Santa Clara Aquamaids

Santa Clara Aquamaids is a synchronized swimming team located in Santa Clara, California. The ages of the athletes stretch from age six to twenty six. Their mission is to "To champion the pursuit of excellence in the international sport of synchronized swimming."^[1] The club, a non-profit, member supported team creates nationally ranked synchronized swimmers of all ages. The Aquamaids have produced over 60% of all Olympic Synchronized Swimmers representing the United States since the sport became an Olympic event in 1984.^[2]

History

In 1964, the club was founded by Wilbur Luick. He hired Kay Vilen as the first head coach. She was praised for her expertise and knowledge on the sport. She had the big ideas and interesting techniques that make the Aquamaids famous today. The Aquamaids were able to attract transfers from other established clubs, including the Howel Swim Club of Walnut Creek, the Athens Club of Oakland, CA, and the Riverside AQuettes. They soon became a leading contender, taking the titles of Solo Champions, Duet Champions, and Team Champions at the Senior and Junior National levels on numerous occasions. After Vilen's death in 1976, the two top swimmers at the time, Gail Johnson and Pam Albin Edwards took over as head coaches, and the club continued to thrive. ^[3]

In 1984, Chris Carver was appointed head coach. Even with no history of participating in the actual sport, her innovative choreography and her great attention to detail is what makes the Aquamaids national champions. This statement is not excactly true. In an interview with the much honored Olympic Coach, she revealed that she had been introduced to synchronized swimming by her swim club coach when she was in junior high school in Palo Alto, California. Then she took part in competitions for the Palo Alto High School District. This was in the early 1950s when the sport was in its infancy and was being made popular by the Hollywood water extravanganza movies of the athlete and movie star Esther Williams. Miss Williams became her inspiration in her choregraphy development and aqua presentations. In addition, Mrs. Carver had joined the Aquamaids on a part-time basis in 1980, coaching the ten-and-under team for four years. Plus, she had come out of retirement the year before from coaching at her local cabana club. For twelve consecutive summers she had coached the Cloverdale Cabana Dolphinettes water ballet team, presenting to the public spectacular performances each year. It was working with this community where Mrs. Carver developed her attention to detail and imaginative water choreography and swimming routines that have been the backbone of her success with the Aquamaids. She owes much of that success to the Cloverdale Cabana swimmers and their families , she said. Chris had a history major diploma from San Jose State and also had a classical music background, for she had played the violin with the Junior Symphony. There is now a pictorial album and written record of Mrs. Carver's early career in synchronized swimming that can be seen upon request at the California Room of the San Jose State University Library. There, one can see her coaching success of starting with only eleven girls in her shows to casts of over forty swimmers, creating and perfecting her talent of musical aqua performances. Her expertise developed as she created routines for well known musical productions such as PETER PAN, THE WIZARD OF OZ, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, SLEEPING BEAUTY, AND THE NUTCRACTER. Check it out. She certainly had had twelve years of experience in coaching young swimmers participate in the sport in creations of beauty on the water.

She has received the "Coach of the Year" award every year for the past fourteen years.

In 2000, Carver was appointed the head coach of the 2000 Summer Olympic Synchronized Swim Team. The nine-member team consisted of seven Aquamaids. The team consisted of Carrie Barton, Anna Kozlova, Bridget Finn, Kristina Lum, Elicia Marshall, Tuesday Middaugh, and Kim Wurtzel. The duet of Anna Kozlova and Tuesday Middaugh also competed. The team came close to a medal, placing fourth. The duet didn't place as well as the team did.

In 2003, Carver and her team were determined as ever before to become a successful team. After three years of training, the same team who competed in the 2000 Olympics competed in the 2003 Pan-American Games. Where the team took a gold medal, and the duet of Anna Kozlova and Tuesday Middaugh took home a gold medal as well.

In 2004, the first two athletes to compete on the US Synchronized Swimming Team were announced. It was the freshly created duet of Anna Kozlova and Alison Bartosik. For the second year in a row, the duet that was representing the US consisted of two Aquamaids. Later the team added five more Aquamaids, and two swimmers that were not from the team. The five other Aqumaids were, Tammy Crow, Becky Jasontek, Sara Lowe, Lauren McFall and Kendra Zanotto. The team places third and was rewarded and bronze medal. This was the first year that the US got a metal since 1996. Anna Kozlova and Alison Bartosik placed third, receiving a bronze medal as well. Kozlova and Bartosik were among only twenty-two other athletes that had multiple metals.

In 2005, Carver stepped down as National Training Coach after twenty-five years to focus fully on the Aquamaids. The club continues to host swimmers from all over the world. They have recruited swimmers from Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Israel, Italy, Russia, Scotland, Switzerland, France, Germany, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Programs

The Full Time Competitive Program

This program meets full time in that the swimmers practice daily, year round. This program places swimmers on a nationally or internationally ranked track. The level of ability ranges from the basic to the most elite level of synchronized swimming. The program accepts swimmers as young as six. The swimmers advance through the full time competitive program based on their age and abilities. The beginning of training starts with the swimmer learning the very basics of synchronized swimming. This includes learning to count music, sculling, beginning figures, land drilling and learning routines.

Novice/Intermediate Part Time Competitive Program

This program meets part time, two to three times a week for 10 months. The athletes in this program compete in local competitions during the Sept to June season in the Novice and Intermediate categories. The Novice/Intermediate athletes are given the opportunity to optionally participate in the annual (July) summer California State Games competition in San Diego. Every year, the Aquamaids sends athletes from the Novice/Intermediate teams to compete with others from all over California in a weekend long event which includes a spectacular parade of athletes opening ceremony. The 'State Games' is a United States Olympic Committee Amateur grassroots games. Although this program does not participate in high level 'National' or 'International' competitions, the exposure to synchronized swimming and learning to compete can lead to continued success on college and university teams. There are many (non varsity) colleges and universities throughout the United States who have Novice/Intermediate competitive teams and welcomes Aquamaids with this level into their respective synchronized swimming programs. The younger 11 and under athletes in the novice program are considered developmental and are prepared for the regular full time high competitive program if they opt to make that transition. The athletes on the Intermediate teams, usually 12 to 17 years old, continue to learn more advanced synchronized swimming techniques throughout the season at a slower pace than the high competitive teams. The Novice/Intermediate program home pool is currently at Los Gatos High School.

Recreational Programs

The Recreational program consists of spring, summer and part time training. The Spring program is considered a one-week 'Spring Camp' program where swimmers can *Try* synchronized swimming in preparation for a full 2 week 'Sync into Summer' camp program offered at various South Bay locations from June through August, where they will learn the basics and practice routines as well as have fun and decide if the full time or part time competitive programs are for them. The Aquamaids also have a part time (Tues/Thurs) program in Menlo Park, which is beginner developmental training and participates in some local competitions.^[4]

References