As part of the commitment to long-term athlete development and the "swim to win" initiatives, Swim BC selects swimmers from each club and brings them together in each region for a training camp.
The first Vancouver Island Regional (VIR) Camp was for swimmers aged 10 and under. Gabrielle Wolfe was selected to represent the Comox Valley Aquatic Club at the camp which was held Jan. 15 at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre in Duncan.
Besides working with the provincial and club coaches on drills and skills, the swimmers also attended lectures on various topics. Wolfe really enjoyed meeting two-
time Olympian Christin Petelski, who talked to the swimmers about her swimming career, experiences, adventures, and her Olympic journeys.
The second VIR Camp was held at the Saanich Commonwealth Pool in Victoria last weekend. Club coaches helped the provincial coach Vince Mikuska
and regional coach Mike Flegel deliver an intense two-day program that covered drills for all the strokes.
Representing Comox were: Ben Neufeld, Jordyn Ryan, Brooke Lamoureux, Cheyenne Lindsay, Kaitlin Lindsay, and Mikhaila Lindsay.
Besides the pool sessions, the swimmers attended lectures on nutrition by Susan Boegman, mental skills by Christie Gialloreto, and motivational sessions by four-time Olympian Joanne Malar.
Malar entertained the swimmers with tales of her past – her early success, making her first Olympic team, being ranked number one in the world, to making a comeback for her last Olympic Games. Judging by the smiles, everyone had a great time.
For more information or to keep up on the Sharks achievements visit their website at www.sharks.bc.ca.