The Richmond Rapids Swim Club competed at the Swim BC Short Course AA Championships last weekend in Surrey, BC. The meet is one of the last of the short-course season, so the Rapids were looking to put training into action against clubs from all around the province.

“There were two goals,” said Head Assistant Coach Drew McClure. “The first is to get some experience in a heats and finals scenario, where swimmers must be fast in the morning to make finals, and then try to improve their races at night. The second is to push swimmers to qualify for AAAs.”

AAs is considered a last-chance qualification meet before AAA Provincial Championships, the highest level of BC-only competition in the season. Athletes are required to achieve time standards to attend, which are specific to age, gender, and event. Over the weekend, the Rapids had six new AAA qualifiers: Dini McIver, Amanda McCallum, Darren Ge, Lionel Hand, Jenna McDonald, and Angela Gu, pushing their total number of AAA qualifiers past 40.

The meet was also a success in standings, showing the club’s ability to convert to strong races under pressure and fatigue.

“This is the first time some of the kids have been in finals, or they’re qualifying for more finals than they have before. That’s a major learning experience, racing that much. It takes a lot of mental toughness, and it’s trial by fire,” says McClure.

The Rapids came home with 32 medals, 27 individual and 5 relay. Individual medalists are listed below.

The Rapids journey to Victoria on February 28^th to race BC’s best. For more information about the meet and the club, visit richmondrapids.com, or email [email protected].