2022 Canada Games Team Feature

Leading up to the 2022 Canada Games, we are sharing stories about some of the people representing Team Ontario in the pool this summer

Cathy Pardy knows all about challenges, frustrations, and dealing with pain.

Her personal life and experiences, at times, have been like a teeter totter, fluctuating through life.

It has nothing to do with a glorious career in the world of swimming – one that goes beyond just teaching people about success, determination and thriving on personal expectations.

For Pardy, her objective has always been to try make people happy. It’s what she accomplishes in everyday life, and it also is visible as an elite swim coach.

“It’s more about the lessons in life, the encouragement and reminding young people not to alter their goals,” said Pardy, who was born in Gander, Nfld. “I always remind my swimmers to remember why they are in the water, their values and to never let anything stand in the way of achieving it. Do the work and I am there to help in every way I can.”

Those same life experiences, which can often fluctuate, go far beyond the swimming pool.

Pardy has had her own misfortune. She was diagnosed as having cancer. Surgery followed and when the time was right, she returned to what she does with extreme success, happiness, and a great deal of achievement.

It’s called coaching.

She’s head coach of the Region of Waterloo Swim Club (ROW) and, if that’s not enough to keep her busy, Pardy has similar duties as the head coach, mentor and educator for the swim team at Wilfrid Laurier University.

With a gift of confidence and competence that brings the best out of student athletes, Pardy is also on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Swim Coaches Association (CSCA). Recently, she was appointed as the Chairperson for the newly established Women In Coaching Committee for swim coaches across Canada through the CSCA.

In 2017, tragedy hit home. Her life deeply affected. Bennett, her 23-year-old son, was diagnosed with a brain tumour and passed away. The family was shattered. Pardy would again take a hiatus from coaching. Grief and hollowness had taken over, but there were, and still are, fond memories of a young man gone too soon.

“Our life tragedies are unforgettable times,” said Pardy. “I’m convinced it also makes us stronger in many ways.”

For Pardy, there was also a period for her to test patience and endurance. Guts and glory took over. You hear about, and often meet, people who leave you with a positive enlightening of things to come. That’s her.

A remarkable woman who spreads encouragement, makes people happy and repeatedly advises others to not to alter their goals.

“Coaching can be a gift,” said Pardy, who remembers swimming lessons at the age of four. With former coach Bill Barton, responsible for getting her hooked on the sport. “Paul Finkle also set me on a career path in this sport. He saw my potential, and I was 11 years old. He told me to try out for the swim club.”

Swimming was a sport she enjoyed as a teenager. Pardy has her share of medals tucked away, as she explains, in a shoebox. Coaching would enter her life when a former coach told her about a part time gig with the former Town of Mississauga Aquatic Club, which would later have a club name change.

What emboldens Pardy has always centred around personal commitment.

It wasn’t long before Pardy, at age 28, would view another big break and accept her first fulltime job, but it was with the Guelph Marlins Aquatic Club. The coaching challenge would continue at the Region of Waterloo Swim Club (ROW) for seven years under the mentorship of Dean Boles, now the CEO of Swim Ontario. Then, it was off to the Oakville Aquatic Club for 12 years, before returning to ROW.

“It’s all about connections to people that often brings success,” said Pardy. “My job is to mentor, swimmers and then shine the light brightly on them. I’m not one for the spotlight. Competitive teaching is never to give up. If you quit, you’ve given yourself permission to also quit on life - and the human goal is to survive.”

With the Canada Summer Games set for the Niagara Region from August 6 to 21, a tenacious and resolute Pardy will lead another dominant Ontario squad against the rest of the country.

“It’s truly an exciting opportunity for me, as a coach, to be in a position to lead such a strong program,” said Pardy. “Ontario has been defending champs for many years and my expectation of our team is to win. Our athletes will know that these Games will be something really big in their lives and they will feel like they’re on a track to something even bigger.”

David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.