Barry Saretsky’s swimming journey began with a simple invitation—joining his high school swim team alongside a friend. What started as a fun activity quickly turned into a lifelong passion when he broke the Edmonton City Finals Novice 100 Free record. From that day forward, he was hooked.
Over the past 40 years, he has built an incredible swimming career filled with milestones and memories. During his college years at NAIT, he broke an impressive 11 school records. Transitioning to Masters swimming with the Edmonton Masters Swim Club, he continued to raise the bar—breaking multiple Canadian records in various age groups. A standout moment came in 2004 when Barry qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 100m butterfly while in the 30–34 age category.
Now swimming in the 55–59 age group, he continues to defy expectations. Earlier this year, he broke three Canadian records and came within a tenth of a second of the world record in the 50m butterfly. His goal was clear: to return to the pool and chase that elusive world title.
Update – May 2025:
Barry attended the 2025 Canadian Masters National Championships in Saskatoon and made swimming history—breaking the World Record in the 50m butterfly for the men’s 55–59 age category with a stunning performance. This marks his first individual World Record, an achievement he has long been working toward. As if that weren’t enough, he also broke another Canadian Record in the 100m Individual Medley at the same meet. Truly an unforgettable weekend.
Of course, this level of dedication doesn’t come without its challenges. For him, the biggest obstacle has always been finding time—balancing training with work as a shift Process Operator, and making sure there’s still space for family and friends. Yet he continues to push through, fueled by his love of the sport, the joy of competition, and the inspiration he finds in fellow swimmers around the world. He also stresses the importance of recovery. “Train hard but remember to rest. Nutrition, sleep, and monthly massages all play a key role in helping your body recover and perform at its best.”
When he’s not in the pool, Barry lives a well-rounded and active life. He plays hockey weekly, has recently picked up pickleball, and enjoys golf during the summer months. Traveling with his wife and two sons—who also share in many of his hobbies—brings balance and joy to his schedule.
For aspiring athletes, he offers this heartfelt advice. “Find something you enjoy doing and set realistic goals that you can achieve. The satisfaction of reaching those goals is incredibly rewarding.”
His outlook on life and sport is inspiring. “Enjoy what you do. Life is too short not to try. Whether you win or lose, the journey matters. You don’t have to be competitive to have fun.”
