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FUN, FITNESS, FRIENDSHIP – From left, Sue MacKinnon and Victoria Ryan pose for a photo during the B.C. Masters Swimming Championships in Kelowna last weekend. Photo courtesy of VICTORIA RYAN
Ryan sweeps events as Graylings multiply at Masters Provincials
our years since her last provincials and in her first meet since her third child was born,
Four years since her last provincials and in her first meet since her third child was born, Yukon Graylings swimmer, Victoria Ryan showed the field that she is back in fine form.
Ryan, 41, won all of the events she entered, racing to a 28.61 finish time in the 50 free, 35.01 in the 50 back, 1:02.67 in the 100 free and 1:12.40 in the 100 IM.
“I wasn’t really sure what to expect,” said Ryan of her times. “I was pleasantly surprised.”
While the times she posted aren’t near the standards from her competitive swimming days, she said she is posting a new set of personal bests.
“I’m establishing the baseline for personal best times after my third kid,” she said.
The highlight of the meet for Ryan, was introducing the B.C. Masters Swimming Championships to first-time swim meet attendee and fellow Grayling, Sue MacKinnon.
“I think that was great,” said Ryan. “That was almost the best part.”
MacKinnon, 60, competed in her first meet at the big and bright H2O Adventure and Fitness Centre in Kelowna, B.C.
She finished sixth in her only event, the 50 free, touching the wall in 47.39.
“It’s a very friendly, open atmosphere,” said Ryan of the masters swim meet, which is for swimmers over the age of 18.
Many of the masters athletes are continuing to stay active after competitive swimming careers in their youth, and others are just learning to swim. All enjoy spending time in the water.
The Okanagan Masters Swim Club’s Betty Brussel, 93, set a new Canadian record (22:10.05) in the 800 free.
Ryan said that competitors were cheering her on to the finish, a testament to the atmosphere at masters swim meets.
“It’s competition, but it’s a happy place,” she said.
The Yukon Graylings Masters Swim Club has grown from a handful of swimmers in its first year to more than 40 now in its third year.
“It’s grown a lot,” said Ryan, who is one of the founding members.
She is hopeful that more members will be interested in attending meets.
“I just hope more people would like to try it out,” she said. “I think it would be amazing to have a relay.”
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