Airdrie’s Devon Chernow will be competing at the 2010 Alberta Summer Games in the Peace Region, July 19-25.
The 13-year-old has been swimming for 10 years, and recently qualified to compete in national-level swim meets.
“It’s a big honour,” said Chernow. “You train for it, and you know how hard it is to get. It’s really an accomplishment.”
Chernow enjoys setting goals for himself, having rivals in other clubs and trying to be top dog. But the young athlete has a close connection to his sport, as his mother is his swim coach.
“I started swimming because my mom did it, she encouraged me to try it and I liked it,” said Chernow. “It’s sort of rough, but it’s good too. She always reminds me about what I am doing wrong in the pool.”
Lynne Driessen, Chernow’s mom says it can be tough to play both roles, but what he gets out of the sport is up to him.
“It’s tough being coach and mom, you have to wear two hats,” said Driessen. “I want him to be able to set goals and be the best he can be. If he doesn’t get anything more out of it than physical fitness and friendships, then I am okay with it. What he wants to put in is up to him.”
This year’s Alberta Summer Games will be the second for Chernow.
“(I like) going to the new environment, meeting new people,” he said. “I just want to have a good competition, and more medals to bring home.”
Chernow does not know exactly which events he will be competing in, but says his strongest swimming style is the backstroke.
