A pair of Winskil Dolphins have been taking their talent to international waters as they continue their rapid ascend into world class Paralympian swimmers.
Dalton Boon and Magnus Batara recently returned from a two-week trip to Vernona, Italy where they participated in a national team training camp and represented Canada at the Global Games - a multi-sport competition for athletes with mental disabilities.
Competing in the S14 para swimming classification, both swimmers more than held their own on the world stage against older and more experienced athletes. Boon, who is just 17, advanced to the final in the 200 metre freestyle and also performed well in relay events. Magnus, 19, showed terrific form in the breaststroke, his speciality, helping Canada place fifth in the medley relay.
Both didn't have to look far to see a familiar face offering encouraging words from the pool deck. The Canadian team support staff included Dolphins assistant coach Amy Canuel.
"They have both been rising through the ranks of para swimming in Canada and got to the point where they have been placing nationally," explained Canuel. "This trip was to get a little bit of international racing experience against some of the fastest S14 swimmers that are out there in the world."
Boon has shown tremendous promise since joining the Dolphins last year.
A productive summer included capturing two golds at the Western Canada Games in Kamloops. His decision to sign up with Winskill, reunited him with Canuel who worked with him in past years with the Ladner Stingrays summer swim club.
He will soon be heading off to Arizona for another national team training camp then competing for Canada at next month's Para Pan Am Games in Mexico. He will also participate in another Can Am event in December, in what will be his final test before the 2012 Para Olympic Games qualification meet in March. Although the 2016 Games in Rio de Janerio would have Dalton competing in the prime of his swimming career, Canuel hasn't ruled out the Tsawwassen teen going to London next August.
"The fact he has only been (competitive) swimming for one year gives him quite an advantage over other competitors," explained Canuel. "Where they are improving by inches, he's doing it by leaps and bounds. The fastest in the world in the 200 free is 2: 05. Dalton is at 2: 20 but has been taking two to three seconds off at a time. He will just keep chipping away at it."
A trip to London is also within Batara's reach. The Richmond resident joined the Dolphins this year, just to work with Canuel and have another S14 training mate.
"This is all about what is going to help kids reach their goals and this was the best fit fit for him. Magnus coming here just made sense," said Canuel.
"He is a great breaststroker and on the cusp of being one of the fastest in Canada."
Canuel added she is grateful she was given the time away from the club' provincial age group swimmers to be part of the Canadian coaching staff in Italy.
"I have given them a lot of one-on-one attention and the club is so supportive," she said. "It was cool to be there and part of Team Canada. It certainly got me all fired up to get these boys ready for what lies ahead the rest of the season."
