The Canadian Badlands Aquatic Club (CBAC) is another team affected by the new COVID-19 restrictions.
Last season the club was having a great year, and coach Morgan Syvertsen says just days before the initial lockdown was announced in March, all of his swimmers had qualified for provincials. Due to the restrictions, they were not able to compete and were only able to get back in the pool this fall to train. This too was fleeting.
“Because of the AHS announcement, all team sports, which includes swimming, was put on hold until December 18, and that is our Christmas break anyway, so we are essentially done for the month,” said Syvertsen.
He has since learned they may be able to do some training.
“I got a call from Andrea at the pool, and she said the pool is able to allow one swimmer and one coach at a time to train. We’ll probably take them up on this, it’s better than nothing,” he said.
Despite the break, he said his team has been performing well.
“This year, I don’t know
what it is, but all the kids are doing so good. They are already obviously faster than they were last year,” he said. “We were so looking forward to some competition so we could get a real test, but now we are lucky to get into the pool.”
He doesn’t know if the team will be able to compete this year, but they are looking at some solutions, including virtual meets.
“You would essentially race the same people in your own pool who are in your own club, so you really don’t get a chance to be pushed by anybody else, which is unfortunate,” said Syvertsen.
