Watch these swimmers who made a splash at provincial championships

Members of the Kelowna Dolphins Artistic Swim Club dazzled the audience at the BC Provincial Championships over the May long weekend.

The artistic swimmers soared to the podium, leaving a trail of success in their wake.

Amira Cocarell and Riley Hawthorne, coached by Julia Hansen, won first place for routine and second place for championships in the 13-15 duet division.

Hawthorne said it can take a few months to learn one routine, going section by section to practice.

Cocarell attributes some of the success to the artistic chemistry she and her duet partner have.

“You can do it without [chemistry],” Cocarell explained. “But it definitely makes your score and just the fun of it a lot better because of chemistry, which me and my duet partner definitely [have].”

In the 16-20 solo category, Aurora Halsall, also guided by Hansen, became the provincial champion by placing first for both routine and championship.

“I was still processing it for the first few days,” Halsall said. “Now I’m kind of like ‘Whoa, I got that, holy moly.’”

The Kelowna Dolphins didn't merely ride the tide of luck; they earned their place through tireless preparation. Over half a year ago, the swimmers began their journey, learning intricate choreography and immersing themselves in intensive training. Their dedication knew no bounds as they plunged into the pool, practicing five days a week for 8 to 12 hours over the course of the week.

Adding another splash of triumph, head coach Hansen herself was recognized at the provincial competition. As a multi-award-winning medalist who recently made waves at the Masters nationals, her expertise and leadership guided the Kelowna Dolphins to incredible heights.

“I am beyond proud of this club and our athletes and their accomplishments,” Hansen said. “We set out with big goals this year and I think they've matched step by step and they have really impressed us and shown their drive and dedication to the sport.”

The swim club, already a thriving hub of aquatic marvels, offers an array of programs tailored for both aspiring beginners and fierce competitors. And Hansen envisions a radiant future.

“I think we have a bright future ahead of us with all of our athletes currently,” Hansen said. “These are some of our top athletes we see right now. We have a lot of younger ones who are coming up, and I think we're going to do great things within BC.”

Dive into the captivating video above, showcasing the award-winning duet!