This past weekend, the Waveriders took a team of 19 to compete in Williams Lake for the final short-course meet of the season, netting some hardware and new personal bests.
"I'm so impressed with their technical swimming – every single one of them went above and beyond," coach Jerrit Brink said.
"We got a lot of wins but its how the swimmers executed them that I'm most thrilled with."
The age groups for most events were: eight and under, nine, ten, 11-12 and 13 and over, which made it pretty tough for the 13/14 year-old swimmers who were often competing against 16-17 year-olds. It didn't really matter, however, because they always swim for personal bests.
Highlights of the weekend for the Waveriders were the 200 IM, where several swimmers were trying to break the four-minute time standard that would allow them to enter more meets in the province; also the 400 Free where several swimmers set a goal to beat the eight-minute mark; and finally the 100 IM showdown, which the older swimmers had to qualify for by being in the top six times for their age groups in the 200 IM on Saturday. The 100 IM showdown was called out by an announcer and the crowd absolutely thundered for every one of these races.
Gavin Currie, eight, came in second in 200 Breast and First in 100 Breast and 50 Free. She also came 5th in the 400 Free for 10 and under and sixth in 200 Back. She reached the goals in the 200 IM and 400 free and got three personal bests.
Grace Currie, 11, was in the top ten for four of her races. She reached the goals in the 200 IM and 400 free and got four personal best times.
Brianna Forster, 11, was competing for the first time and she came 11 in the 50 Free and 18 in the 100 Breast for 11-12 year old girls.
Natasha Hanson, 13, came third in her 50 Free and second in 200 Breast and the 100 IM showdown. She was also top six in three other events.
Darby O'Hara, 10, was in the top 8 of all 10 year-olds for all of her races. She reached the goals in the 200 IM and 400 Free and she got two personal bests.
Boroka Peter, seven, was in events that put her in the 10 and under category only. She came in 9th in the 200 breast and sixth in 200 Free.
Emerie Watson, 12, was fourth in the 200 Breast, third in 100 Breast, second in the 100 IM showdown and the 200 IM and first in 50 Free, 400 Free and 200 Back. She also qualified for another AA time in the 200 Back. Emerie also got four personal bests.
Luca Armstrong, eight, was top five in all of his events. He came in third in 100 Breast, second in 100 Free and first in 50 Free and 100 Back. He reached the goal for the 400 Free. He also got three personal bests.
Sonny Cervienka, 16, was top three in all of his events. He came third in 100 Fly, second in 50 Free, and first in 100 Free, 200 Free, 100 Breast and 200 Breast. Sonny got four personal bests.
Garnet Currie, 13, came second in 100 Breast and first in 100 Fly, 200 IM and the 100 IM showdown. He got three personal bests.
Harrison Fillion, 12, - swam in his first meet ever and was in the top ten for all of his events. He came first in 200 Free and he reached the sub-8 minute goal for 400 Free.
Keldon Forster, nine, also did his first meet ever and came in 4th in 50 Free.
Logan Godsoe, 11, was in the top 10 in all of his events. He came second in 50 Free and first in 100 Free. He had only competed in two of his events previously, and got personal best times in each of them. He reached the goal for the 400 Free time.
Austin Novak, 8, was in the top six for all of his events. He reached the goal for the 400 free time. He came second in 100 Breast and first in 100 Free. He had two personal best times.
Braden Novak, six, came seventh in the 50 free for eight and under.
Ryley O'Hara, 11, was top 10 in four of his events. He came seventh in 50 Free and 200 Back. He reached the goal in the 400 Free.
Seth Reddemann, ten, was top five in all of his events. He came in third in 100 Free and 400 Free, and first in 100 Breast. He also reached the 400 Free goal.
Brad Swyers, 14, was top seven in all of his events. He came in third in 100 and 200 Breast. He got three personal bests.
Billy Swyers, 10, was top three in all of his events. He came third in 50 Free, second in 400 Free, 200 Back and 100 IM and first in 100 Free and 100 Back. He got three personal best times and he now has reached 'A' standard provincial times for 11 and under.