Making Waves: The Story of JAC’s Swim Team
Written by Noémie Lalonde
Edited By Anna Dostie
Contributors
Over the years, Islanders have set the standard with their various teams. Many could tell you about the rise of the successful Women’s Hockey team or the dominance of the Football team on the field, but how many of you could tell us more about the swim team? Probably less than the number of championships they have won. Even though they are not portrayed this way at Abbott, the JAC swim team is a ferocious competitor in the RSEQ circuit. Having had at least two swimmers on the All-Stars list for the past 10 years as well as more than 10 provincials banners in a row, the yellow caps know how to dominate in the pool. Let’s dive into their world!
A life dedicated to the pool
Many of the members of the team have been swimming since they could take lessons as toddlers. For others, their love for water grew with water polo, diving, synchro or competitive lifeguarding, and they naturally ended up competing in the pool. But what is it that makes it so addictive? For some, it is the idea of constantly pushing past your limits: “Pushing myself and the feeling of accomplishment with something that isn’t work or school,” explained Melissa Guenette. For others, it’s the connection with people and the discipline that comes with it:
The feeling of accomplishment and the pride of surpassing your expectations while being surrounded by people you enjoy being with is a massive part of what makes this sport so amazing!
In-n-out of the water
Swimming is one of the sports that often necessitates many days of double practice. Most swimmers wake up at the crack of dawn and finish their first practice of the day before most people even wake up. It’s an unusual schedule, but most of them get used to it. There is a sense of pride that comes with getting up early and getting things done: “There’s just something about knowing practice will be tough, but going through it with others. We’re blasting good music, and everyone around you is giving it their all, and any five-second break is enough to cheer for others and just… face the difficulties together? It’s a lot of fun,” said Anna Dostie. Even though this sport may look like an individual discipline, it really is the team that brings it together… On the bad days, like the good ones !!
The need to succeed
Like any other sport, swimming comes with its own challenges. One of them is the pressure involved with the performance of swimmers. The main concern of swimmers is time. How much do I need to drop to qualify? How much did I add today? How can I cut 0.25 seconds off my personal best? While some think that competitive swimming is no different than swimming laps like a grandma (no offence to the amazing grandmas that swim), most would agree the constant effort athletes are putting in is enough to prove them wrong! Any swimmer who has experienced the competitive scene would agree that this sport takes a great deal of dedication, in and out of the pool, to perform better than the previous one.
Overall, swimmers are all-rounded athletes who dedicate much of their lives to their passion. Their ability to devote themselves to their sport is reflected in their relationships, where they are often loyal friends that stay by your side, even with their packed schedule! Feel free to ask them to share more of their world with you so you can understand them better. And bring them snacks !!
