The Cochrane Water Ninjas displayed their supreme skills in the water after taking home the Provincial Champion Banner from the 2024 Alberta and Northwest Territories Pool Lifesaving Championships and Junior Games that took place on April 5 and 6.
Fifteen Lifesaving Sport Clubs across Alberta gathered at the Brookfield YMCA in Calgary for the event. Lifesaving Sport tests athletic abilities alongside lifesaving techniques and use of rescue equipment. All skills are first learned to save lives then later developed into competitive sport.
This is governed by the Lifesaving Society of Alberta, which would see athletes compete in events like the Manikin Carry, Obstacle Relay, Line Throw, and Rescue Medley, all which challenge lifesaving skills against the clock.
The Ninjas garnered 23 Gold, 21 Silver, and 26 Bronze finishes. In addition, they also broke five provincial records, with assistant head coach, Patsy Lindsay, adding that the team did very well.
“Based on previous meets and practices, we knew they were prepared to perform; they showed up in every way, capturing 2,486 points to bring home first place overall,” Lindsay said.
Head Coach Alex Diep noted that this is the first time some of these Ninjas dipped their toes into a provincial level competition, and he is proud of what they accomplished.
“I am very proud of them for their performance at this event; many walked away with PB’s and several long-standing club records were shattered. It was fantastic to witness their growth and achievements throughout the season and this weekend was very reflective of their journey,” Diep said.
Although the provincial meet marks the end of the regular season, the Water Ninjas will continue to hone their skills for the Canadian Pool Lifesaving Championships that will take place in Victoria in June.
Last year, the team secured second at the competition, with four athletes hand-picked to be part of Team Canada at the Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships last September.
They hope that a few Water Ninjas will be chosen to be part of the national team that will compete at the Lifesaving World Championships 2024 at the Gold Coast, Australia, in August.
D.J. Ulriksen, the aquatic manager for the SLS Centre, said the achievements of the Water Ninjas speaks to the calibre of lifesaving training offered at the Jayman BUILT Aquatic Centre.
“Many of these athletes who are winning awards for their skill in lifesaving sport are the lifeguards and swim instructors that the community sees on deck in our facility,” Ulriksen said.
The Water Ninjas Lifesaving Sport Club regular season runs from September to mid-April. Try-outs for swimmers aged 5 through Adult Masters will be held in June.
