The Cochrane Water Ninjas have been making waves-- and now, they’re ready to represent Canada on the international stage. Seven members of the local lifesaving team have been selected for Team Canada at the upcoming 2025 Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships in Swansea, Wales, but they need the community’s help to get there.
The Canadian Pool Lifesaving Championships that happened in early May served as a selection platform for Team Canada to choose representatives. With the Water Ninjas’ impressive performances, seven were named to national roles.
See related article: https://www.cochraneeagle.ca/local-news/cochrane-water-ninjas-ride-wave-of-success-to-seasons-end-10667414
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)
“It is obviously very exciting to have seven athletes being considered for this prestigious competition,” said head coach Alexx Diep. “Their preparation in the last few weeks have pushed their resiliency to a new level with heavily loaded training sets. They responded well to the training adaptations and will be in peak form on July 6 when they board the plane en route to Swansea.”
Team Canada represents the elite of Lifesaving sports. Only 20 athletes are chosen every year, and a quarter of it this year will be from Cochrane.
“As a coach, I am very pleased to have these seven swimmers be role models for our team,” Diep added. "We ask a lot from everyone on the team and it is important for me that the younger Water Ninjas see what their investment would look like a couple of years later.”
The 2025 RLSS Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships, to be held July 10 to 13 in Swansea, Wales. The swimmers estimate their cost to be $5,000 per athlete, covering essential travel, accommodations, meals, and competition fees.
“It's a really big trip,” said Dunse. “Life saving sport is still so small in Canada. It's relatively unknown and unsponsored. Not a lot of people know or talk about it so the athletes have to shoulder most of the cost.”
Dreaming of making it to Wales, the representatives of the Water Ninjas decided to turn to the community for support. With a goal of $25,000, they launched a GoFundMe campaign hoping to offset some of the cost. .
The campaign has raised over $2,000 to date. Dunse and the rest of the representatives thank the people who have shown support and are inviting others to help them make their dreams a reality.
“Every dollar counts. Whether it's $10 or $1,000, your support helps these young athletes train, travel, and compete at the highest level while representing both Cochrane and Canada with pride,” their campaign stated.
“We're going to try and keep that page open for as long as possible as our tour starts the July 6,” Dunse added.
To donate to their cause, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-send-cochranes-water-ninjas-to-represent-canada-on-the
