麻豆社区

Malwina Bukszowana's biggest fear about her new coaching job has nothing to do with swimming.

The 32-year-old Poland native spent the last four years in Dublin, Ireland as the head coach of the Trojan Swim Club before joining the Whitehorse Glacier Bears for the start of this season.

She is bracing for a cold winter following her mild, rainy years in the Irish capital.

"I don't like the cold, so I don't know what I'm up to,鈥� she chuckled during an interview at the Star this morning. "I will have to buy a lot of warm clothes.鈥�

While winter weather in Ireland got down to a brisk minus five degrees, Polish winters averaged between minus-10 and -20.

Bukszowana knows she's in for a change in the Yukon capital.

The new head coach is ready for the change, however.

"I had a good last season in Ireland, and was looking for a change in coaching, and weather,鈥� she said. "I hope to build the Glacier Bears into a stronger club.鈥�

Bukszowana first heard about the Glacier Bears when the Bakica family dropped by her swim club during their holidays in Ireland a few years ago. She has kept up with Fiona Bakica, the mother of young swimmers Thomas and Luke, ever since.

Bukszowana said she will bring hard work and attendance to her new post, adding she expects the same out of her young swimmers.

"I expect them to be there and commit to work hard,鈥� she said. "My priority is to work to make the kids happy and improve lots of personal best times. Then I will see where we can go.鈥�

The coach said her favourite swim style is the breaststroke, with her favourite races including the 400-metre IM and long distance freestyle.

Bukszowana arrived in Whitehorse a couple of weeks ago, and has been adjusting well to Canadian culture.

A number of years ago, Bukszowana spent 10 days in Vancouver competing in a triathlon in her only previous visit to the country.

"The weather was very Irish,鈥� she remembered.

Bukszowana began swimming at the age of six, but said her true love is open water swimming, including triathlon and swimming in lakes.

After falling in love with open water, she proceeded to begin racing in her home country. She never lost a race there, but said she couldn't be proud of her accomplishment because the group of competitors was so small.

She went on to compete at a variety of world championships, European championships and World Cups in open water categories.

Since arriving in Whitehorse, she has attempted a swim near Miles Canyon, but exited the chilly water soon after jumping in.

Bukszowana became a swim coach shortly after completing her studies in physical education at the University of Szczecin in Poland.

She coached the Irish swim club to new heights, leaving the Trojans with more national and Irish age division swimmers. Her ultimate goal is to become an Olympic or world championship coach.

Besides swimming, Bukszowana said she is also interested in table tennis and kick boxing.

Glacier Bears swimmers were introduced to their new coach last month at a barbecue lunch at the Copperbelt Railway and Mining Museum.

Training for the new swim season will begin on Sunday.