From the time she started swimming lessons at five years old, Rita McCaw has always been a recreational swimmer.
After retiring two years ago and living by the motto go to something, not from something, the 56-year-old has thrown herself into a more active and healthy lifestyle by taking up swimming again.
It was around the same time as her retirement when McCaw heard Barrhead and Westlock would be hosting the Summer Games. She decided she didn't want to involve herself as a volunteer or planner, but as a participant.
The training began.
With a supportive group at the local pool, McCaw went to Hardcore Aquacise twice a week. The lifeguards and individuals who taught the courses were superb and full of helpful advice, she said. They were always eager to help.
"Whenever I go they've always got some tips they can help out with," said McCaw. "It's really nice to have a good supportive group with the girls I swim with and with the people who are training us."
McCaw's family has also been supportive of her striving towards becoming more physically fit. However this wasn't the only thing she was working towards.
One of McCaw's goals was to qualify for the Games in June, and this has become a reality for her.
The Summer Games will be her first competition, and qualifying is an accomplishment in itself for the avid swimmer. She will be participating in four events: 50 metre freestyle, 50 metre backstroke, 100 metre freestyle, 100 metre backstroke.
"This was on my bucket list, to be in a Games. I'm fulfilling it so far," she said. "I'm representing our zone, and I'm really hoping to bring home the gold."
Since she became a Zone 5 representative, McCaw began training even harder. She now spends almost every day at the pool in some form or another, whether she's practicing off the blocks, sprinting, working on her turns, or just lane swimming.
However her training is not only about swimming, she said. McCaw knows the importance of balancing exercise with a healthy diet.
"It's really important to know that you're eating properly, that you're getting your proper carbs, your proper vitamins, your fluids," she said. "You have to make sure that that's all in place, because that all comes into play when you need your strength for racing."
When it comes time to step up onto the block and gaze out across the pool, McCaw said she knows there will be butterflies. However her family and friends will be there to cheer her on.
"I have lots of family coming to support me," she said. "I'm excited that they are."
Networking and meeting people from different communities is an aspect of the Games McCaw is also excited about. Though the competition itself is up there too.
"I’m looking forward to the competition itself, because I'm a competitive person," she laughed. "I want to win a gold for Barrhead. I do."
The fact more people don't know about the Games is disappointing for the swimmer, who admires the seniors that are participating and enjoying it. The event provides a great opportunity to work towards the goal of living a healthy and active lifestyle.
"I myself didn't know there was such a thing as a Senior Games until I reached that 55 category," said McCaw. "Giving yourself that opportunity to be physically fit and work towards a goal like this, I think it just gives everyone an excellent platform to be physically fit your entire life."
