Combining Family with Sport

“From that first time of being introduced to water, adapting and feeling safe, we share a passion for the sport.” - Suzanne Paulins

By David Grossman

There’s nothing more satisfying for a family than spending precious time together and for the Paulins household, one of the things that has kept this group of five so close has been the time they have devoted to the sport of swimming.

While various individuals might think swimming is just making a splash, or taking a dip, the Paulins family go far beyond that interpretation after having dedicated countless hours to the sport by improving, learning and educating.

A huge part of their lives has been as athletes, coaches and officials.

Suzanne Paulins may have the family edge in historic linkage to the sport, but that may be open for discussion with her husband Ray, and their three adult children. Currently on the management team of Swimming Canada, Suzanne has competed, officiated, coached and done it all in a sport that combines recreation, exercise and learning.

As the patriarch of the family, Ray, converted to the sport - and has focussed on volunteering and officiating - after initial success as a former distance runner. He competed in the World Junior cross country championship in 1977 and 1978 as well as the World Senior cross country final in 1983.

Passion for the sport was quickly passed onto the family’s younger members.

As children, Beth, Alex and Sebastian were signed up by their parents with the Brantford Aquatic Club. When opportunities came for them to seek interest in other sports, they participated, but also chose to stick with what they enjoyed the most. Tag on the huge benefits from life skills learning and even advancing a huge step further, that of focussing on the competitive side.

Now working in the insurance industry, 26-year old Beth hasn’t parted from the pool; she’s a university assistant coach. Alex is a trainer and mentor in a swim strength and conditioning program – and that’s when the 24-year old is not working for the City of London. The youngest of the trio, 21-year old Sebastian, has a case for being the most successful in the family as a swimmer after being chosen Athlete of the Year and swim team’s Most Valuable Player at Western University.

In addition to being great swimmers, Beth, Alex and Sebastian have all excelled as post-secondary students.

Individual conversations about swimming with the three younger members of the Paulins family always focus on the same words “rewarding”, “challenging” and a “special life experience”.

“Looking back at those early years, swimming was something our kids enjoyed and it just happened that their parents were also involved in the sport,” said Suzanne, who is Swimming Canada’s Senior Manager of Domestic Operations and a former Board member for Swim Ontario.

“We told them they had to stick with swimming until they were 11 years old. Then, they could make the decision to continue - or find something else.”

As multi-sport athletes, the trio not only made swimming a priority, but developed a fondness for a sport that history claims is one of the oldest known to mankind. For the Paulins kids, the prospect was to expand their knowledge with enhancement in swim techniques and styles.

“From that first time of being introduced to water, adapting and feeling safe, we saw that they had an affection for the sport, and (they) benefitted greatly from programs and opportunities,” added Suzanne. “It’s not that easy for kids to get up early for practices, stick to school and swim commitments and meets. They thoroughly enjoyed the sport, as well as meeting others and gaining from some great coaching.”

As performances improved for their children, Ray and Suzanne remained resolute that it was never about awards and trips to the winner’s podium.

“For us, we always told our kids that number one was the enjoyment of watching them swim,” echoed Ray. “It was about dedication, discipline and the good life skills they would learn. We were there for successful times, and also there when things didn’t go the way they may have expected.”

While Swim Ontario may be one of the larger amateur sport organizations in Canada with an estimated 20,000 swimmers, 8,000 coaches and officials along with 150 clubs, in many cases, the sport has been a home away from home for families.

Beth can’t say enough about what she has learned from the sport.

“(Swimming) has been a huge part of my life and always will be,” said Beth. “In swimming, I am not sure if there aren’t many families like ours. My parents know how important it was for me – that I would have fun, learn how to deal with challenges and develop social skills.

For Alex, it was never about being better than his sister or brother.

“I have played several sports, but in swimming, there were times about being in the water that were comforting,” he said. “It’s hard to explain, but I experienced a special feeling of being an individual that was in control of the mental and physical sides of my training.”

Memorable and significant moments come to mind for Sebastian, from those early years to the highlights.

“There are certainly times that stand out,” said Sebastian. “I’m a competitive swimmer, in it for the long haul and just love being in water. I do realize that my commitment to swimming, along with the many friends and groups along the way, has allowed me the time to learn lessons and make me become a better person.”

David Grossman is a veteran award-winning Journalist, 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.