Rob Harris, President
This is my second year as part of the CMSC Executive team and will serve as club president through the 2016-2017 season. I have been a member of CMSC since January 2011, when I ended a 28-year hiatus from the sport. I took this time to completely ignore any type of physical activity and drift completely out of shape. The decision to return to the pool was easier than I imagined and I have enjoyed every practice since then.
I have an extensive background in swimming starting with age group and continuing through my college and university days. I qualified for Nationals for the first time in 1979 and my last meet was the Nationals in 1983. Along the way I was a finalist at the Canada Games and managed to win a medal at the CIAU Nationals.
I then started volunteering as the head swim coach of my local club in Sydney, Nova Scotia for a couple of years. I also spent 1 year with swim coaching being my only source of income in Truro, Nova Scotia. When I moved from Nova Scotia in 1988, swimming moved out of my life until I joined CMSC.
Although I have not regained my competitive edge for racing yet, I thoroughly enjoy the camaraderie and friendships at each and every practice. Keeping track of the meters I swim on www.mymsc.ca has provided more than enough incentive.
I am looking forward to my 2-year term of president (and then 2 years as past president). My key focus will be to continue the growth of the club as a Sport Partner with the Talisman Centre and our relationship with the Calgary Patriots. This growth will help maintain the first rate training for our CMSC membership.
Brent Harvey, Vice President & Registrar
Heather Miller, Secretary
Michael Siarkowski, Meet Manager
Michael Siarkowski has been swimming competitively for the past 15 years, competing at local, national, and international competitions throughout his career. Born and raised in Calgary, Michael spent the majority of his swim career with the University of Calgary Swim Club before heading to the University of British Columbia to compete with the UBC Thunderbirds and eventually returning to Calgary to finish his varsity career with the University of Calgary Dinos. Continuing his passion for swimming with the Calgary Masters Swim Club, he hopes to set masters national records and podium finish at the world masters stage.
Michael has joined the CMSC executive board as Meet Manager to contribute and give back to the community that helped raise him to success.
Renee Nat, Communications
This is my second season with CMSC and first as part of the Executive Team! I am thrilled to have the opportunity to get involved with this great organization and connect with swimmers both new and returning.
I have been swimming Masters since 2006 in both Ontario and Alberta. I thought my competition days were long gone, but CMSC encouraged me to get back on the blocks and I look forward to improving this season!
Rob Wiebe, Treasurer
I am going in to my second year as treasurer and have been a CMSC member since 1990. I was a competitive swimmer as a child growing up and got as far as junior nationals finalist in 200 fly. I’ve lived all over the West, going to high school in Regina and university in Saskatoon.
I’m married and have three adult daughters, still living at home, and a geriatric Shelty who is definitely slowing down on our walks.
When not in the pool I love to ski in the winter and mountain bike in the summer.
I’m looking forward to lending a hand with the running of our club because after 25 years as a member it’s well overdue!
Julia Mercer, Member at Large
I’ve been with CMSC since 2013 and am happy to join the executive team as the Member at Large.
I’m originally from New Zealand, where I grew up in a swimming family – always trying to beat my older brother and trying to not let my younger sister beat me. I failed on both accounts!
My swimming background includes representing New Zealand at a number of minor events, as well as being part of the New Zealand Lifesaving team for a number of years, winning world titles in 2008 and 2010.
I really enjoy the CMSC group and feel fortunate to be part of a great group of swimmer.
Outside of swimming, I love getting out to the mountains: skiing in the winter, and hiking in the summer – my biggest excuse for not being at weekend practices!
Thanks!
Julia
Kevin Korpi, Past President
After my second year on the Club’s Executive, and for the next two years I will be serving as our Club’s Past President. I would like to thank the other Members of the Executive who have graciously volunteered their time, so we can all have a Club to be proud of.
I have been a Member of CMSC for the past 4 years and have been involved in swimming for about 13 years, first when my daughters were competitive swimmers, then as a Masters swimmer. I was a founding Member of the Prince George Barracuda Masters program and I served a two year stint as their Age Group Meet Manager.
Masters swimming has been good to me, helping me lose and keep off 50 pounds! I have met so many interesting people and made many new friends. I enjoy the intensity of the workouts, the social aspects, improving as a swimmer, and the overall atmosphere of being a CMSC Member.
I have always been a fitness swimmer, and at age 46, got talked into competing in my first swim meet . I had a blast and I am looking forward to racing some more this year. I encourage you all to give it a try.
Over the next two years, I look forward to building on the great work the previous Executives have done for our Club. I encourage everyone to voice their opinions on any issues, but specifically on our Long Term Direction that was presented to the Club at this year’s AGM. We are looking forward to your feedback on this as it will help all of us decide the right direction to take the Club in the future. The damage to Talisman Centre during the flood this summer is extremely unfortunate, and we are looking forward to getting back to training in there as soon as possible. Please be patient with us during this difficult time. Like you I am missing our regular swim schedule, and our fantastic training facility.
Dave Dickson has once again arranged for the club to train outdoors at Bowview pool this summer. Last year was a blast, and I invite you come out and give outdoor training a try, you won’t regret it. We are fortunate that Bowview has allowed us to acquire additional pool time during the repairs at Talisman and we are actively looking for other options for the remainder of the summer, and into the fall if necessary.
Here is to another great season and I look forward to seeing you all around the pool!
Kevin
Contact Leigh, Registrar, and she will give you the details
http://cmsc.ab.ca/about-us/contact-us/