David Sharpe has rewritten Swim Nova Scotia’s record book over the past year and enjoyed every minute of it.
And while the Halifax native is only too glad to continue etching his name in provincial swimming history, what he wants even more is to see each of his 12 records fall.
“I don’t want to just be good,” Sharpe says. “I want everyone in Nova Scotia to get better so we can compete with the other provinces. For us to compete with the other provinces, every one of my records needs to be broken.”
Sharpe, who set 36 records in a one-year span, leads Nova Scotia into the Canada Summer Games in Prince Edward Island starting Saturday. He’s the flag-bearer for the closing ceremonies and one of the province’s top medal hopefuls after coming off a silver-medal win at this year’s senior nationals.
The 18-year-old is competing in seven events and is ranked No. 1 in the 100-metre backstroke and 200 butterfly.
“I’m definitely a medal contender in those,” said Sharpe, who will swim for the Dalhousie Tigers this fall. “It’s not a guarantee I’m going to win but I’m certainly going for it.”
When it comes to swimming’s controversial suits, Sharpe says he’ll be at a slight disadvantage wearing only LZR racer leggings. He expects Ontario and Alberta swimmers to have the newer, reportedly faster Jaked full-body suits.
While Sharpe doesn’t hesitate to admit the LZR has helped him post faster times, he won’t be trading up for a Jaked — and he’s not second-guessing his decision, either.
“It’s a slower suit, but it doesn’t matter,” Sharpe said. “You still have to race. I could have gotten a (faster Jaked suit) but I didn’t want to. The suits are going to be banned soon, so if I can win without one, I’m going to be happy.”
