Downey takes over as Kamloops Classic Swimming head coach, aims to provide stability

Downey intends to offer a steady hand.

“This isn’t something that’s new for me,” Downey said. “When I was in Collingwood, Ontario, they also went through a number of head coaches prior to me arriving and it can be quite a challenge for the club to have that lack of stability for the swimmers, the parents and the overall club structure, so I’m really hoping to be that positive change for the club.”

Quinn Meredith was asked for his take on Downey.

“I have been in the club for a while and every single year I’ve been in the club I’ve had a different coach,” Meredith said. “We’ve had super inconsistent coaching. I am really enjoying [Downey’s] coaching this year. It makes a huge difference because everything – all of your knowledge, all your technique, all your training – comes from the coaching. If you have a good coach and you have a coach that knows what he’s doing, then that’s going to very clearly reflect in the club’s swimming.”

Under Dalke, whose tenure as head coach spanned about 20 years, the club produced provincial-, national- and NCAA Division One-level swimmers.

Downey’s reign is off to a promising start, according to 15-year-old Classics’ swimmer Elise Percy.

“I think it’s been really good,” Percy said. “He’s willing to push us before a meet. Like, right now, we’re sort of tapering while also working on technique. But he’s also willing to push us in test sets and make us go until we think we can’t and then just keep pushing us so that we can really reach our full potential. It’s kind of strange having a new coach because I’ve had a new coach every year since I’ve been here, but it’s also really cool because you get different coaching styles and different techniques.”

Prior to joining the Classics, Downey was general manager for Olympian Swim Club in Edmonton, graduating into that role from the head age group coach position.

Previously, he was head coach for the Collingwood Clippers in Ontario and assistant head coach for the Langley Olympians.

Downey said he wants his swimmers to reach their potential and have fun.

“It’s a very fine line,” he said, noting it is a luxury to have a 50-metre pool in Kamloops. “It’s important to still have those aspects of fun and being engaging because swimming is such a demanding sport, with the amount of time and effort that goes into it.”

Some Classics are in the pool nine times per week, in addition to dry-land sessions.

“I like the grind,” Meredith said. “How much you put into practice is how much you get out in races and times.”

Added Percy: “It’s been something that just helps me get my energy out. I’ve always called it my peace because I always feel better in the water and it’s so much fun.”

Nine Classics are scheduled to compete at Swim BC Winter Provincials, which are slated to get underway on Thursday in Victoria. CFJC will have a provincials preview on Thursday.

“There has been some instability in the past,” Downey said. “I’m hopefully looking to be that change and create some stability for the club and having Kamloops Classic be a very strong team and get back to where it was in the past.”

by Marty Hastings

Downey takes over as Kamloops Classic Swimming head coach, aims to provide stability

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