Keeping seniors active and engaged is the goal of the Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association (S.S.F.A.) and that’s been on display this week with the 55+ Provincial Games here in Moose Jaw.

92-year-old Katheryn Groshong wasn't a competitive swimmer in her younger years, but she decided to give it a try after joining up with the S.S.F.A. in 1995. Since then, she's been to three national championships and has collected a ton of medals. 

Groshong added four more medals on Wednesday as she picked up two silver and two bronze during the 55+ Games swimming competition at the Kinsmen Sportsplex.

"The Senior Games promote seniors being active and they learn new things, so it's good for them physically and mentally," said Groshong after receiving her medal haul.

"It's wonderful for your health and it gets you out to socialize, it's just wonderful."

The Weyburn product learned to swim in a river when she was about eight years old, but had never raced competitively until she was in her 60s.

"My cousin showed me how to swim when I was about eight and I still use that stroke that I made up that day, that's my freestyle stroke," she said.

"I was playing cards and when they came around to ask what you'd like to go in this year, I thought, 'Swimming!', and they said nobody ever does swimming, they were so happy about it. I only knew one stroke and how to float on my back then, but I got busy and learned a few more strokes."

Groshong said the games are about so much more than just the competition.

"It's been great fun through the years, when my husband and I had a camper, we would go and make a holiday out of it," she said. "The most important part is that it can do a lot for your physical health. Five years ago, I broke my arm slipping on the ice and I was able to do my therapy at the pool."

There was eight swimmers between the ages for 55 and 92 that competed in the event on Wednesday. 

Groshong finished second to 88-year-old Mary Brown in the 100-metre backstroke. Brown ended up with four gold medals on the day, taking top spot in the 50m backstroke and freestyle, as well as the 100m freestyle.

Brown and Groshong competed against each 20 years ago at the provincial games in Weyburn.

"She took the gold and I took the silver then and she got me again," said Groshong.

Denise Gilewisz picked up gold in the 59-and-under division's 50m and 100m freestyle and backstroke; Carol Starrak won gold in the 60-64 division's 50m and 100m breaststroke and freestyle; Kathryn Pulles-Henick claimed gold in the 65-69 division's 50m and 100m breaststroke and freestyle; and Marilyn Butler walked away with gold in the 70-74 division's 50m freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke.

The 55+ Games will close out here in Moose Jaw on Thursday.