Kamloops Sports Council
Getting to know our Local Sport Organizations
Kamloops Aquatic Club (KAC),
Kamloops Classic Swimming,
Kamloops Masters Swimming,
SwimSkill Lesson,
Swim Play Summer Camps
Can you tell us a little about your club and what your club does?
KAC has 4 separate arms within the Club. They are as follows with a brief description:
- Kamloops Classic Swimming: Competitive and recreational swimming for children 6 to 22 yrs of age ranging from a novice level up to the Olympic level swimmer. This program in the club has roughly 115 swimmers.
- Kamloops Masters Swimming: Competitive and recreational swimming for adults 18 to 90 years of age. This program has 35 members and they train 1 to 4 times a week. The level of swimmers range from learning to swim, to adults competing at Masters Nationals
- SwimSkill Lessons: A learn to swim program for children 5 to 12 years of age. The program has 5 levels and the program runs 3 sessions every year (Fall/Winter/Spring) Beginning with children who can float to young children 6 - 7 who are ready to join the Kamloops Classic Swim Club.
- Swim & Play Summer Camps: A learn to swim program for children 5 to 12 years of age. The program has 5 levels and offers 6 one-week camps during the summer. Each camp has half and full-day options for children. Children who can float are eligible for this program. Each day the camp is broken into a number of activities: Swimming Lessons/Dryland Games/Cardboard boat building/water guns and science activities.
How long has your club been active and operating?
The Kamloops Aquatic Club has been operating in Kamloops since 1972.
Where does your club do the majority of training?
The majority of the KAC swimming/training takes place at the Canada Games Pool (CGP). However, during the CGP renovations the club will be swimming at the Brocklehurst Outdoor Pool and the Westsyde Swimming Pool.
Describe your club athletes in one word.
Citizens
What are your proudest club accomplishments or achievements that you'd like to highlight?
This year (2020) we had 11 swimmers qualified for the 2020 Canadian Olympic Swimming Trials. Of the 11, 10 swimmers were committed to attending. Back when I took over the Head Coaching position with Kamloops, I had a Regional Coaches Meeting where I stated one of my goals for Kamloops was to have 5 swimmers competing at the Canadian Senior Nationals. I was laughed at.
What has your club been working on lately?
Zoom Dryland Sessions and Zoom Sport Psych Sessions (Meditation breathing and relaxation/Visualization Stroke/Race Strategy and Goal Setting for the fall)
What is an inspiring moment that you've witnessed from one of your athletes or coaches?
Ryley McRae dropping 55 seconds off of his best 1500 Freestyle time and making the Canadian Junior National Team and being world ranked in the top 25, 18 & Under Males.
What are some of your club's future goals?
Next year to be back at the same performance and membership levels that we were at in March 2020. Our facility has been shut down for 7 months because of COVID and for renovations.
Who are some volunteers that you'd like to highlight in your club community for their work and dedication?
Chris Cameron - Current Club President. Lianne Milobar, Aletta Ackermann and Karyn Sutherland previous Past Presidents with the club and Nancy Flood from TRU. All these people have committed a significant amount of time to build a successful club.
What are you missing the most about the regular operations of your club during these times during the pandemic?
Talking to the kids and having them working out.
Where would you like to see a positive change in Kamloops sport and why?
In the City of Kamloops, I have always maintained that we are very good at supporting our Professional/Elite Athletes and the Grassroot programs. However, there is way more that could be done to support our 13/14 & Over athletes that are trying to become elite. (Pool space/Dryland space and an integrated academic sports program in the City). With the CGP about to be renovated the City is down to only 14 lanes of pool space available to be used (8 Outdoors and 6 indoors). This is not near enough for a City of this size and for either the athletes trying to become elite or the Seniors in the community. We need more water space!
What do you think makes Kamloops a great sporting community?
The volunteers and leaders in Kamloops are generally very progressive when it comes to sport. I'm lucky to generally have a very good working relationship with our facility.
Tell us something that not everyone would know about your club?
Each year we generally have about 500 people/members in Kamloops involved in our program. Although we get lots of accolades for the high-level performance, we also have a lot of people (old and young) who are learning to swim for the recreational side of having a healthy life skill. Secondly, our focus throughout the club is: "Developing Citizens one stroke at a time".
How do people connect with the club (website, email, social, etc.) to learn more and get involved?
KCS Website
KCS Facebook
Swimskill Lesson Program
Swim Skill Link
Kamloops Masters Swimming
Lastly: our coaches are always approachable on deck for more information during workouts.
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re there any general comments you would like to share?
Swimming in Kamloops is doing really well! However, we need more water space for all to continue to grow the sport and develop healthy lifestyle
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