Chris Smith - Vicepresidente (BERMUDA/CANADA)

Profession: Architect and Urban Designer (retired)

He grew up in Bermuda and swam at a young age, was captain of his high school swim team. He played water polo at University. Became involved as a Swim Official in the 70s and is a Master Official (Level V). Has officiated at the National and International level, has managed numerous swim meets, including several Masters Championships. He is on the Board of the Ontario Swimming Officials Association and runs officials clinics in Ontario and Bermuda.

He discovered Masters Swimming in 1988 and joined the Masters teams at the Toronto YMCA and in Bermuda. He served on the Board of Masters Swimming Ontario for six years and was President in 1996 and 1997. He is currently on the Board of Masters Swimming Canada and is Vice President. He is actively involved at the YMCA with their adult swim programs. He persuaded the Bermuda Masters to participate in the 1995 LatyCar meet in Barbados and all subsequent LatyCar meets. He organized an Ontario Team of 25 swimmers who participated in the FINA Masters World Championships in Christchurch, N.Z.

Since joining Masters in the 55 – 59 age group, he has managed to improve his times for all events over 100m with each new age group. Now in the 70 – 74 age group, he broke the Canadian Record for every event he swam at Christchurch and swam the breast leg of a World Record medley relay. He holds several LatyCar Records.

He practiced architecture in Sweden, Canada and Bermuda. Involved in development of high rise office buildings to new residential neighborhoods in derelect sections of cities. His wife, Alison is from Trinidad and Barbados. He has four children, five grand children.

A strong proponent of the ‘Swimming for Life’ concept, encouraging adults to stay fit and healthy through swimming. He believes it is important for Masters to control their own sport when ever possible. He sees great value for adult swimmers everywhere in the international connections and friendships developed through organizations such as LatyCar.