Guelph's Carey-Payne appreciates transformation she sees among young swimmers

Burlington, Ont. (by David DiCenzo) - Water is essential for life. It’s a simple rule of nature. It is equally important to Chantique Carey-Payne, an element that has been an integral part of her human journey. The head coach of the Guelph Gryphons varsity swimming teams first dove into a local pool as a novice child before ascending to collegiate star and inspirational leader.

For years now, the Brantford native has guided other young athletes who love the water as much as she does. It’s strange in a way, because Carey-Payne had a pretty modest view of herself before she set foot on the U of G campus as a first-year student back in 2007. A stocked trophy case is a testament to her personal successes in the pool. Carey-Payne is certainly humble as both a successful athlete and a coach, but her impressive medal haul over the course of four years as a Gryphon swimmer is indicative of her talent and ferocious competitive instincts.

“I never considered myself to be anything special,” Carey-Payne says of her first year at the U of G. “I was a very good regional athlete, but I had never won any provincial competitions. I improved a lot at university and started setting higher goals.

“It was the faith that others had in me and my abilities that started to open my eyes.”

Don Burton, the Guelph head coach at the time, was one of the people who knew precisely what Carey-Payne had within her. By the time her collegiate career ended, she had amassed 11 OUA medals, with eight more at national championships. Seven of those OUA medals were gold, and she was named provincial First-Team All-Star in every season, as well as a Second Team All-Canadian in 2009 and 2011. In 2010, Carey-Payne earned First-Team All-Canadian honours for her nationals victory in the 50m butterfly, was the Guelph swim team’s MVP, and took the Gryphon Athletics prestigious Shirley Peterson Award for Most Improved Female Athlete.

As many elite swimmers do, Carey-Payne closed in style with one of the best senior years ever by a Gryphon athlete. She capped her provincial varsity tenure by taking home two golds and establishing an OUA-record time in the 100m butterfly.

“I had a lot of success, but it definitely left me wanting more,” says Carey-Payne, who added two more bronze medals to the case at the 2012 Summer Canadian Championships.

“There are still a lot of ‘what ifs?’ that ran through my mind. It plays a big part in my drive and how hard I push my athletes.

“I don’t want any of them to finish off their careers wondering if they could have done more.”

Carey-Payne understood from an early age that our experiences play an important role in shaping us. Her caring parents Jasmine and Vernon Payne were happy to provide opportunities to grow within their Brantford community. After Carey-Payne’s older sister Myekah had a bad initial experience in the pool, a family friend suggested the kids try the swim school at the competitive Brantford Aquatic Club.

She fell in love with the sport. Her idol was Canadian Olympian Joanne Malar and Carey-Payne has vivid memories of watching her first Olympics, highlighted by Aussie Ian Thorpe’s domination in the pool on his home turf at the Sydney 2000 Games. She participated in other sports like track, cross country, and basketball, but the pool was where she was most at home, even though it sometimes meant being a lone black athlete among mostly white competitors.

Carey-Payne continued to swim for Brantford Aquatic Club until she left for Guelph. She knew that to swim competitively, the effort is massive, both in terms of training and the financial commitment from her parents. That appreciation for what is required was never lost. So at Guelph, Carey-Payne embraced the long hours and chaotic schedule.

“It was extremely hard,” she says. “At the peak of my training, I was working out 25 hours a week, on top of being a student and working part-time. I had to pay for my rent, food, and tuition, be in school to compete for the team, and train in order to perform at the level I wanted.

“I couldn’t get rid of anything – or else I would lose everything.”

That eye-opening experience would serve Carey-Payne well as she transitioned to coaching. She was perceived as a leader. At Guelph, Carey-Payne was the team captain, a responsibility that involved working with a number of different personalities and a need to see things from everyone’s unique perspective.

She actually started coaching at just 13 years old, leading the novice programs at her Brantford club. Working with kids was a joy, just as it was for her father Vernon, who was a beloved elementary school principal. When Carey-Payne moved away for university, she connected with the Guelph Marlins Swim Academy and earned a role at the renowned program, where she coached toddlers to octogenarians, all of differing abilities.

By 2015, Carey-Payne became one of Burton’s assistants with the Gryphons. She learned how the entire program operated, though dryland planning and implementation became a focal point. Just two years later, Carey-Payne was appointed to her mentor’s former role, becoming the first-ever black woman head coach at a Canadian university swim program.

It’s been an amazing experience, though it came with challenges.

“Becoming a head coach at a young age was a bit difficult,” says Carey-Payne, who was 27 at the time. “Colleagues and other coaches still viewed me as that student-athlete, so I always felt I had a lot to prove. I’ll never be able to express my gratitude for the amount of support I have received here throughout my time at Guelph.

“What I love most is seeing a young swimmer’s transformation. I’ve been coaching in Guelph in some capacity for almost 15 years. There are kids I taught their first lessons to who are now closing in on the end of their varsity careers. Watching them figure out where their strengths lie, what kind of athlete they are, and what kind of human they want to be as they navigate life is incredible.

“Having the patience to listen and understand is still something I focus on.”

It was inevitable Carey-Payne would become a successful leader of people. She also kept her competitive instincts satisfied beyond university swimming by participating in the sport of competitive lifesaving, which Burton introduced her to back in 2008. Carey-Payne competed for Canada in four World Championships and a Commonwealth Championship, before joining the national organization as a coach. She has a deep passion for the sport and appreciates how it showcases strengths and improves the longevity of multi-sport athletes.

Despite Carey-Payne’s young age, she has seen significant changes in swimming. As the face of the U of G program, inclusivity is a priority. She wants to expand opportunities, specifically for kids of colour, who are less likely to enter the sport.

Carey-Payne, more than most, knows the beauty of being in the water.

“Swimming has continued to evolve over the years,” she says. “The techniques, the rules, the attire, the training, so much has changed. It’s incredible to watch records being broken that we thought would stand for decades. It’s gained more respect as a sport, especially within Canada.

“I love that kids can look up to Olympic champions and world-record holders in their communities and know that is possible for them, as well.”