Meet the Athletes

The Athletes

⊲

Deanne Schweitzer

Mom to 4 amazing kids, owner of TurF, a place to work out, shop, and eat healthy food. She grew up in Kamloops, but discovered Kitsilano in her 20’s and never left. Has been a member for 12 years.

⊲ GENIEVE BURLEY

I am a native of Ontario and moved to Vancouver in 2006. I am a chiropractor, fitness instructor, and wellness expert. Has been a Club member for 12 years.

WHAT IS YOUR FAMILY'S INVOLVEMENT AT THE CLUB?

Deanne: My husband, Shawn Pozer, and daughter, Ryan Pozer. Shawn plays tennis and Ryan was an Arbutus Club Swim Team participant for several years, but now swims with VPSC. Ryan was also involved in competitive gymnastics and is looking forward to making more time for tennis.

Genieve: My husband, Beau Howes, and I play tennis. Our daughters Shyloh and Rhys were on the Swim Team and have been involved in dance, gymnastics, karate, camps, tennis, squash, and more in the past. They are athletes and spend their evenings in sports. Currently, Shyloh is at Vancouver Pacific Swim Club and Rhys is at Pacific Dance Arts.

Summer: I'm a member alongside, children Duke, Tor, Tag, JJ, and my husband, Chip Wilson. My family loves working out in the gym. When my kids were younger they were on the Swim Team and played hockey. My husband was a longtime squash player and he and I just started playing tennis.

What Role Does The Swim Team Play In Your Preparation For This Competition And How Long

HAVE YOU BEEN A PART OF THE SWIM TEAM?

⊲ SUMMER WILSON

Mom to five boys, a business owner, clothing designer, and fitness enthusiast. Summer has been a member of the Club for 17 years.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO COMPETE IN THE ROTTNEST CHANNEL SWIM?

Our fourth teammate is named Tessa McLoughlin. She is originally from Perth, Australia and her brother has competed in the 'Rotto' Swim (as a solo swimmer) it has been a bucket list dream for her to return home and do this epic race. Tessa suggested this race to us last summer and we thought it was a great idea. We are glad we went all in before learning the logistics and work that this race involves because we probably wouldn’t have signed up! Despite the challenges that we have encountered in preparing for this race and how physically demanding it will be, we are ready. This will be a lifelong achievement that we are already so proud of.

Deanne: I retired from competitive swimming in my 20’s (I swam for SFU) and really never had the desire to swim again. I was like many swimmers and got a little burned out. Coach Eduardo has made swimming enjoyable for me as has the whole Swim Team. The workouts are challenging, fun, and the whole group encourages each other. I knew the training would be big for this event and I knew I had a team and coach that would make it easier to get the km in.

Genieve: Without being on the Swim Team Rotto Swim would never have been a consideration. I didn’t start swimming until my 30s, it has been a source of joy and community for swimming at the Club. I am so grateful for the Swim Team for many reasons. What I have appreciated about the Swim Team in training for this race is that we have done a lot of power training, sprints, and drills, which complements the steady distance we have been working on our own. I have been a part of the Swim Team for 8 years.

Summer: Training with Coach Eduardo and The Arbutus Club Swim Team kept the workouts challenging and inspiring. The mix of sprint and endurance workouts has prepared us for the mileage we need to complete the race. The whole team encouraged us to push ourselves and cheered us along.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF BEING ON THE ARBUTUS CLUB SWIM TEAM?

Genieve: I love that as an adult I can be part of a team. The swim practices are always challenging, but I feel a community around me. I love our hot tubs afterwards – when we can complain about how hard the practice was.

Deanne: How good I feel after, new friends, and those hot tub discussions where we solve everything.

Summer: Swim practice is always an incredible workout that I know I would not have done on my own. There is nothing like the hot tub after and a chance to catch up with friends.

WHAT ASPECT OF THE SWIM TEAM HAS INSPIRED YOU TO STAY COMMITTED?

Deanne: The group and Coach Eduardo, the hot tub to recover, and the great changerooms to get ready for the day.

Genieve: I'm inspired by the people on my team and the consistency of a challenge.

Summer: Swim Team inspired me to put in the work and be prepared for the race. I didn’t want to let my teammates down.

WHAT MAKES OUR SWIM TEAM UNIQUE?

Genieve: I believe we are unique in that out of all the activities offered, masters swim is probably the smallest group, compared to something like tennis or squash, and everyone does it on the same days and times, which makes it consistent. Most of the people on the Swim Team have been there for years and are loyal to the program.

DESCRIBE YOUR INVOLVEMENT ON THE SWIM TEAM WITH A WORD OR PHRASE:

Genieve: I am the chief of distraction (which doesn’t work with Coach Eduardo). Deanne is the fastest and I would say she inspires us all to be more efficient in the water. Summer is strong, graceful, and a connector of our team, she has also been on the swim team the longest out of the 3 of us.

WHAT IS YOUR KEY TO PERSEVERANCE IN SPORTS?

Deanne: Setting a goal, finding a community with similar goals, while finding the joy and fun in the journey.

Following the race, we were able to briefly check-in to hear how the event went. "It did turn out to be as hard to organise as we thought it would be," said Genieve. Their gruelling training regime and the help of the Swim Team allowed the group to be ready for the strength and endurance necessitated by the race; however, the women were quick to point out that hypothermia was something that was a real challenge.

"We were blessed with the universe on our side and had Australians come to support us in ways we could not imagine. We would love to acknowledge Brian and Margaret McLoughlin, Louise Groom, James, Louise and Pip Groom, Emma Cross, and Francois Van Zyl," continued Genieve.

Difficulty aside, Deanne, Genieve, and Summer all spoke of the immense pride they have following their phenomenal accomplishment. "Walking across that finish line with the sunshine on our faces will be one of the greatest moments in our lives," shared Genieve. ♦

Submissions

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