The Cochrane Water Ninjas wrapped up their 2024–25 season in spectacular fashion at the Canadian Pool Lifesaving Championships, bringing home an impressive 22 medals—11 gold, five silver, and six bronze—from the national competition held May 9–11 at the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre.
Competing against 211 athletes from 16 teams across Canada, the Ninjas delivered dominant performances, particularly in team relay events.
“Our relay teams' success, capturing five out of six possible gold medals, underscores the depth and proficiency in both our boys' and girls' programs,” said Coach Alexx Diep. “The girls' team's perfect performance in the 200m Super Lifesaver and 50m Manikin Carry, with each swimmer achieving personal bests, is particularly commendable.”
Oliver Johnson, Caebri Smith, and Danica Fisher posted performances that may break current provincial records, pending official verification.
A highlight of the competition came from the girls’ relay team—Sydney Carnegie, Maisy Goertzen, Rylee Bashow, and Danica Fisher—who swept all relay events in the 15–18 age group, capturing gold in each.
The national championship also served as a selection platform for Team Canada ahead of the 2025 RLSS Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships, to be held July 10–13 in Swansea, Wales. This year, seven Water Ninjas were named to national roles—three more than in 2023—marking a significant milestone for the program.
Selected athletes include:
- Open Division: Jack Dunse, Isaac Thibodeau
- Youth Division: Danica Fisher, Oliver Johnson, Caebri Smith
- Alternates: Rylee Bashow, Corbin Gilbert (expected to compete at the Orange Cup in the Netherlands this December)
“Having seven athletes selected for the Commonwealth Championships reflects our team's growth and the effectiveness of our training processes,” added Diep.
For more information on the Cochrane Water Ninjas and how to get involved, visit: slscentre.com/leagues-and-clubs.
