When it comes to physical fitness, Kelowna residents take pride. The city has produced some amazing athletes, that inspire the best of us.
Here are 10 notable athletes who have called Kelowna home:
Taylor Ruck
Taylor Ruck is an Olympic level swimmer. She won two Olympic bronze medals as part of Canada’s women’s 4×100 metre and 4×200 metre freestyle relay teams at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Josh Georges
Josh Georges is a retired NHL defencemen who played for the San Jose Sharks, Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres.
Georges played his junior years with the Kelowna Rockets before making the jump to the NHL. He finished his career with 124 points in 783 games.
Byron Dafoe
Byron Dafoe is a former National Hockey League goaltender. From 1992 to 2004, he played for the Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins and Atlanta Thrashers. He was a second-team All-Star in 1999.
Christie Van Hees
Christie Van Hees is a retired racquetball player. She won two World Championships in women’s singles and was the highest-ranked women’s professional player at the end of the 2004-2005 season.
Justin Schultz
Justin Schultz is an NHL defencemen currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was a major part of the team that won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017.
Tess Critchlow
Tess Critchlow is a professional female snowboarder.
Since 2001, Critchlow has entered nearly every snowboard competition held at Big White Ski resort.
In 2013 and 2014 she won back-to-back junior national titles and has also recorded numerous Nor-Am Cup podium finishes at Big White.
She is currently competing at the Inaugural Barrels and Berms FIS SBX World Cup at Big White Ski Resort.
Malindi Elmore
Malindi Elmore is a track and field runner who specializes in the middle-distance events. As of Jan. 19, 2020 she holds the record for the fastest time run by a woman in a marathon at 2:24:50.
Steve Bozek
Steve Bozek is a retired NHL player who spent 11 seasons in the league playing for Los Angeles, Calgary, Vancouver and San Jose. He was known for his hard-shot and being a reliable 200-foot player.
In 641 NHL games, he registered 331 points.
Kelsey Serwa
Kelsey Serwa is a retired Canadian freestyle skier who was a member of the Canadian national ski cross team. She won a gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang and a silver medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
READ MORE: Rockets get healthy, snap streak with 3-2 win over T-Birds