Canada Artistic Swimming is proud to announce that Saskatoon has been selected as the host city for its 2021 National Qualifier.
The event will be held at the Shaw Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on March 22-28, 2021. Hosted in partnership with Saskatchewan Artistic Swimming and the Saskatoon Aqualenes, the event is scheduled to welcome over 450 athletes from across Canada.
Canada Artistic Swimming’s National Qualifier is the largest competition on the national calendar, welcoming athletes in the 13-15, junior and senior age groups looking to qualify for the year-end National Championships. In addition, the competition serves as part of the national high performance talent identification process, with top athletes being evaluated by experts throughout the week.
This will mark the first time in seven years that Canada Artistic Swimming stages an event in Saskatchewan, after it welcomed its Open Championships (the Canadian Championships for the junior and senior age groups) at Saskatoon’s Shaw Centre in 2014. Opened in 2009, the internationally-recognized venue features a 10-lane 50m pool that is at least 3m deep over its entire length, making it particularly well-suited for artistic swimming. Ideally located close to the airport and multiple accommodation options, the venue boasts an experienced hosting staff.
Kathleen Reynolds, Executive Director at Saskatchewan Artistic Swimming (SAS), is very proud that Saskatchewan was chosen to host the 2021 National Qualifier Event in Saskatoon. “We’d like to congratulate the Saskatoon Aqualenes for their successful bid – we’re proud to have such dedicated volunteers in Saskatoon and throughout all our clubs in Saskatchewan. Together, we look forward to making this a memorable event for all!”
“It is with great pleasure and excitement that the Saskatoon Aqualenes, in partnership with Saskatchewan Artistic Swimming, will host next year’s National Qualifier,” stated Jennifer Friedt, President of the Saskatoon Aqualenes Artistic Swimming Club. “We’re thrilled to host athletes, coaches and officials from across the country and come together to celebrate this amazing sport. Saskatoon is one of Saskatchewan’s most beautiful cities and our Prairie Hospitality is second to none! See you all in March 2021!”
The City of Saskatoon, through its Sports Tourism bureau, has also committed to support the event. “Saskatoon Sports Tourism is happy to work with the Canada Artistic Swimming to host the National Artistic Swimming Qualifier in March 2021 in Saskatoon,” said Brad Peters, Managing Director of Saskatoon Sports Tourism. “Our mandate is to work with sport organizations of all kinds to bring events like this to our community, and we are confident that this event will appeal to a wide variety of visitors and residents alike.”
The competition will also be the first national event held in 2 years, as the 2020 competitions were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re very enthusiastic about going back to Saskatoon who has hosted great events for CAS previously.” said Canada Artistic Swimming president Judi Enns Bradette. “And we’re especially happy today to announce a return to national competition for our community. We can’t wait to see the talented artistic swimmers from our clubs back in action again!”
More information about the event can be found at artisticswimming.ca/qualifier2021