By Cynthia Lockrey
Mary Paridaen van Veen comes from a family with strong connections to the swimming community in the Cowichan Valley. And it is this family involvement that makes her first gold medal win at the Cowichan 2018 BC Games even more sweet.
Her father, David van Veen, is volunteering as the meet manager of the swimming competitions while her sister, Sophie, is volunteering alongside him at the pool.
On Friday, Mary brought home a gold for Zone 6 (Cowichan Valley - Central Coast) at her home pool, Cowichan Aquatic Centre, with teammates and coaches from her local swim club cheering her on.
“I’m so proud of Mary,” says her mother Margaret Paridaen. “She has been swimming since she was five years old and is calm and cool under pressure.”
Mary’s first gold was in the 200m Butterfly, girls 14 and under. She is competing in five more races in these Games.
