What is speed swimming all about?

Speed swimming is racing through water. What is amazing is that our swimmers can be very fast, but do it with grace and style. There is nothing like watching a confident swimmer rise out of the water in a perfect Butterfly reach and dive down with the most minimal amount of splash. For the swimmer, it is equally exciting, the feeling of the water rushing by you, quiet, until your ear leaves the water and the roar of the crowd spurs you to reach further, kick harder and push for the finish.

Speed swimmers are racing against the stopwatch, but with perfect technique in 5 different events:

The Butterfly
The Backstroke
The Breaststroke
The Freestyle
And finally, all 4 strokes combined into the Individual Medley

As swimming is obviously an individual sport, the relay adds another dimension to the sport with 4 swimmers on a team to race against the clock.

Our swimmers start as early as 4 years old, being able to swim 25 meters (one length) unassisted on either their front or back. From there they learn the proper technique of each stroke, swimming short distance, unjudged races until the age of 7. Then they are introduced to longer (50 to 100 meter) races where technique becomes more important and disqualifications are allowed. Swimmers then move up through the different age groups to the unlimited category after age 19. Our competitors can go to any age, the only restriction…you gotta love the water!!

Our summer swim season begins the first week of May at the Outdoor Centennial Swimming Pool in Abbotsford, and runs until the middle of August. Swim Meets, are held on weekends all spring and summer around the Fraser Valley ending with a Provincial Swim Meet where the top 3 in each age group and event, meet to claim the best of the summer medals against the other regions of British Columbia.

Even after all the talk of competition and speed, the most important part of our Summer Swim Club is FUN.  The benefits of a healthy body and great friendships are only some of the perks of joining a Swim Club. Our club strives to be a family orientated, fun activity that all members can be involved in. From cheering on the team, to helping out on the pool deck during swim meets, everyone gets involved.