Barracudas Mentor

By Kelly Sharp

    Head coach Jerzy Partyka talks technique at  Barracudas practice

Drop into the Prince George Aquatic Centre Monday to Saturday morning and you can see why the Prince George Barracudas Swim Club has such a successful program. He is too modest to boast about his accomplishments as head coach of the Prince George Barracudas, but close-to 14 years of mentoring Prince George swimmers is testament enough of how well  Jerzy Partyka has shaped the Prince George competitive swim program. Partyka is one of the longest serving swim coaches for one club in the province, if not Canada. He praised the excellent parent support and dedicated athletes for the success of the Barracudas, a program that has developed swimmers to reach Olympic trials and numerous age-group Nationals.

“You have to have a love for sport,” explained Partyka about his commitment to the Prince George Barracudas. “Working with the young people makes you feel younger,” said the 50 year-old ‘Cudas head coach.

Jerzy Partyka left Poland for West Germany in 1989 after teaching swimming in the communist funded Polish sports system.

Partyka and his family moved to Canada in 1991 where he began to learn English and coach swimming in Ontario.

The long-time head coach of the Prince George Barracudas says he is always learning about the demanding sport of swimming. There is a respect between student and coach that is easy to observe when watching Partyka interact with a young swimmer. The process to reach national level times in the pool is a long one.

“They (swimmers) must learn what expectations are needed be in the top group, what type of commitment they have to make, 5, 6, 7, 8 years,” said Partyka.

The head coach directs the Barracudas competitive program while Jason Smith is coach of the ‘Cudas developmental program. Jerzy Partyka says he is proud of the Barracuda swimmers who are learning life skills besides reaching their goals in the pool. He praises the Prince George swimmers dedication to the classroom and on the water.

“We will give them the opportunity to reach the next level, be a better swimmer and a better person.”

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