VICTORIA – It was part competition, part comedy, and all heart at the University of Victoria's McKinnon Pool on Sunday, September 8, where the Vikes 'Flutter' Kick Cancer event made quite the splash—literally. Vikes varsity athletes came together for a friendly competition among their peers, trading their kicks for swimsuits and raising $600 during the two-hour event.
   
The cause? Raising awareness and funds for the Canadian Brain Tumour Society in honor of UVic men's soccer alumnus Mackenzie Rigg. Rigg passed away on March 11, 2022, 19 months after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

What happens when you pit a swim team against, well, everybody else? A lot of belly flops, some questionable diving techniques, several very tight races and way too many laughs. The swimmers, known to glide through the water like fish, had their fins clipped—forced to don life jackets, sneakers, and even jeans to even the playing field. Picture Michael Phelps wearing a pair of Crocs, and you'll get the idea.

"It was awesome to see all the teams come together and be super excited, and it was great to fill the stands. I'd seen other schools try similar events but never connected to a fundraising initiative. Vikes Kick Cancer is such an important fundraiser for our community, so I wanted to combine the two events and help support the cause," said Vikes third-year swimmer Erin Epp.
 
"I knew everyone would be pretty good swimmers because they are all great athletes, but they were really good. We [Vikes swimmers] wore life jackets and shoes to even the playing field and we didn't stand a chance," continued Epp.

While the swim team still managed to squeak out some wins in their life jackets, the track and rowing teams took to the pool like ducks in a showdown that had the crowd roaring.

With Canadian junior triathlete Colette Reimer leading the charge, the track team showed that speed on land could translate to speed in the water, while the rowing team, with its cadre of former swimmers, was no slouch either tying the cross country and track team for the top spot on the day.

"It's incredible to see the athletes, particularly the swim team, take on this initiative to bring all the teams together in a fun showcase for such a meaningful cause. It's a perfect example of how the Vikes not only excel in competition but also coming together for a greater purpose, making a real difference in our community," said Associate Director of Sport Compliance and Student Support, Julianne Zusman.