Windsor swimmer goes international at 9th Down syndrome swimming championships

An 18-year-old Windsoriteshows up atlanes every day to perfect her strokes and soon she will be one of 22 swimmers representing Team Canada at the 9th Down Syndrome World Swimming Championships.

Julia Lane has been swimming at a national level for a couple years, saidher assistant coach Cord Kitson at the Windsor Aquatic Club. And this time, she'll be bringing her skills to an international stage.

Over 300 swimmers from 25 countries will be headed for Truro, Halifaxfor theseven-day competition starting July 20.

This biennial championship is coming to Canada for the first time this year.

And Julia Lane will be the only competitor from Windsor, Ont.

"I'm extremely proud of her," Kitson said. "I'm more impressed with how hard she works. She comes on deck every day, she works hard."

"Once in a while she gets normal teenage attitude when I push her a little too much," he jokes.

Awareness for swimming with Down syndrome

Lane started swimming about four orfive years ago when her mother, who is a special Olympics swim coach, brought her to the pool.

"She took to it like a fish," said Cynthia Lane, whoechoed Kitson's comments on how Julia never needs nagging to pack her bags for a practice.

This competition will be a great opportunity for Lane, her mother said, because she will be able to compete with other people with a similar physical stature as herself. She will also be meeting new people and getting to travel.

"It gives her that extra opportunity to make sure that she's fully included," said Cynthia Lane.

She also wants to make sure that other parents with kids who have Down syndrome know that they can "get in the pool and swim and go places."

"I am so proud that she has that passion, that she's found something that she can be proud of," Cynthia Lane said.

'She's earned it'

JuliaLane said while "nervous to go" and to compete with the other kids, she's still "very excited."

The 100-metre backstroke is one of seven events she will be competing in. And it happens to be her favourite.

Kitson emphasizes that the swim club doesn't make any exceptions for Lane and practice goes as usual when she shows up.

"We don't change practices for her. We don't modify the sets for her."

"Any time you see a kid work like that and reach the goals that she wants, as a coach, it's amazing to see," he said. "For Julia, I know she works hard, she's earned it."

After this competition, there may be many more in Lane's path. She dreams of becoming a professional swimmer like Kylie Masse, who specializes in the backstroke and has broken multiple records.

"I'm very happy to swim," Lane said.