Love at first sight was the last way Catherine Barrett would describe her introduction to artistic swimming when she first got involved in the sport at eight years old.

After joining a friend for a one week artistic swimming summer camp, Barrett elected to stay involved despite some initial growing pains. It wasn’t until members of the national team visited St. John’s a few years later that this sport became something she had a genuine passion for.

“They would come and get in the pool, teach you basic skills and then most importantly, they gave a presentation about their career and competing internationally, some of them were preparing for the Olympics,” recalled Barrett.

“And I just thought it was the most incredible thing I'd ever heard about in my life. I left there thinking ‘okay, now how do I do that?’”.

Barrett opted to make the move to Toronto shortly after her 14th birthday, billeting with a teammate in order to swim for a club that offered a stronger pathway to the national program.

That sacrifice quickly paid dividends as just a year later she reached two significant milestones in her journey. On top of representing Team Canada on the international youth stage, Barrett also served as the flag bearer for Team NL at the Closing Ceremonies of the Prince George 2015 Canada Winter Games where she competed.

“I was extremely privileged to go to the Canada games myself, representing Newfoundland was just awesome. That was an amazing experience and a great opportunity to represent Newfoundland, especially with being away to still feel connected to my province was special for sure.”

The St. John’s native wrapped up her high school years in Toronto staying involved with various junior national teams along the way until graduating in 2018. Barrett was on the move again – this time to Montreal after getting the call to join the senior national team.

She served as the reserve at several international events for Canada including the 2019 Pan Am Games where her team won Gold to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics the following summer.

As was the case for everyone else across the globe, Barrett’s summer 2020 plans were derailed as the Olympics were postponed, leaving her back at home and unable to hit the pool.

Many of the elements of the Olympic dream a young Barrett envisioned had been compromised by COVID. Health and safety measures made an alredy traditionally grueling training regime too much to sustain and Barrett made the decision to call it quits on her competitive swimming career.

“When we shut down. I came back to St John's and trained on land, doing land activities only for six months. I eventually went back to Montreal in the fall of 2020 but then I ended my career in March of 2021.”

While this decision was a difficult one at the time, it’s one Barrett is at peace with today. A big part of that sense of contentment is thanks to her continued involvement in the sport as both a coach and as the Athlete Council Chair for Artistic Swimming Canada where one of her top priorities is advocating for the mental well being of athletes.

“I think that there’s been a shift in the culture and I’m just trying to make sure that I'm bringing it to the pool as a coach for youth as much as possible,” said Barrett of her using her own experiences to help support the next generation of swimmers. “I don't think I'm a perfect coach. I'm definitely still learning, but it is something that is very important to me, that they walk away, no matter what their level is in the sport, feeling that it was a positive experience and that they have come out of it with transferable life skills. 

“It doesn't not have to be going to the Olympic Games, it doesn't even have to be going to the Canada Games, it could just be participating in our recreational program, I want you to walk away like ‘maybe I wasn't in love with the actual physical aspect of that sport, but I had a good time and I felt supported.’”

A decade after competing herself in Prince George, the latest exciting milestone of Barrett’s journey through artistic swimming will be watching the next wave of artistic swimmers from Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada compete this summer right here in St. John’s.

“I’m so excited that they (Team NL) get to compete in front of a home crowd, I think it'll be like a fantastic experience with your friends and family being able to come out and watch you compete.”

“And I know the athletes, coaches and the staff of the 2025 Canada Games here will show all the other provinces a great time.”

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