Swimming Canada has named a roster of 5 athletes and 6 staff members for the 2026 World Aquatics Junior Open Water Swimming Championships. The event will take place from September 3-6 in Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz, Argentina.
The roster includes Aiden Kirk, who is in his second appearance at this meet.
Kirk was one of Canada’s top performers in the last edition, finishing 13th in the boys’ 16-17 years 7.5km race. He was about three minutes behind the winner. He will now graduate into the 18-19 age category, where he will compete in the 10km race.
Another experienced open water competitor on the roster is Abigail McLeod, who raced at the World Junior Championships in the pool and the Queensland Championships in open water last year. In Australia, as part of a Junior Pan Pac training camp, she finished 3rd overall in the 7.5km swim for 15-year-olds.
At the World Junior Championships, she finished 17th in the 800 free (8:55.94) and 11th in the 1500 free (16:47.22).
“We are delighted to have selected this talented group of young athletes to represent Canada and continue their development in Argentina at the World Junior Open Water Championships,” said Mark Perry, Swimming Canada’s National Coaching Lead. “This team has a great mix of experience and talent which should position them well for success at the event.
Canada didn’t win any medals at the last edition, but tied for 16th in the overall team trophy standings, which awards points based on top 12 finishes in each race.
The team will depart for Argentina on August 29 to celebrate the 7th edition. Over 250 athletes from more than 50 nations are expected to compete.
The meet includes four individual events per gender, plus a pair of mixed-gender relays.
World Junior Open Water Championship Events:
- 3km knockout (open age)
- 5km (14-15 years)
- 7.5km (16-17 years)
- 10km (18-19 years)
- 4 x 1500 mixed gender relay (14-16 years)
- 4 x 1500 mixed gender relay (open age)
Canadian Roster
SWIMMERS
| NAME | CLUB | PERSONAL COACH |
| WOMEN – FEMMES | ||
| Delphine Piatera-Mercier | Neptune Natation | Jeremy Dumora |
| Abigail McLeod | Winskill Dolphins Swim Club | Judy Baker |
| MEN – HOMMES | ||
| Aiden Kirk | HPC Vancouver/ Kelowna AquaJets | Scott Talbot |
| Max Gauvin | Bathurst BLAST | Mohammed Rachidi |
| Kinan Jasem Radhe | Natation Gatineau | Waldmilson Veiga |
TEAM STAFF
| TEAM LEADER & HEAD COACH | Mark Perry |
| TEAM MANAGER | Shari Schaepper |
| COACH | Judy Baker |
| DEVELOPMENT COACH | Jeremy Dumora |
| MASSAGE THERAPIST | Remo Bucci |
| TEAM PHYSICIAN | Rob Brunelle |
Based on the World Aquatics age classifications, Aiden Kirk and Delphine Piatera-Mercier will compete in the 10-kilometre event, Abigail McLeod will race the 7.5-kilometre event, while Kinan Jasem and Max Gauvin will contest the 5-kilometre race.
