By Ryan Cane, National Recreation Manager (Ottawa)

Army and Air Force Swimmers prepare for their swim in one of several relay events as part of the first ever CF National Swimming Championship held in Nepean, Ottawa.

The starting gun fires, swimmers dive into the pool, plough through the waves to the finish line and the announcer declares a winner. It might seem like any other swimming event, but scanning the pool you will notice the Army, Navy and Air Force t-shirts, a CISM logo and a Support Our Troops towel. Welcome to the 2009 Canadian Forces National Swimming Championship. 

“It was a very proud weekend,” says Lieutenant-Commander Bruce Forrester.  “Having this competition to work towards has made me more committed and energized. Having an event at this level has made me focus on my training and train harder.”

All the hard work and smelling of chlorine paid off, he jokes; LCdr Forrester took home gold medals in 1500m Free and 400m Free events. His successes were just some of the many CF athletes had over the course of the 3 day event. The shared comment made by the swimmers was how excited they were to finally have a National Swimming Championship within the CF Sports Program.

“It was a great event used by our top CF Swimmers in preparation for the upcoming 2009 Swimming & Lifesaving World Military Championship scheduled for August of this year in Montreal,” says Mike Doucet, National Sports Manager with the Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support Services.  “This is another event that showcases excellence in military fitness and the important role sports play in the morale and welfare program.”

The events were held at the Nepean Sportsplex, March 20 to 23, and were hosted by the Nepean Masters Swim Club as part of the Ontario Masters Swimming Championships. Most of the CF Swimmers competed under the CF Masters Swim Team (CFST) and the team performed very well. There were over 500 swimmers from 60 swim clubs present at the Championships and CFST finished in 2^nd place.

For LCrd Forrester whose wife wants to build him an aquarium to live in, the event had special meaning. “It was remarkable, other swimmers at the meet would come up to us and thank us for being part of the CF and cheered us on in the pool,” he says.  “The CF organizers did an outstanding job, thank you.”

CF Personnel and Family Support Services oversees the CF National Sports Program, and 19 National championships in a wide range of sports each year. For detailed scoring and photographs of the championships visit www.cfpsa-borden.ca.
 

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MW Team Updates • Director General Personnel & Family Support Services
April 2009 • Serving Those Who Serve • www.cfpsa.com