Next Wave up and Coming Swimmers Series

We are proud to spotlight a group of up and coming para swimmers and 14 & Under swimmers who are making their mark within the TAG (Top Age Group) Rankings across Canada. Recognized through the leadership and support of the Canadian Swim Coaches Association (CSCA), these athletes represent the next wave of Canadian swimming excellence.

As we launch this series, we celebrate the coaches, clubs, and families who support these swimmers — and we look forward to following their journey as they continue to rise within Canada’s performance pathway.

It can become a test of skill, endurance, motivation and dominance.

Here’s the challenge. Take some time to examine the kind of individual who, while focussed on intense academic studies, still is committed to devoting close to 20 hours a week to swimming laps and a variety of dryland exercises.

What you have are the characteristics of an individual who is consumed with some very special qualities. Takes quite a bit of devotion and tenacity. It’s a desire to reach for the top. Then, add on to that person an intrinsic attitude that is bolstered by confidence and goalsetting.

That describes Lily Chai.

Most people outside of the Markham swim community have likely not heard much about this 15-year-old whiz in water. That’s about to change – and, in some cases, is already causing quite a bit of discussion poolside that involves spectators and those involved in the water sport community.

Chai is not an Olympian, nor a World Champ.

Those honours don’t happen overnight, but they tend to involve overwhelming periods of their lives in water. Not as much as fish, but close. All world class swimmers do start somewhere – learn-to-swim classes, programs for toddlers, or just learning after jumping in to water.

These days, people getting a glimpse of Chai in competition may very well be witnessing stardom in the making.

She’s been chosen by Canada’s National and Provincial swim sport organizations for various training camps. Her selection to the 2025 Swim Ontario Podium Development Program, which focuses on specialized athletes in the 100 and 200-metres events, was no fluke.

It’s just one more thing to add to the discussion board.

Chai swam at the 2025 World Cup and was clocked in a time that shattered her Markham Aquatic Club record in the 200-metres breaststroke. That record had been around for 31 years.

“I just love swimming – no other way to describe my feelings,” said Chai in a telephone conversation aimed at dreams, goals and ambitions in the sport.

“Taking swimming as far up as I can is in the plan. Sure, everyone wants to reach the Olympics and I’m no different. But it’ll be hard, very hard, to get those numbers needed to qualify.”

Chai is not one to give up. As an 11-year-old, she put up a fuss when learning that she would have to stay out of water for two months after a serious injury to her hand. It’s not wise to swim with a cast. Fortunately, that has been her only injury.

Here’s how it happened. She was late for a practise, tripped and fractured her thumb. She’s not happy reliving that time in her life.

Her debut in water came at age four with her dad recommending swim lessons. Two years later, it was graduation to the Markham Centennial community pool. Then, an urge for the competitive world. There was no stopping her - and those ambitions.

At age nine, the medals started coming home with her from meets -including superb memories of her first gold. It was a victory for her diligence and an unwavering commitment to the sport. It also fueled her enthusiasm and passion. Keeping her out of water became a challenge.

Chai has several role models, pointing to her older sister who, later this year, will move on to study at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Chai’s parents, coaches and teammates, to name just a few, also top the list of special people.

Only in grade 9 and being one of the youngest at her St. Augustine high school, Chai is already thinking forward and hoping to continue her studies and greatness in swimming at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) school in the United States.

“Achieving success, that’s what it’s all about,” she said. “Learning and getting better at everything. Skills, knowledge and progression in swimming.”

Chai has a wall full of medals at her home, but there’s an award that’s also very special.

It’s the 2025 Summer McIntosh INSPIRE scholarship. At one time dubbed “a teen swim sensation”, McIntosh awarded five recipients – at the same age when she made her international debut - with a generous donation from the three-time Olympian champ and eight-time World Aquatics champ.

Also in 2025, Chai competed at the Canada Games in St. John’s, Nfld., and won two bronze medals. That same year, she did well at the Canadian Swim Trials in Victoria, B.C. and generated excitement competing at the Ontario Swim championships for athletes 14-years of age and under.

Like a baseball pitcher who can do wonders spinning a ball from the mound, Chai has a variety of experience at several swim strokes - the individual medley, freestyle and breaststroke. Her best, well time will tell.

Creativity and confidence come natural to Chai. What counts is overall performance. For Chai, she’s one who never runs out of trying and the inspiration that comes with it.

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 50+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.