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Eric HEDLIN
Sport Open Water Swimming
NOC Canada   
GenderMen
Born18 Apr 1993 in Calgary, CAN
Height1.85 m
 Human Interest 
Further Personal Information
Residence
Victoria, BC, CAN
Sport Specific Information
Club / Team
University of Victoria: Canada
Further Personal Information
Higher education
Computer Science - University of Victoria: Canada
General Interest
Famous relatives
His mother Catherine has competed as a masters swimmer in Canada. (swimming.ca, 15 Apr 2013)
Awards and honours
In 2020 he received the University of Victoria President's Cup award for combining academic and athletic achievement. (timescolonist.com, 06 Apr 2020)

In 2018 and 2019 he was named Swim BC Open Water Swimmer of the Year in British Columbia, Canada. (swimbc.ca, 27 Sep 2019; swimbc.ca, 26 Sep 2018; pacificcoastswimming.com, 23 Sep 2018)

In 2019 he was named Athlete of the Year at the University of Victoria's Celebration of Champions event in Canada. He was also named the 2017 Male Athlete of the Year by the University of Victoria. (govikesgo.com, 05 Apr 2019; timescolonist.com, 10 Apr 2017)
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport?
He took up the sport at age five and competed in his first swim meet at age 10. He got involved in open water swimming in 2013.
Further Personal Information
Languages
English
General Interest
Sporting philosophy / motto
"Anyone can succeed." (islandswimming.blogspot.co.uk, 16 Feb 2012)
Other information
SPORT PREFERENCE
He decided to try open water swimming after failing to qualify for the 1500m freestyle pool event at the 2013 World Championships in Barcelona, Spain. He then went on to win a silver medal in the 5km open water event at the tournament. "I was new to open water, so I didn't know what to expect [at the 2013 World Championships]. I had a very timid goal, I wanted to come top eight but I had no idea what that meant. I think mentally the thing that helps me the most in open water is how much I love it. My passion keeps me focused during the race and also makes me curious about the race and passively think about how to improve." (swimswam.com, 10 Apr 2019; timescolonist.com, 13 Aug 2018; olympic.ca, 08 May 2015; Swimming Canada YouTube channel, 21 Jul 2013)

FURTHER EDUCATION
He has studied for a master's degree in computer science at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. (uvic.ca, 06 Jan 2020)

CHILDHOOD
Born in Calgary, AB, Canada, he was raised in San Diego, CA, United States of America. He returned to Canada after high school to try and further his swimming career at the Victoria Academy of Swimming. (swimming.ca, 28 Jul 2019)
Other sports
He has competed for Canada in both open water swimming and pool swimming. He finished eighth in the 1500m event at the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships in Tokyo, Japan. (SportsDeskOnline, 29 Oct 2020)
Most influential person in career
His father, and coach Ron Jacks. (swimswam.com, 10 Apr 2019; islandswimming.blogspot.com, 16 Feb 2012)
Further Personal Information
Family
Wife Taylor Snowden-Hedlin
General Interest
Hobbies
Cliff jumping. (swimming.ca, 28 Jul 2019)
Further Personal Information
Occupation
Athlete

 Competition Highlights
World Championships
Rank Year Venue Event Result
31 2024 Doha, QAT 10km 1:50:17.9
11 2024 Doha, QAT 5km 51:39.1
9 2024 Doha, QAT 6km - Team Relay 1:07:03.4
31 2023 Fukuoka, JPN 10km 1:54:25.4
26 2023 Fukuoka, JPN 5km 56:54.0
10 2023 Fukuoka, JPN 6km - Team Relay  
3 2019 Gwangju, KOR 5km 53:32.4
13 2019 Gwangju, KOR 5km - Team Relay 56:20.3
14 2017 Budapest, HUN 5km 54:56.9
11 2017 Budapest, HUN 5km - Team Relay 55:58.3
56 2015 Kazan, RUS 10km 1:56:52.3
23 2013 Barcelona, ESP 10km 1:49:54.5
2 2013 Barcelona, ESP 5km 53:31.6
12 2013 Barcelona, ESP 5km - Team Time Trial 57:13.7
World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup
Rank Year Venue Event Result
41 2023 Funchal, POR 10km 1:46:40.2
139 2019   10km  
50 2019 Doha, QAT 10km 1:54:01.5
69 2018   10km  
62 2018 Abu Dhabi, UAE 10km 2:00:21.7
60 2018 Doha, QAT 10km 1:58:28.0
  2017 Lac St. Jean, QC, CAN 10km  DNF
4 2016 Lac St. Jean, QC, CAN 10km 1:57.21
29 2015 San Miguel de Cozumel, MEX 10km 1:42:43.00
19 2014 Lac St. Jean, QC, CAN 10km 2:14:27.3
16 2013 San Miguel de Cozumel, MEX 10km 1:57:49.30
Pan Pacific Championships
Rank Year Venue Event Result
2 2018 Tokyo, JPN 10km 1:58:56.7