Paralympic double gold and silver medalist and Parksville's own Nicholas Bennett was honoured by his community outside the main lobby of the Ravensong Community Centre on Friday, Nov. 1. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

golden guy

‘Oceanside is my home:’ Paralympic gold medalist gets hero’s welcome

Nov 1, 2024 | 7:54 PM

QUALICUM BEACH — A Parksville Paralympian with multiple medal wins was honoured by the Oceanside community on Friday, in the very place where he found his love for the pool.

A celebration for 20-year-old Nicholas Bennett took place at the Ravensong Aquatic Centre on Friday, Nov. 1 for his recent Paralympic Games victories in Paris this summer bringing home two gold and a silver medal in multiple swimming events.

Bennett, who was raised in Parksville and now lives in Red Deer, AB, said he was thrilled to be back at Ravensong where it all began, taking some time before the ceremony to give a quick lesson in the pool for some excited kids.

“I haven’t been swimming at Ravensong for almost a year, so a lot of new faces and stuff just showing them what hard work and determination can lead to…started here 14 years ago almost, so it’s been a long road leading to this moment, it’s exciting to see these kids start their journey.”

Joined by family, friends, and members of the community, Bennett relayed his thanks for supporting him, in between autograph sessions with excited fans.

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Sporting his Team Canada Paralympic athletic wear, Bennett signed autographs for ecxited fans of all ages. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

He obtained gold in a Paralympic record time of two minutes 6.05 seconds in the 200-metre individual medley, and also claimed gold in the 100-metre breaststroke, while he scooped up a silver medal in the 200-metre freestyle.

Bennett started his swimming career at the age of seven, joining the Ravensong Breakers Aquatic Club in 2010 and stayed for 12 seasons, quickly racking up wins in the pool.

He said he’s had a lot of exciting moments since the Paralympics, including a personal phone call from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“I was just in Ottawa to help induct a couple of people into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. That was probably the most excited I’ve been. Seeing their endpoint in where their career in sport lead them, and seeing how they’re trying to improve society around sport was just encouraging.”

Bennett was the first Canadian athlete since 2004 to win multiple pool medals at the Paralympic Games and was also chosen as the co-flag bearer for Canada at the closing ceremonies.

Despite all he’s seen and experienced this year, Bennett said it’s always great to come home.

“It’s an honour because I’ve been all over the world, all over the country the past couple of months, but Oceanside is my home and just being celebrated where it all started, it’s just an honour.”

Nicholas Bennett gold medal ceremony in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke SB14 Final at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France on September 2, 2024. (The Canadian Press, Angela Burger)

Proud father Shawn Bennett still feels their whole Paralympic experience was “surreal”, and he couldn’t be more proud of his son.

“I’m swelling with pride, and I have been for some time. Every time we turn around he hits another milestone. We were there in Toronto when he broke the world record for the 200 IM, and we were there in Paris when he touched the wall and got the first silver for Canada, and we were in the crowd when he touched the wall for the first gold for Canada.”

Still living in Parksville, the Bennett family flew to Europe to watch their son compete, followed by some well-deserved vacation time.

Since returning home, Shawn said they’ve been overwhelmed with the amount of support they’ve received, both at home and abroad.

“The first week back running into people, lots of acknowledgment and because we were away a period of time in Europe, we had hundreds of messages and support from all across Canada.”

Also honoured at the Ravensong event were all the other athletes who qualified and participated in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, including Parksville’s own five-time Paralympian Trevor Hirschfield, co-captain of Canada’s wheelchair rugby team.

The City of Nanaimo held a welcome home ceremony for local Ethan Katzberg in September after becoming the first Canadian to win a gold medal in the hammer throw event at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow