Taking a break from their 6 a.m. workout, these TSC swimmers will be competing at the Canadian Olympic Trials
Toronto Swim Club Head Age group coach Alex Wallingford and twenty one swimmers ages 14-17 have spent the last week here in Coronado training at the Brian Bent Memorial Complex. The athletes are high school students on their March break.
Toronto Swim Club Head Age Group Coach Alex Wallingford
Toronto Swim Club boasts about 300 swimmers who practice at a variety of pools at different high schools and at the University of Toronto. They are enjoying their time here as it offers an outdoor training opportunity. Their only chance to train outdoors at home is in the month of July, otherwise they only have access to indoor pools.
The swimmers who made the trip to Coronado have to be thirteen or older, meet a certain performance level and have the funds to pay for the trip. Coach Wallingford, who swam at the University of Michigan in college, has travelled to other sites before, like Miami and Hawai’i but this is his first time in Coronado. “Everyone has been very hospitable. The pool has been super and the staff great.” he offered.
He chose Coronado because of a friend who has a summer home here. The team has been staying at the locally owned and operated Crown City Inn. They spent Monday at the zoo and Wednesday at Sea World, plus a couple days at the beach. They have been swimming two times a day for a couple hours at a time. Their favorite eateries are Burger Lounge and Island Pasta. They all enjoyed Moo Time. Two of the male swimmers tried to conquer the “Crown Brownie” and lost! They told me it was awesome, but just too much to eat.
Toronto Swim Club swimmers take to the water at Brian Bent Memorial Complex in the early morning hours
There’s a small group of the swimmers who have qualified for the Canadian Olympic Trials. They made their Nationals qualifying time and will be competing for the experience. Coach Wallingford couldn’t decide on a favorite drill or set he gives his swimmers but mentioned that they do use fins and front facing snorkels for training. The fins provide support and help hold the technique of the stroke.
When asked if they would come back to Coronado if given the opportunity, the answer was a resounding YES! It was practically unanimous amongst the swimmers; the best thing about Coronado is the beach and the weather. They really enjoyed the warmth and sunshine or our town.
