Keily Hutt is thriving in the water and in the classroom.
The Grade 8 student is looking to land a spot on B.C.’s synchronized swim team that will be competing at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer next February. Hutt will be attending training camps throughout the summer as one of 16 athletes shortlisted for the team.
Her status comes after a terrific season with the Pacific Wave Synchronized Swim Club. Hutt was aged up to be a member of a junior team that surprised all with a top 10 showing at the Canadian Championships in Windsor back in April.
Hutt was honoured to be swimming next to much more experienced athletes even though she was initially intimated.
“It was nerve racking to be on a team with older girls,” she smiled. “They have been swimming so much longer than me but by the end of the season I felt we really were a team of one. It was really exciting to make (national) finals with them.”
Over the past 10 months, Hutt also worked hard on her solo performances thanks to a rigorous schedule.
She trained seven days a week and often left Watermania at 10 p.m. each night, following team sessions, and returned at 6 a.m. the next morning for at least 90-minutes of solo work.
With her for each and every one of those early morning practices was Pacific Wave assistant coach Candace Kalin.
“Keily is probably the hardest working athlete we have. This was her first year doing solo and she started not so sure of herself and came out of it pretty confident,” said Kalin. “I have seen just so many improvements, mental wise and physical. She has grown into an amazing athlete and there is a bright future for her.”
Hutt’s success in the pool goes with also being a straight ‘A’ student. She was able to turn what would have been her Grade 8 PE class into a spare since she is already training everyday. She uses the study block to take care of her homework before heading to Watermania after school.
It was waiting for her brother’s swimming lesson to finish one day at the Richmond pool when she became intrigued watching a Pacific Wave training session. Over the past five years it has developed into her passion.
“I was actually scared to put my head underwater at first as I always thought there were sharks in the vent,” she laughed. “But I really enjoy the drive and determination it requires. I like how it challenges me so much and even pushes me past my limits.”
Kalin added the morning training sessions are somewhat new to the club and she couldn’t think of a better swimmer to be training.
“It’s just a pleasure to work with her. School and sports is always really hard to balance and Keily has proven you can do it. She is an amazing athlete and student.”
For more on Pacific Wave visit www.pacificwavesynchro.ca.
