By Lisa Parent

Alberta Marlin Aquatic Club swimmers break club records, set sights on Westerns

Mar 14, 2024 | 5:33 PM

Being a part of the Alberta Marlin Aquatic Club is hard work. The swimmers practice eight days in water plus two days of dryland training each week.

“Balancing school and swimming can be tough and a little bit stressful to try and make time for it, but I try to make it work as best as I can,” said 15-year-old swimmer Rowynn Biffart

However, strong connections and friendships with other club members might make it easier.

“Well, some of these people are like my best friends, so yeah, I love them all, they’re all awesome,” added Biffart.

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On top of practices, AMAC athletes frequently travel together on weekends for swim meets across Alberta.

Last weekend marked their first championship meet of the year, the 2024 Swim Alberta Long Course Provincial Championship, where many club records were broken.

Twelve-year-old Masao Mori broke five.

“Everyone in my group did goal sheets and everyone essentially exceeded them, so then we had to do a second set of goal sheets just for the provincial meets,” said Mori.

According to Marlins coach Jordan Harper, Mori’s a record-breaking regular.

“The joke around him when he’s on deck is…’oh, best time! ‘Cause we’ll do sets where he’s doing best times every day,” said Harper.

At Provincial Championships, 14-year-old Caen McWilliams qualified for Westerns in 200-metre backstroke.

McWilliams will head to Winnipeg for Westerns next week, along with Rowynn Biffart.

“It’s mostly just soaking in the experience, I’m just happy to be there,” McWilliams told CHAT News.

Coach Harper says he’s happy with the results of the championship meet, but emphasizes the importance of how it positively influences their lives beyond the water.

“Some guys are going to be a little bit more skilled than others, some guys are going to find an easier path in the water, but everybody that’s in here has the same opportunity to set up working skills, dedication and discipline,” explained Harper.

“Those are the things that are going to benefit them far beyond what they can do in the pool.”

The next swim meet for the AMAC is the Pronghorn Classic in Lethbridge this weekend.