 During the summer of 1969, aged 14, the Canadian Dolphins went on their first trip to Europe, where they attended the ASA British Championships in Blackpool.She won five gold medals, swimming in both the junior and senior events, with the significant prize of winning the senior 100 metres backstroke and 200 metres backstroke titles.Next they attended the Canadian Nationals in Montreal, where she won her first National titles in the 100M and 200-metre backstroke, and came away with 4 gold and one silver medal.