StarPlus classes run for twelve weeks from January to May. Swimmers learn basic synchro strokes and figures by working through a series of skill awards (Star levels) developed by Synchro Canada. The group will work together as a team to develop a routine that they will perform at our Year End Watershow on May 12! Swimmers of all ages who are comfortable in deep water (swim level 5) are welcome.
Canada’s synchronized swimming elite, including VPW Head Coach Kara Kalin, will gather in St. John’s N.L., on November 18-20, 2011 for the inaugural Synchro Canada Annual Convention. Invitees include experts and national senior team member Valérie Welsh as well as coaches Meng Chen and Kasia Kulesza, also a silver medalist from the 1996 Olympic Games.
The theme of the convention ‘’The Road to the Podium’’ will assemble 80 Synchro Canada employees, committee members, athletes, coaches, national senior team specialists, developmental and high performance coaches from across Canada, Canadian international and national officials and provincial association members.
Synchro Canada will capitalize on its stay in the Newfoundland and Labrador capital to leave a rich technical legacy to the province’s athletes and coaches by conducting seminars hosted by national team members. Valérie Welsh, a member of Canada’s gold medal winning team at the 2011 Pan Am Games, and Kasia Kulesza, a 1996 Olympic silver medallist in the team event and now part of the national senior coaching staff, will share their technical expertises and their passion for the sport to young athletes and coaches from Newfoundland and Labrador. Synchro Canada is celebrating the 15th anniversary of Canada’s Olympic silver in team event at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Meng Chen, coaching staff member of Synchro Canada’s Senior National Team who won a gold medal in the team event at the 2011 Pan American Games and a 2012 Olympic Qualification, will also be there to lead workshops for participants at the convention. She was also the head coach of Synchro Canada’s 2010 Junior National Team who got the bronze medal in solo, duet and team at the FINA World Junior Championships.
‘’Synchro Canada is pleased to assemble its members for the first time in Newfoundland and Labrador,’’ said Synchro Canada’s CEO Catherine Gosselin-Després. ‘’We want to leave a legacy to our 220 members in the province. With these seminars we hope that all our members including those from Newfoundland and Labrador can help contribute to Canada’s current rise among the world’s elite.’’
Our 2011-2012 Competitive Season is well under way. We are pleased to field multiple teams in all categories this year, from beginner star swimmers, to high performance athletes with their eyes on a spot on the national team!
Pools are always a juggling act for us, and we thank our parents for their patience as our training has “gelled”. Extra routines have been assigned, music is being cut, competition suits are with the designers, and we even have our first training meet under our belt. We have a fantastic group of skilled and energetic coaches guiding motivated and gifted athletes.
Thanks to all our volunteers who have helped to get this season off the ground. This club cannot run without you. We are FULL SPEED AHEAD!