Since she started swimming at the age of six, Gwen Coubrough has developed into strong competitive swimmer, recently getting a chance to test her meddle at the International Children’s Games in Estonia.
Coubrough, who is currently swimming for the Brantford Aquatic Club (BAC), explained her beginnings in the sport.
“I started swimming because my dad was a national level swimmer…but, I just love swimming. I’m not much into group sports, so swimming was just one of those sports where I had to rely just mostly on what I was capable which made me enjoy it a lot more,” said Coubrough. “I didn’t get into competitive swimming until I was eight, but I remember when I was in Grade six…I went to the regional meet, where I qualified for my first provincial, which made me realize how fast and good the competition was. After that it sparked my drive to be the best I could be [and] pushing me want to continue competitively.”
However, Coubrough who originally trained with Ancaster Alligators Swim Team for years, eventually joined the BAC, looking to be challenged.
“This will be my third year with the Brantford Aquatic Club…I joined the BAC when I was 13. At that point, I decided that I really wanted to take my swimming to the next level. Over the years with the club, I’ve gotten so much better where before this, I was barely making any regional times. Now I’m in a spot where I could get to the top in the province,” she reflected. “I had a chance to compete at the provincials in my first year with BAC, getting to the finals in all of my events. And then I went to Winnipeg for the provincials this year, I made it to the finals in all of my events too. I also ended up coming top five in an event that I just started training for a couple months prior and with a time that I was really proud of.”
Coubrough’s mom Laura, also noticed a huge improvement in her daughter’s swimming performance since joining the BAC.
“Her growth has been exponential over the last couple of years because of the opportunities that are available to her through the Brantford Aquatic Club…we have also found that families and the other swimmers have been very supportive and are like family to us,” she said. “Coach Joni [Maerten-Sanders] has really helped Gwen, making sure she was prepared especially for Estonia. You really can’t ask for much more from a coach. Joni and the coaching staff have been exceptional in terms of their overall support for her.”
Coubrough echoes similar sentiments about her coach Maerten-Sanders, who brings 39-years of coaching experience to the BAC.
“She’s been a great coach for me since she started with BAC last year. She’s been helping me through everything, including improving my technique and the mental side of things. She knows so much, and she’s so experienced when it comes to swimming, and I don’t know where I’d be without her,” she noted.
Coubrough, who specializes in the 200, 400, and 800 freestyle as well as the 200 butterfly, has been drawn to longer events, getting a chance to compete overseas in Estonia in August from the first to eighth.
“I knew about that event through a friend of mine…and my father looked into it. And then just a few weeks later, the coach for the swimming events contacted my dad, asking if I would be interested. I jumped at the chance to go. Before going, I didn’t realize how many high-caliber swimmers there were…and I ended up meeting so many different people from so many different countries, and all of them had different experiences and really enjoyed talking with them and making friends…I would go on to meet a group who were competing at the World Junior Championships after Estonia…it was really cool to see them on TV after racing against them,” she said. “For the results, I raced in the 400 freestyle and I was an alternate, and then for the 100 freestyle, it didn’t really go how I wanted it to go… I also had my 4×100 freestyle relay, where our team came fourth, missing out on a bronze by 4/100 of a second. The next day, I had my 200 butterfly. I was in sixth going into the finals, and then came out seventh.”
As Coubrough has developed into a better swimmer, she looks to work closely with coach Joni Maerten-Sanders, to plan for her goals.
“I’m going to sit down and have a talk with my coach to go through a lot of goals that I have that are short-term and long-term. And then when I plan out where I want to be, that’s put it in action,” she reflected. “But a dream of mine would be to go to a D1 school…I know how much effort and work I’m going to need to put in in order to accomplish that which I am willing to do. Another goal of mine is to compete at nationals, which I will be training hard for.”
Maerten-Sanders, who has trained Coubrough at BAC and was with her and the team overseas, reinforced the swimmer’s potential.
“This past season was my first with the BAC and with Gwen…she’s a hard worker and once she sets goals for herself, she is determined to achieve them. She is always willing to try new events and started racing distance this past season,” Maerten-Sanders explained. “Her biggest strength is her [focus] on getting better and her dedication to the sport. I believe Gwen has the drive and determination to continue swimming into university… [and for] the next three years we will be working towards that goal as well as getting ready for qualifying for the 2028 Olympic trials,” Maerten-Sanders said.
