by Rich Cole

UVic swimmer Stephanie Dixon shocked the crowded Commonwealth Place last weekend as she broke two World Records. The University of Victoria athlete smashed the 200 and 400 meter Individual Medley disabled world marks.

"I had some unbelievable swims," said Dixon recalling her races at the Vancouver Island Regional Championships meet. "Moments like this confirm that I've made the right decision of coming to train with UVic and PCS."

The labour dispute at BC Ferries impacted the attendance at the UV-PCSA Christmas Cracker, however the lone Vancouver based team to attend spoke loudly.

After taking a passenger only ferry to Nanaimo and then bussing to Victoria, the UBC Dolphin Swim Club shattered two 12 and Under Male Canadian Relay records. Andrew Conroy, Marko Gavric, Hong-Kei Chan, Hong-Ting Chan took a whopping 9 seconds off the Canadian 4x100 Medley Relay and also set a new Canadian standard in the 4x50 Medley relay. The UBC Dolphins 13-14 Woman's 4x100 Medal Team also set a new Provincial standard.

Over 350 swimmers from Vancouver Island, Lower Mainland and Alberta will compete in the University of Victoria Pacific Coast Swimming Association's Christmas Cracker 12-14. Competing will be many of Pacific Coast Swimming's Age Group stars as well as the full senior squad of university and high school athletes.

UV-PCSA athletes and coaches were honoured at the inaugural Canadian Swimming Awards Banquet held in Quebec City. Ron Jacks, UV-PCSA Director of Swimming, was recognized as the Open Water Coach of the Year. Joining him on the platform was Karley Stutzel who picked up the Open Water Swimmer of the Year award. Also getting in on the awards was Stephanie Dixon, who was honoured with the Female SWAD swimmer of the Year trophy.

UV-PCSA attacked the waters of the Comox Valley Sports Centre with a small but dedicated group! Miyah and Tyler Hoesly swam in their first meet for UV-PCSA and both achieved 100% best times!

Melissa has agreed to join the Pacific Coast Swimming coaching staff effective immediately. Melissa previously coached for the Juan de Fuca Coho swim club and will be opening a new Lightning Fast Swim Series program for PCS, based out of the University of Victoria.

The full force of University of Victoria and Pacific Coast Swimming Association (UV-PCSA) was felt over the weekend at the Pacific Cup meet at Saanich Commonwealth Pool. UV-PCSA swimmers at all levels had an excellent meet resulting in PCS winning the overall team title by nearly 900 points.  An improvement of nearly 200 points from last years meet.

Victoria, B.C. - The University of Victoria and Pacific Coast Swimming announced today that they have received formal approval for the formation of a new partnership between the University of Victoria Vikes Swim Team and the Pacific Coast Swimming Club.

The top swimmer from Zambia from 1996 - 2003 has joined the coaching staff of Pacific Coast Swimming.  Ellen Hight will be coaching with the Olympic Trials, Varsity and various club groups throughout the year. Attending the National Coaching Institute at the University of Victoria on a Commonwealth Scholarship, Ellen recently completed a Batchelor of Science with Honors in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Bath in England and was appointed a Sports Ambassador in 2003 and was the Zambian National Swimming Coach in 2002.

Pacific Coast Swimming is proud to announce a new partnership program with Saanich Commonwealth Place.  The Lightning FAST Swim Series is a new and innovative swimming program for children aged 5 and above, who are able to swim 15m on their front or who have completed Aqua Quest Level 5.