Founded in 2011, the Town of Cochrane Water Ninjas have been kicking water successfully in this fairly recent sport, that was only introduced about 15 years ago and is one of few that has a humanitarian purpose.
The Town of Cochrane Water Ninjas is a lifesaving sports team that began when John Napier began his role at the Big Hill Leisure Pool as aquatic facility manager.
Napier noticed that there were several individuals who were finished with swimming lessons at the facility, but too young to be lifeguards, and that’s when he realized there was a need within the facility for another swimming sport.
“I thought it was a really good program to introduce,” said Napier.
In 2011, the lifesaving sports team was introduced as part of the Junior Lifesaving program and started with eight registrants between the ages of eight and 16, according to Napier.
Today the team is proving a popular response within the facility and contains 25 members between the ages of nine and 13, while there is a waitlist to join the team, anyone between the age of eight and 16 can be accepted.
The Town of Cochrane Water Ninjas regularly compete in competitions across the province, including the recent under-15 Pool Lifesaving Provincial Championships held March 21-22 in Edmonton, of which they placed seventh out of 15 teams.
The Water Ninjas scored 317 individual points, 150 relay points, creating a total of 467 points. They also won three gold medals, four silver and three bronze medals, as well as scoring 41 out of a possible 56 personal best times.
Lifesaving is a recognized sport by the International Olympic Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation and is governed in Canada by the Lifesaving Society.
For more information visit lifesaving.org.
