MIAMI, Fla. – Two of the newest members to Swimming Canada’s Para-swimming Intensive Training Program – Québec rounded out their weekend on a high note.

By the end of the 2016 Can-Am Open, neither Camille Bérubé nor Danielle Kisser finished any lower than second place in their respective events. On the final day of competition, Bérubé had her third fastest-ever time in the SM8 200-m IM, while Kisser finished just over two seconds from her entry time in the S6 100-m freestyle.

“To be able to swim at my best in certain events at this time of the season is a pretty big improvement,” said 21-year-old Bérubé. “I really compare it to where I was at this time last year, and I’m much, much faster so that’s a positive, for sure.”

Kisser, who turns 20 in December, was also pleased with the weekend’s events.

“I knew I wasn’t going to be going best times because we’re right at the beginning of the season,” she said, “so I was just looking at trying to be as close to my times as I was at the end of last summer, and executing my races tactically and technically really strong.

“I think I did that, so I’m pretty happy with my performances.”

Both of these athletes demonstrate that a swimmer’s journey can be anything but predictable.

Since being named to the Rio Paralympic team a mere seventeen days before her actual race, Bérubé has done her fair share of travelling. Upon her return in Canada, the Gatineau native has been training part-time with PSITP-Q in Montreal, on top of studying full-time at the University of Ottawa, which acts as another training hub.

“I took some time off after the Games to get my stuff organized and get back to school,” she said.

Practices have been intense, but Bérubé has had several positive things to say about the transition.

“It comes with its challenges,” she said when referring to her busy schedule, “but with regards to how I swam this weekend, I think there’s definitely something we’re doing right.

“I’m really looking forward to what’s next with all of it.”

Kisser, who moved across the country from Delta, B.C., underwent surgery in 2014 that involved breaking and re-adjusting bones in her lower legs and ankles. The recovery process took longer than anticipated, but Kisser is happy with the progress she has made.

“I’m technically swimming really well,” she said. “It’s just now about getting fitter, getting stronger, and just trusting that I can perform well and that everything will fall into place.”

Kisser explained that trusting in her abilities has been a struggle of hers since the surgery, but Can-Ams has really allowed her to appreciate the experience as a whole.

“I had a lot of fun at this meet,” she said. “It wasn’t really stressful; I enjoyed swimming.

“If I can take that, and just know that racing is fun and taking that into the next hard months of training, I think it’ll be really good for Trials.”

With the 2017 Speedo Can-Am Para-Swimming Championships just over four months away, Bérubé and Kisser are among several athletes who are excited to get back into training before they take on the international stage once again in Windsor.

Other Can-Am Highlights from day three:

·       Gabby Baird finished off a great competition with another win in the 100-m backstroke.

·       Justine Morrier went six-for-six in terms of gold medals, earning her last two in the S14 50-m backstroke and 200-m IM.

·       Philippe Vachon swam to a best time in the SM9 200-m IM en route to a second place finish.

·       Riley McLean had a strong final race, finishing within one second of his entry time in the S4 100-m freestyle.