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Message From Swim Team Coaches

Clear some room in the trophy case! The Banook Lakers swim team has had a very successful finish to the season at the Swim Nova Scotia Summer swim provincials which took place on August 19-21 in Bridgewater. With only 13 swimmers competing, they were able to win the small team overall champs, 9-10 and 11-12 age group champs as well as many medals and ribbons. The swimmers clearly showed the other teams what Banook spirit and sportsmanship is all about. This year we introduced Cheer Buddies at provincials which had 2 swimmers paired up together to create fun and exciting ways to cheer on their fellow swimmers.

Lots of hard practice and determination throughout the summer has lead the team to many successful individual and team races. The team attended swim meets at the Waeg, Bedford, Kentville, Windsor and Colby and competed against 16 other swim teams from all across the province. Swim team is a great way to meet new friends and to stay fit. With over 25 swimmers on the team, there is always someone to have fun with and race together.

We hope that next year will be an even better year and we are always looking for new swimmers to join our winning team. Swim team practice will start back up again in January for one hour a week at the Dartmouth sportsplex on Sunday nights, we hope to see you there!

Coaches Nicole Becket and Jessica Ring

Message From the Head Coach of Banook

It is already mid-season at the Banook Canoe Club, and I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself to those that do not know me, and to share some of my thoughts regarding the vision and future of the club.

I was born and raised in Krakow, Poland and started my athletic career as a sprint race canoer at the age of 12, competing at national and international levels.  My coaching career also began in Poland in sprint racing canoe and kayak, and continued when I immigrated to Canada in 1986.  My first coaching position in Canada was with the Banook Canoe Club from 1987-1991, where I saw many athletes excel to national and international competitive levels, and a tremendous team spirit was evident among the many club members, parents, and supporters.

My coaching career has taken me to different clubs including Point Claire, Quebec, and Selkirk, Manitoba and my passion for the sport is what drives me to encourage people of all ages and abilities to reach their potential.  It is also what inspires me to help develop clubs so that they can provide not only the support and foundation that the athletes need to excel, but also a welcoming and fun atmosphere for individuals and families to enjoy all aspects of paddling.

The Banook Canoe Club is a great club and there are things we can do to encourage the team spirit and welcoming atmosphere at the club, such as:

• Provide programs when athletes of all ages (Peewees to Masters) can train all year round such as winter games, basketball, swimming, cross country ski, gym/weights programs.
• Rebuild the Banook tradition of war canoe to all age categories, from atoms to masters.
• Encourage a fun and competitive environment for families and individuals of all ages.
• Repair existing equipment and purchase new equipment, especially for younger paddlers, such as a medicine ball, exercise machines, games equipment and smaller paddles.

I invite you to share with me any thoughts you may have for the vision of the Banook Canoe Club by dropping by my office at the club, calling me (818-3145), or sending me an e-mail (JKruk@mts.net).

I am thrilled to be back in Nova Scotia and especially to be back at the club where I started in Canada.  I am looking forward to working with all of you as we continue to make the Banook Canoe Club the best club it can be.

Regards,

Jan Kruk

Head Coach, Banook Canoe Club