The Masters Swimming Ontario SWIMS Award

CHRIS SMITH - RECIPIENT OF THE MSO SWIMS AWARD - November 26, 2005

Chris grew up in Bermuda and was first off a diving board at age 4. He started competitive swimming at high school, was Captain and Coach in his final year, also the school's instructor and examiner for the Royal Life Saving Society. He then attended the Royal Military College at Royal Roads, again was Coach and Captain of the team, also for the West Coast Navy Team in the summers. After two years of Engineering at Royal Roads, he switched to Architecture at U of T where he played water polo. Chris was a scuba diver instructor in the 60's. He is a Pisces!

While at University he worked on the design of the "New Town" of Don Mills, also was involved in promoting co-op housing. These interests took him to Sweden after graduation for almost four years. On his return he worked in traditional architecture, and was the Project Architect for Commerce Court, the CIBC's head office in Toronto. He was involved in promoting affordable housing and the reintroduction of housing into downtown Toronto and was hired by the City to develop the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood along the Esplanade, he later developed many co-op housing communities in the GTA.

Chris has always wanted to work for the good of the whole with input from anyone and everyone. He does everything with a passion, not only in swimming but with other humanitarian issues such as planting and nurturing Carolinian trees in the Don Valley.

Although Chris only started masters swimming fifteen years ago, he has been involved in swimming for almost forty years, as a swim parent and official. As a Master (Level V) SNC official, he has officiated nationally and internationally for age group, national level and masters meets. In this capacity he has made many national and international contacts. He is presently on the Board of the Ontario Swimming Officials Association.

Very active in his Masters Swimming Club, Trillium Y, he swims enthusiastically, attending well over a dozen meets a year, many out of the country. Chris has held several MSC and FINA records and is usually the top ranked swimmer in Canada in his age group. He has been heavily involved with running many of the Ontario Championships since 1993 and was the driving force behind the Nationals in Toronto this year.

Chris was on the Board of MSO for several years and was President in 1996-97. Presently most of Chris' enthusiasm is directed towards improving Masters swimming in Canada and involving more fitness swimmers. In February, 2004, Chris was elected President of MSC and re-elected in May, 2005. For the past two years, Chris has led the MSC Board of Directors in restructuring of the organization. As a result, new By-laws have been drawn up and approved by the MSC membership and are to take effect next year.

A very deserving new member of the Order of the Soggy Goggles.