William SLATER

Bill Slater took up swimming in 1953 and, within two years, was noted as one of the top competitors in the Vancouver area. One year after that, he was given the opportunity to take his talents international when he was selected to represent Canada at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. There, he was eliminated in round one of the 400 metres freestyle and came in fifth in the 1,500 metres freestyle. He had better luck at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, where he won a bronze medal in the 4x220 yards relay, alongside Kenneth Williams, Cam Grout, and the non-Olympian Peter Bell. He was also fourth in the 1650 yards freestyle event and was eliminated in the heats of the 440 yards competition. Later that year, the Canadian Amateur Swimming Association awarded him the Sir Edward Beatty Trophy as the top Canadian male swimmer.

Over the course of his career, Slater set nearly 20 Canadian records across various distances. He attended the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and swam for the school’s collegiate team. He turned professional in 1962 for a brief period, and later worked in business with Phillips, Hager and North Investment Services in Vancouver.