MSABC BOARD 2023-24

Lauren Westmacott
President
president@msabc.ca

I began swimming in 1986 with the Nanaimo White Rapids summer club and I’ve never looked back. My parents got quite tired of driving me to morning practices after the first few years and I think they secretly hoped I would stop swimming so they could have a break, but I loved the water too much.

I continued on as a water polo player at university and coached for many years to help pay for school. I dabbled in triathlons, but land sports never got a firm hold on me like swimming did.

When I returned to Victoria after grad school, a close friend told me she’d found “the best Masters club!” and I joined her at Victoria Masters Swim Club in 2007. I have been an active member of MSABC ever since and have loved attending meets in BC, across Canada, and internationally.

In 2012 I joined the VMSC board and served 8 years as a director and 2 as president. And then my drive to help brought me to the MSABC board in 2019 where I have been Secretary and Registrar. I am pleased to be able to lead our great group of enthusiastic and talented directors this season.

Responsibilities: Oversees and coordinates board activities, liaises with community partners, and chairs meetings. 

Bryan Goble
Vice President
vicepresident@msabc.ca

Hi. My name is Bryan Goble. I have been involved in competitive swimming since I was 5 years old.  I spent 12 years swimming age group with the Vernon Kokanee Swim Club. For the past 5 years, I’ve swam with the Vernon Masters and currently with the Nanaimo Ebbtides. I took on a role as a director at large because I wanted to give back to a sport which has enriched mine and so many lives in such a positive way. I look forward to serving our members now and in the future. I’m excited for the day we can all get together again at a meet near you!! 

Responsibilities: Assists the President, acts in his/her absence and as signing authority, performs duties as instructed by the Board.

Katie Coombs
Secretary
secretary@msabc.ca 

Hi! I’m Katie. I joined the Squamish Titans in the fall of 2012, and that was my first taste of Masters swimming. But, I didn’t do my first meet until 2014 due to nerves and being a bit worried I wouldn’t be good enough . . . little did I know that I needn’t be concerned! I love the Masters community, the energy, and how you’re accepted by all no matter what your speed or ability may be. My favourite events are 200 back and 400 free.

My favourite meet by far is Nanaimo, especially the Chili Cook-off social after the racing is over, and I also really look forward to EBSC’s I Love to Swim Meet. My favourite outdoor race is Swim Bowen, which raises money for Bowen residents living with cancer! And I finish every open water swim with 6 strokes of butterfly—just because!

I first joined the MSABC board as a Director-at-Large when an email went out looking for Board members (I think it was 2019?). I was then elected as Secretary in 2022. I joined the Board so I could share my knowledge and love for swimming with others, and to be more involved in the Masters community.

When I’m not swimming, I’m very active musically. I play alto saxophone in the Sea to Sky Big Band, play clarinet in the Vancouver Concert Band and North Vancouver Community Band, and I sing with the Sea to Sky singers. 

Responsibilities: Issues notice of meetings, keeps minutes and custody of all records, and filings, distributes minutes, records manual, and general liaison.

Linda Stanley Wilson
Treasurer
treasurer@msabc.ca

Hi, I’m Linda and I swim with White Rock Wave. I’m originally from California where I mostly swam in open water after competing in college. A few of my favourite swims are the Golden Gate Bridge Swim, Alcatraz, Maui Channel Relay, and Tahoe Relay. In BC, my very favourite swim event is the Flamingo relay race at the English Bay meet, but I also really love the Chili Cook-off at the Nanaimo meet. When I’m not swimming backstroke in nearby lakes and oceans, you will find me working in my garden or snapping photos with my new Nikon Z9. 

Responsibilities: Manages the funds of the Society, pays authorized invoices, and signing authority. Coordinates with the Auditor, and prepares the annual budget and financial reports as required.

Dale Robinson
Registrar
registrar@msabc.ca

Dale has been swimming competitively for nearly 30 years, starting out at 14 as an age grouper in Ontario, now a long-time Masters swimmer in British Columbia.  Dale has also been very active as a coach for Masters swimmers, triathletes, and age groupers here in BC, and has organized and run several Masters training camps in Maui, Hawaii.  Dale joined the MSABC Board of Directors in 2017, sitting as a Direct at Large tasked with policy review and development during his first 2-year, in 2019 stepped into the position of Treasurer where he is now in his second 2-year term in that position.

Responsibilities: Registers members and clubs, processes memberships, collects membership fees, maintains current mailing addresses, provides registration lists, and mails information to new clubs.

Jon Suk
Communications Director
communication@msabc.ca

Jon was an age-group swimmer in Vancouver from age 12 and has loved being in the water ever since. Participating in physical activities is one of life’s greatest joys, and he passionately does through all the seasons with swimming, trail running, cycling, speed skating, and skiing. He is new to the MSABC board for the 2023–24 season and is excited and honoured to serve the masters swimming community. Previous professional experiences include social media and event management with marathon events, technology startups, and corporate communications. Jon’s volunteer experiences include the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, minor hockey coach, and chair of the Salt Spring Island Parks and Recreation Commission.

Responsible for Communication between the Board, MSABC members, and the public to promote masters swimming in BC.

Khosro Mansuri
Competition Director
competition@msabc.ca

I have been in Canada since 1990 and started coaching age-group and masters swimmers in 1992 and currently continue. My passion is to help others. Kindness, trust, and support for others are my drive. I enjoy swimming and competed in the past but never made any Olympic games. I guess there is always a hope.

Responsibilities: Responsible for Communication between the Board and the Meet Managers

Heike Beer
Director-at-Large
director1@msabc.ca

I have lived in Canada since 1985 and began to swim with PSW masters in 1999. I have also been running the Southridge School senior swim team for the past 20+ years, have been the Fraser Commissioner for two years and am currently on the organizing committee for the BC Provincial High School Championships. I used to look after Semiahmoo Masters until we dissolved it a couple of years ago. I love swimming and anything to do with this sport. I am also into second language teaching and learning, outdoor education, specifically cycling and canoeing and love to cook and bake.

Responsibilities: Duties as directed by the Board

Kim Bientjes
Director-at-Large
director2@msabc.ca

I have always loved the water – even though I was not an age-group swimmer. I started with Masters after I finished high school, and have swum with several clubs in the lower mainland (North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Abbotsford and Chilliwack). 

I have started to swim competitively as well (locally, provincially and nationally). And I love volunteering – being part of the Swim Club in all the various roles of Registrar, Secretary, Treasurer, Communications, and Meet Manager has been wonderful to give back to the Community! 

I guess you can call me a late starter, but it has been so much fun, meeting like-minded people and staying in shape in the process!

Responsibilities: Duties as directed by the Board