WHO WE ARE

“Building a Foundation for Future Excellence”

Who We Are:

Kenora Swimming Sharks (KSS) is a non-profit sports organization run by a volunteer parent executive which directs the financial and administrative affairs of the club. We hire professional coaches (Head Coach and part-time assistant coaches), establish a budget, and set fees and salaries. In addition we organize and take part in various fundraising activities to help meet our budget needs. Programs are offered for all levels of swimmers, from novice pre-competitive levels (Junior Sharks) to national level competitors, and Masters swimmers. Kenora Swimming Sharks is an inclusive club and has offered ParaSwimming for over a decade. ParaSwimming is a competitive swimming discipline for athletes with physical, visual, or intellectual impairments. It provides opportunities for individuals to compete at various levels, from local events to the Paralympic Games. ParaSwimming emphasizes inclusivity and aims to develop athletes' skills while promoting personal growth, teamwork, and the spirit of competition. 

Vision

Kenora Swimming Sharks believes that competitive swimming is an ideal environment to develop both an athletes' character and potential. Our club is athlete focused, professionally led and parent supported, committed to having swimmers achieve their full potential in and out of the pool.  We use the sport of swimming as a way to teach goal setting, dedication, commitment and strong work ethic. Kenora Swimming Sharks takes a long term philosophy approach to swimming. Our club focuses on skill development and technical components at the younger ages of our program. Progressing to the competitive groups includes an increased focus on IM and endurance freestyle training. This philosophy allows our athletes to become their best in their teenage and college years. Kenora Swimming Sharks provides an opportunity for all athletes ranging in experience from young beginners to adults to reach their highest potential.

Mission

Kenora Swimming Sharks aspires to be an outstanding educational-athletic organization that provides a high quality experience to every athlete. A high-quality experience is one in which every athlete:

• Is coached using the principles of LTAD and positive coaching

• Enjoys practices and competitions

• Feels like an important part of the team regardless of performance

• Learns life lessons that have value beyond the swimming pool

• Learns the skills, and tactics of the sport to improve as a swimmer.

Goals

Team Goals

• Assist the swimmers to achieve their swimming goals and strive for excellence

• Increase the team atmosphere and spirit among our competitive swimmers

• Encourage parents and guardians to participate in more club activities

• Improve and update the club’s website and publicity.

• Maintain a healthy and viable swim membership for each of the Fall/ Winter and Winter/Spring Sessions

Hosting Goals

Determined each season

Competitive Goals

KSS will have members compete in all sanctioned Northwestern Ontario Regional Swim Meets as well as a number of additional meets outside of our region. Swimmers from all levels of the club will have the opportunity to compete at least once in each of the fall and spring sessions.

Financial Goals

Maintain or improve the club’s good financial position and continue to keep our swim fees reasonable / affordable.

Fundraising Goals

KSS holds two fundraising initiates a year: Fall Raffle and Spring Swim-a-Thon. We encourage all members to participate in fundraising and we strive to sell out each raffle.

Coaching Philosophy and Mission Statement

Our mission is to develop abilities in our young people that will inspire and empower them to achieve excellence in life through a positive competitive swimming experience. At Kenora Swimming Sharks, we believe that our sport teaches fundamental life skills that are invaluable beyond the pool. By molding, teaching, and instructing our athletes, we aim to develop in them the self-discipline, personal responsibility, physical fitness, and personal excellence necessary for success in competitive swimming and beyond.

COACHING BELIEFS

• Steady, committed, planned progressive training is the only road to ultimate long-term success.

• Aerobic development and maintenance with proper technique is the foundation for swimming achievement in all strokes over all distances.

• Communication between coach and swimmer, coach and parent, and swimmer and parent is vital.