The Sidney Piranhas capped off their summer season with a standout showing at the BC Summer Swimming Association (BCSSA) provincials in Prince George, bringing home a haul of medals and records that underscored the strength of the small but mighty club.
Over three days of competition from Aug. 15 to 17, the Piranhas sent 40 athletes to the meet, the largest contingent from Vancouver Island.
In total, swimmers reached 46 finals, earning 10 gold medals, nine silver and seven bronze, while setting 13 new club records and one provincial record.
The club based out of the Panorama Recreation Centre boasts roughly 140 members.
Rick Say, vice president of the club and a three-time Olympian, said the results reflect years of steady growth and strong leadership on the pool deck.
“We have an awesome coaching staff, and I think that really translates into great performances,” he said. “The environment throughout the season is so good that by the time kids get to provincials, they’re fully prepared. Their mindsets are really strong, and it shows.”
Among the top performers were sisters Mackenzie and Lexie Braun, who each left a mark on the club’s record books.
Mackenzie, 15, collected gold in the 50 and 100 freestyle, along with relay gold, while adding silver in the 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley. She broke four club records, including swims in the 100 free and 100 fly, and was part of the girls open freestyle relay team that set a new provincial record.
Lexie, 13, won silver in both the 100 free and 100 back, and added bronze in three relay events. She also rewrote a long-standing club record in the 50 free that dated back to 1998.
Other swimmers made their mark as well.
Karmyn Say won four medals and erased a 30-year-old club record in the 50 backstroke, while Addison Tait collected two gold and two silver, breaking a record in the 100 fly.
Zoe Paterson added gold in the 200 IM and silver in the 100 fly, while several relay teams also climbed the podium, including a division five girls freestyle relay that broke a 1996 record.
For Say, the results highlight not just talent but the balance the club has built between competition and community.
“We’re a small club, but the kids who are producing are top notch,” he said. “It’s not just about racing, it’s about friendships and mentorship too, and that’s what makes this team special.”
