The Bolts Mission
Thunder Bay Thunderbolts Swim Club (TBT), as a member of Swimming Canada, seeks to foster the growth and development of young people through participation in age group and senior swimming. TBT provides an environment in which swimmers of any age or level may reach their fullest potential. This growth is designed to go beyond swimming and carry over into personal development. TBT offers the facilities and means to enable participants in the program to strive for and attain their own personal goals and to work together as a group to achieve team goals.
History of the Bolts
The Thunderbolts Swim Club was formed in 1972 with the amalgamation of the Fort William “Y” Dolphins and the Port Arthur “Y” Marlins Swim Clubs. Under the coaching direction of Don Talbot, former Australian National Swimming Coach, the Thunderbolts quickly rose to the top of the National and International swimming scene.
By 1975, local swimmers were representing Canada at international meets and swimmers from around the world were coming to Thunder Bay to train with the Thunderbolts. In 1976, the Thunderbolts sent eight swimmers to the Montreal Olympics. The Thunderbolts won the 1977 Women’s Senior Title and the 1978 Overall Winter National Title. One of the most exciting moments in the Thunderbolts history was at the 1977 summer Nationals in Montreal when two Thunderbolt swimmers, Graham Smith and Bill Sawchuk swam under the world record time for the 200 I.M. Smith out-touched Sawchuk by just one tenth of a second.
At the end of 1978 season, Don Talbot, the Canadian Men’s Commonwealth Games and World Championships Head Coach, left the Thunderbolts Swim Club.
The Thunderbolts have experienced many changes through out its history, one of the most recent major changes was the addition of Head Coach Stewart McLean. Stu has demonstrated that the Thunderbolts are on the path to becoming one of the Country's strong competitive clubs. In the past few years, the Thunderbolts have gained momentum under the direction of Coach Stu, not only demonstrating our successes regionally, but showing our provincial and national presence. The Thunderbolts are proud to call the Canada Games Complex home to our programming, our long history at Lakehead University will never be forgotten.
We invite past Thunderbolt members and supporters to add to this living history, please email info@thunderbolts.ca.
BOLTS Board of Directors 2009-2010
The Board of Directors, along with Stewart McLean (Head Coach and Director of Swimming) is responsible for the operation of the Thunderbolts Swim Club. Additionally, each Board member is responsible for a specific portfolio. The Board consists of 9 members elected for a one year term at the Annual General Meeting. Please feel free to contact the Board of Directors for further information regarding any aspect of the Club’s administration, at info@thunderbolts.ca.
- President - Jon Cuthbertson
- Vice President - Leanne Barch
- Secretary - Kim Pelletier
- Treasurer - Ray Halvorsen
- Director of Fundraising - Nadine Fenton
- Director of Meets - Tom Bishop
- Director of Travel & Team Equipment - Shelley Taylor & Charlotte Speziale
- Director of Community Relations - Lars Hurlen
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