By Ella Milloy

QUEBEC – Cheers of support echoed through Laval University’s sport complex as Masters swimmers gathered from across the country to compete at the 2022 Speedo Masters Canadian Swimming Championships Friday in Quebec City. After the challenges of COVID-19 over the past two years, the Masters community arrived in force to celebrate perseverance, athleticism and sportsmanship.

The last Masters national championship occurred in 2019. Masters swimmers have had to adapt to the uncertainties presented by the pandemic. Pool closures due to public health measures meant athletes were often in and out of the water for extended periods of time.

At times, Marc Vaillancourt of Maîtres St-Laurent found it challenging to find motivation to train with no competitions. Vaillancourt started swimming with his CEGEP team at 16. Originally, he wanted to play water polo, but his school only offered swimming, and 22 years later Vaillancourt is still competing as a swimmer.

“It’s very motivating to train when we know there’s a meet coming up,” Vaillancourt said. “During COVID, we trained to stay in shape, but it was hard to find the motivation. It’s fun to compete. We get to see people we know from other clubs. It’s really great to be at the Masters Championships.”

Lisa Riff joined the Halifax Trojan Masters program after coming to Canada from France. Riff’s mother, a swim coach, encouraged her and her sisters to learn how to swim so they could play safely in the ocean. Riff soon started competing in swimming and never stopped. With a background in modern pentathlon, Riff enjoys the racing environment, especially alongside her Trojan teammates.

“Everyone is so happy to compete again and to see people,” Riff said. “To feel this tension and this pressure. We’re here as a team so it’s better than being on your own. I feel like everyone has this sense of belonging to the team. We have shirts, we take pictures and we share on social media. We’re here to win medals as a [group].”

Jennifer Gardiner of the Regina Masters Swim Club swam as an age grouper for 15 years. Gardiner has been training as a Masters swimmer since 2012. As a teacher, swimming is something to look forward to outside of work and she enjoys getting to share her passion for lifelong fitness with her students.

Gardiner is preparing to swim six events at her sixth Masters national championships. For her, racing is exciting. It is also nerve-wracking.

“It’s super exciting,” Gardiner said. “It’s a different kind of nervous this time. [Before COVID], I was nervous because I wanted to do well. Now I’m nervous because I don’t know how I’m going to do.”

Participants on deck and in the stands expressed gratitude for the opportunity to support a like-minded community while pursuing their fitness and performance goals. Laughing and chatting on deck, Gardiner and her teammates reflected the energy of the competition.

“We’re just so happy and so thankful that we were able to come back after three years,” Gardiner said.