Inductees

• Generally regarded as Canada’s greatest swim coach and one of the greatest internationally
• Placed 73 swimmers on Olympic teams, winning 21 medals
• 7 world records
• 6 times Canadian Swim Coaches Association Coach of the Year
• Officer of the Order of Canada (1977)
• International Swimming Hall of Fame (1994)
• Canadian Aquatic Hall of Fame (1994)
• BC Sports Hall of Fame (2006)

• VASC President, Meet Manager and Official
• 1994 Commonwealth Games, Meet Manager

• Owner of Team Aquatic Supplies, over 25 years as the primary sponsor of Swim BC
• Long-time supporter of the BC Swimming Coaches conference

For more than four decades, Dr. Peter Vizsolyi has shaped the landscape of swimming in British Columbia and across Canada through his vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence. He is the first individual to be inducted into the BC Swimming Hall of Fame in two categories – Builder and Coach – a testament to the depth and breadth of his impact on the sport.

Born in Budapest and raised in British Columbia, Dr. Vizsolyi’s lifelong dedication to swimming began as an athlete in the 1960s and 1970s before he transitioned to coaching in 1976. Since 1983, he has served as Head Coach of the University of Victoria Swim Team, where he built one of the country’s most successful and enduring university programs. Through his leadership, university swimming evolved from a recreational pursuit into a true high-performance pathway, providing Canadian athletes with the opportunity to achieve international success while studying at home.

As a coach, Dr. Vizsolyi’s record is extraordinary:

17 Olympians developed under his guidance                                    

100+ international team appointments

73 international medals

Over 400 national and U Sports medals

His athletes have reached podiums at the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, World Championships, and Commonwealth Games, representing Canada with distinction.

Beyond coaching, Dr. Vizsolyi’s influence as a builder has been equally transformative. As Sport Chair for the 1994 Commonwealth Games, he played a pivotal role in the creation and legacy of Saanich Commonwealth Place, contributing to the design, governance, and long-term sustainability of one of Canada’s premier aquatic facilities. His work on the High-Performance User Committee and Operating Agreement Review Board helped ensure that the venue continues to serve both community and high-performance needs.

A respected figure in sport governance, Dr. Vizsolyi has contributed extensively to Swim BC, Swimming Canada, and the Canadian Swimming Coaches Association, where he has served for over 20 years on the Board of Directors, advancing coach education, ethics, and high-performance standards nationwide. As a professor, lecturer, and Master Coach at the National Coaching Institute, he has mentored generations of coaches who now carry forward his influence across Canada and beyond.

A coach, a builder, and a visionary, Dr. Peter Vizsolyi has left an indelible mark on Canadian swimming – one defined not only by medals and records, but by the lasting opportunities he created for athletes, coaches, and the entire swimming community.