.
When the Chinooks closed in March 2020 due to COVID, it was an emotional time for our club to be done with an unknown future.
We had just returned from provincials where all our athletes had performed best times and Eloise Allen had qualified for Olympic trials. We were scheduled to attend a training camp in Palm Springs with our provincial team and two other clubs from Vancouver.
The cancellation of these exciting opportunities was extremely disappointing for our swimmers.
The Chinooks were able to put aside these disappointments and focus on their future goals. We trained daily using Zoom, doing strength and conditioning as well as swimming specific yoga. Athletes used their self-determination to perform an hour of cardio a day on their own during lockdown.
When restrictions allowed, the swimmers moved to the lakes for 6 a.m. in-person training. In September, we were supported by the Sunshine Coast Regional District and our community by being able to return to the pool. These provincial athletes along with their teammates are training up to 17 hours a week.
Provincials and divisional championships were held virtually at the Sechelt Aquatic Centre in February and March in a manner that followed all public health orders.
Races were done during practice times, results were submitted to Swim BC and our athletes were ranked amongst all the other swimmers in the province.
We are very excited to share the success of our athletes with you after an incredibly challenging year.
Having faith that their hard work would pay off has been a huge lesson for these athletes who continue to improve their speed, strength, and conditioning.
We look forward to sharing the final championship results with you at the end of June.
Divisional Results
Rory Scott (15-17 age group): 4th in 1500 free (18:17.23), 6th in 200 fly (2:25.79) and 5th in 400 IM (5:06.03), 100 backstroke 1:08.63, 200 Breast 2:45.77
Ava Hynd (13-14 age group): 3rd in 50 fly (32.13), 7th in 200 IM (2:41.76), 3rd in 100 free (1:03.72), 3rd in 200 free (2:19.14), 1st in 50 back (31.96), 6th in 50 free (29.10)
Keira Hynd (12 and under) 200 backstroke 2:54.23
Francis Allen (12 and under) 100 Breast 1:32.50, 200 Backstroke 2:59.42
Robert Van Luven (13-14 age group) 100 backstroke 1:11.69, 200 backstroke 2:36.99
Provincial Results
Eloise Allen (15-17 age group): 3rd 200 BK (2:14.82), 3rd 100 Breast (1:11.44), 3rd 50 breast (33.61), 4th 400 IM (4:57.64), 3rd 100 bk (29.19), 4th 50 back (26.57), 2nd 200 Breast (2:33.39), 2nd 100 back (1:02.45), 5th 50 fly (29.13), 2nd 200 IM (2:17.69), 7th 100 free (58.33)
Ava Hynd (13-14 age group): 7th 100 back (1:07.52), 8th 200 Bk (2:25.46)
Genny Verge (Para): 2nd 100 free (1:18.98), 2nd 100 back (1:34.16), 2nd 200 free (2:54.39), 2nd 100 fly (1:29.87), 2nd 50 free (35.62)
The coaches of the Chinook Swim Club congratulate all these swimmers on their success.
