Sooke Swimmers Shine at 55-Plus B.C. Games, Earning 25 Medals

Five female swimmers from Sooke, British Columbia, achieved remarkable success at the 55-Plus B.C. Games, held in Nanaimo from September 9 to 12, 2025. The athletes collectively secured a total of 25 medals, showcasing their talents in a competitive environment that featured 21 sports and attracted over 2,700 participants.

Rhonda McIntyre led the group, winning an impressive seven medals, the highest of any competitor from Sooke. Her achievements included gold in the 25-metre backstroke and 50-metre backstroke, as well as silver in the 100-metre backstroke and 25-metre and 50-metre butterfly events. Additionally, she claimed bronze in both the 100-metre individual medley and the 4×25 freestyle relay.

Cathy Harris also made a significant impact, earning a gold medal in the 50-metre freestyle event. She added silver medals in the 100-metre freestyle, 25-metre freestyle, and 25-metre backstroke, along with a bronze in the 4×25 medley relay.

The achievements did not stop there, as Rhonda Henry secured six medals, highlighted by a gold in the 4×25 freestyle relay. She further contributed with silver medals in the 25-metre backstroke and 400-metre freestyle, alongside bronze in the 25-metre freestyle, 50-metre backstroke, and 100-metre backstroke.

Ina Winterburn claimed three silver medals in the 25-metre freestyle, 25-metre butterfly, and 4×25 freestyle relay. Meanwhile, Jocelyn Nixon earned silver in the 25-metre freestyle and 4×25 freestyle relay, and she took home bronze in the 800-metre freestyle.

Community Support and Competitive Spirit

Winterburn expressed gratitude for the support from their local community, noting that the five swimmers have trained together for years at the SEAPARC Recreation Centre. She emphasized the importance of the games, stating that they provide seniors with the opportunity to compete against their peers rather than younger athletes. “As seniors are becoming a larger community, being active helps improve the quality of their life,” Winterburn remarked. She also highlighted the inspiring presence of the oldest swimmer at the games, who was an impressive 101 years old.

Diana Johnstone, president of the host committee, remarked that the games symbolize the benefits of maintaining both mental and physical activity. The event was projected to contribute between $3 million to $5 million to the local economy this year, further underscoring its significance beyond athletics.

The next edition of the 55-Plus B.C. Games is scheduled to take place in Kamloops from September 8 to 12, 2026. Registration for this upcoming event will officially open on March 1, 2026, providing another opportunity for seniors to showcase their athleticism and build community connections through sport.