Top Age Group Ranking Profile

We are proud to spotlight a group of 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.

Challenges.

Noah Safa knows all about them. At just 13 years of age, the youngster from Toronto has had his share. As a person driven by greatness, nothing has stopped Safa from tinkering with the marvels of superiority.

These days he’s an academic honors student. Likeable and not one you’ll hear boosting his ego, Safa is quite the opposite. He’s the down-to-earth guy, focussed and fueled with a determination to be successful.

Later this year, he’ll make the adjustment from being one of the oldest students in elementary school to the youngest in high school.

Like most things in life, there could be a bit of nervousness along the way. But count on him to be ready for a smooth transition. Safa’s also focussed on a achieving a university education and already thinking about a career in business, law or medicine.

For many, it takes time to be a winner in anything.

Safa is already a marvel, a champion in more ways than just displaying awards in athletic competition. His prize-winning success as a swimmer is one thing. But super-seeding are the hurdles he has dealt with along the way and how he has dealt with them.

His story may serve as encouragement for other young athletes facing similar challenges as it relates to his health and well-being. Safa was diagnosed with a medical term called Atypical Croup. It’s a persistent cough, which has been part of his respiratory challenges along with asthma and allergies.

There are also frequent issues stemming from a knee injury. Overall, his situation is now well managed, and with consistent medical care, Safa has been able to pursue swimming with a great deal of positive achievements.

One more thing. At the age of four, Safa had a significant head injury, falling during school playground time. He suffered a broken and detached nose that required surgery, special attention and exceptional care at the Hospital for Sick Children.

Talk to him now, and the agenda is quite clear for Safa.

He is one of a handful of athletes being featured in a special Swim Ontario series recognizing a few of the country’s top-ranked age group swimmers. Some may refer to them as stars of the future – gems in the water who could one day be wearing Canada’s colors in major international swim events.

Safa is a member of the Scarborough Swim Club. For him, introduction to the sport occurred through a parent and tot learn-to-swim program at Toronto’s Granite Club. It was at age seven that his focus turned to the competitive side of swimming. Solid in performance, his premier stroke just might be one of the toughest - the butterfly.

To take on the unknown, even as it relates to swimming, can also be a victory of sorts. Some athletes are born to follow. Others, intuitive and daring, are triggered by an assortment of factors, and often become the trailblazers. That’s Safa.

It was at age 11 that Safa hit a personal milestone – a form of stardom. In 2024, he achieved two provincial records in the 100 and 200-metres backstroke at the Hall of Fame and the Age Group International meets in Toronto.

“I see my job as working hard, improving my times and breaking records,” he highlighted in a recent telephone conversation. “I’ve always looked at ways to get better. My goal is to one day, make it to the Olympics, earn a gold medal and set a world record.”

To put things in perspective, Safa has come a long way in a short span of time. While he is the main contributor to his triumphs, there is a great deal of praise from him for the support from his parents, family and coaches.

With trophies and awards spread throughout his bedroom, the walls are loaded with hooks showing numerous key medals and in an array of colors. Add to that some 16 records: three National, nine short course Provincial records in the age-12 category, and four long course Ontario records in the same age group.

“I enjoy swimming, never really worried (in a race) and focus on having lots of fun,” said Safa. “I am always ready to take on a new challenge and dream big.”

The Canadian Swimming Coaches Association (CSCA), through its Top Age Group (TAG) Rankings based on times in the 12-and-under category, show some impressive numbers for Safa. In 12 events, he was ranked No. 1 in 11. Only the 200-metres butterfly is where he was No. 2.

That’s no fluke but a testament to his talent in the freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and individual medley. Worth noting is that Safa, at the age of 12, did not swim any 400, 800 or 1,500 metres distance events.

“What we’re seeing and recognizing is nothing short of spectacular,” said Ethan Harrison, interim head coach of the Scarborough Swim Club. “When you see a kid swim those times, I don’t think many coaches see that kind of talent at that age.

“There is success in all strokes – and that’s rare. (Safa) is a very humble person, doesn’t seek out recognition and is diligent in his approach to training. What I see in addition to him having fun in the pool, is he doesn’t talk about is commitment to hard work – and there’s lots of it.”

Harrison said that in his four years as a swim coach, Safa is his most accomplished athlete praising his achievements and level of success as nothing short of amazing.

While some people have their limits, Safa – never having a sliver of doubt in a race - just may be true greatness and building his credentials for someday appearing on a prestigious swim Wall of Fame.

Energetic and dynamic in the pool, reserved and the owner of a great personality for a youngster, Safa is clearly displaying that he has all the pieces needed to put together a lengthy superb swim career.

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.