For more than four decades, young people in the valley have been splashing their way to accomplishment at the Drumheller Aquaplex competitively swimming.
The Canadian Badlands Aquatic Club is back in the water for another season. Last season was a struggle for the club because of COVID, but they still managed to work out ways of training and even competed in a virtual meet.
Morgan Syvertsen has been coaching for about 10 years, and says they have a good group coming back to the pool.
“We have as many or more than last year, all things considered. Mind you, they are very young, but that is how you grow a club,” said Syvertsen.
He said despite COVID last year the team spent more time in the water than most Alberta clubs.
“That was because of the cooperation of the pool staff and the town’s problem-solving. We worked around some of the obstacles and that kept us in the water. Our biggest disappointment is we didn’t get a chance to showcase our swimmers against other clubs,” he said.
The team spirit in the pool goes back more than four decades. Doug Wade was the first coach of the then Aquadinnies in 1975. He says in the early days, they had around 30 swimmers and three coaches. Gaye Ross was the president.
“There wasn’t as much for kids to do back in those days, so it was quite popular. The pool was new, and it was a novelty,’ said Wade.
In the first year, they swam in a meet in May, and then swam for the summer season. After that, they switched to the winter season. He coached for eight years.
He says he had some great swimmers through the club. He took swimmers as far away as Winnipeg to compete.
“Competitive swimming is one of the best sports you could ever do,” Wade said. “You can compare your results at 100 metres in water… they can all set their own personal time for them to achieve. It is all about beating yourself.”
Swimming mixes the best of team sport and individual accomplishment. Syvertsen sees that today.
“The team cheers you, but when you stand on that podium, you alone won that medal, Syvertsen said.
