2017 – Conny breaks Canadian masters swim record

Kelowna, BC  February 11, 2017  –  Setting a new Canadian record for the 200 metre long course backstroke in age group 85-89, Conny Stamhuis of Okanagan Masters Swim Club (OMSC) showed that her 2016 induction into the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame was well deserved. She achieved the new record in Victoria, BC in a time of 4:52.88, knocking eight full seconds off the previous record.  Stamhuis, 85, also set a new British Columbia 50 metre  long course breaststroke record in a time of 1:04.28 at the same meet.

Stamhuis started with Masters swimming following retirement from her career as a nurse, after a break of 48 years from competitive swimming as a teenager in the Netherlands. OMSC coach Sally Wallick said, “Conny is an unbelievable inspiration to all of us. She is always at training even when she’s experienced really difficult circumstances. Having started swimming relatively late in her life, Conny is living proof that swimming is a lifetime sport. It is much gentler on the body than anything else and masters swimming provides an environment of camaraderie and support.”

OMSC will be hosting the 2017 BC Masters Provincial Swimming Championships from 21-23 April, and hopes to attract more than 200 swimmers and their families to the Okanagan.  Meet manager Norma Lachance expects to have registration open during the first week of March.

The philosophy of Masters swimming is to promote fun, fitness, health, fellowship and participation amongst adult swimmers 18 and older. For more information on joining OMSC contact Greg Harris at registrar@okmasters.com

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