Swimmers climb out of the pool and gather around the iPads lining the deck.

Onscreen, underwater footage reveals what the eye can’t always catch from above: the smallest adjustments that can make the difference between a personal best and a podium finish.

For UBC Swimming, those moments have become part of the pursuit of excellence.

Last season, UBC’s men’s and women’s teams swept the national championships for a second consecutive year. Behind that success was a powerful combination of talent, dedication and a community of supporters committed to helping student-athletes thrive.

Through Back the ’Birds—UBC Athletics’ annual day of fundraising to support varsity student-athletes and teams—donors helped fund four high-tech underwater cameras that stream footage directly to iPads on the pool deck, giving swimmers and coaches immediate feedback during training.

“It’s been a real game-changer,” says Head Coach Derrick Schoof. “Swimmers really use these cameras to help themselves with their technique, help the coaches help them with their technique, and it’s a great way for them to see themselves swim and work on their swimming.”

For fourth-year student-athlete Amaris Peng, the technology has transformed the way swimmers learn.

“There’s only so much that can happen with coaching above the pool because a lot of it happens underwater,” she says. “Sometimes it’s hard to know what your own stroke looks like.”

Schoof says the technology helps keep UBC Swimming on the cutting edge.

“Donor support fully funded these cameras, and it’s really taken our program to the next level. I think it really had a big impact on our performances this past year.”

Of course, championships aren’t built on technology alone.

UBC swimmers train approximately 25 hours each week while balancing the demands of university life, often beginning before 6:00 am.

“They need to have excellent time management skills, they have to be super disciplined, and they impress me every day,” says Schoof. “Every day that they come to the pool, they need to make sure that they’re on top of their studies in order to prepare well.”

Peng says swimming has given her more than athletic opportunities.

Through a mentorship tradition known as “mama ’birds and baby ’birds,” experienced teammates help younger swimmers navigate university life.

“When I came into my first year, I had a really great mama ’bird,” says Peng. “She taught me a lot about not just swimming, but life skills that I’ll carry forward into the future.”

As UBC Swimming continues to set records and raise banners, Schoof is quick to recognize the donors who make those achievements possible.

“Plain and simple, my message is thank you,” he says. “We are so grateful for their support. All the support that the donors provide the program goes basically directly to the student-athletes. And that gives them opportunities that they wouldn’t have without it.”

For Peng, the impact is equally clear.

“Thank you so much,” she says. “It’s done wonders for the way that we train and it’s a direct investment into our program and helping all of our swimmers compete at a really high level and bring home banners.”

Through Back the ’Birds, donors aren’t just supporting a championship program. They’re helping student-athletes gain the tools and confidence they need to succeed—in the pool, in the classroom and beyond.