Catalinas: A synchronized effort

By Jennifer Lord
NH Mirror Staff

If you’ve ever seen a synchronized swimming routine, you were probably watching the Summer Olympics on TV.

Did you know you can watch it, even learn how to do it, right here in New Hampshire?

The YMCA Allard Center in Goffstown offers synchronized swimming classes for children and a master’s program for adults. A growing number of girls are trying out the class and competing in the sport.

(Courtesy Photo) Catalinas coach Veronica Meisser, left, and assistant coach Cynthia Boisvert get ready to perform a two-person routine.

Veronica Meisser of Weare took over teaching synchronized swimming at the Allard Center in 2001 when the previous instructor left. Her small group started competing in 2004, and in 2006 the Greater Manchester YMCA Catalinas was officially formed.

Today the team includes 12 children and three adults in the master’s program. They also have six girls in the beginner’s class.

Meisser’s story
Water sports have been a huge part of Meisser’s life, beginning with her childhood days growing up in a family of six children in Bedford, Mass.

“When my family first joined a swim club, I wanted to be on the swim team, but I hadn’t developed enough swimming stamina yet,” Meisser said. “Then I heard about something called ‘water ballet.’ It was a very laid-back, non-competitive form of synchronized swimming.

“I’m more of a graceful swimmer than a fast swimmer, and I was an ice skater at the time, so it was a good fit. After my first show, I was hooked. My strength and stamina increased, and later I joined the swim team and diving team and became a lifeguard.”

In the beginning, synchronized swimming was a fun, low-pressure hobby for Meisser. She enjoyed the sport so much, she decided to take it to a competitive level. She attended Smith College for her senior year and competed for their synchro club.

“When I made the switch to competitive synchronized swimming, I realized how much I had to learn. I also had to unlearn some bad habits,” Meisser said. “When I became a competitive coach, I really felt out of my league. I bought a lot of books and videos, and I asked a lot of questions. The other New England coaches have been very helpful. Everyone wants their own team members to succeed, but there’s an even greater commitment to the sport and to helping it grow.”

Strength and grace
From her years of experience, Meisser can tell you a synchronized swimmer’s smooth, graceful appearance above the water stems from hard work under the water.

The sport is very physically demanding, especially at the higher levels. Competitors need to be strong swimmers, as well as graceful and flexible, plus have good breath control.

“A lot comes down to proper technique, though,” she said. “Once you learn the correct positions and sculls, you spend less time fighting with the water.”

While you need to be in good shape to participate in the sport, swimmers can participate for many years because the body doesn’t endure the harsh pounding that comes with other sports.

“Synchro is not as hard on your body as some sports are, so it can be a lifelong sport. I’m still learning and improving, even as I’m getting older – whereas my skills from my other sports have declined,” Meisser said. “There is a master’s swimmer from Massachusetts who won gold in the 80- to 89-year-old age division at Nationals a couple of years ago. I think she is turning 90 this year. They will have to create a new age division for her. What an inspiration!”

The art of teaching
Boys and girls can start taking synchronized swimming at the age of 6. Meisser said the first thing they learn are sculls, which teaches them basic propulsion – how to stay in position and how to move through the water. Next they learn strokes, followed by figures; for example, the ballet leg or back somersault tuck.

Then they’re ready to learn routines. Meisser said they first practice out of the water and learn the moves to a count. Then they begin practicing the routines in the water. The routines are set to music, which they can hear through underwater speakers.

The youngest competitors all perform the same technical routine, while the older swimmers perform choreographed routines that include required technical skills.

Adult competitors perform two routines – one for technical skills and the other a free routine – much like you see in figure skating.

Meisser said girls with a gymnastics or dance background tend to enjoy synchronized swimming. She offered the following advice to any youngster who’s thinking about giving it a try:

“I would encourage her to try out our beginner class or, better yet, to come see our show. Young swimmers should be able to swim at least two lengths of the pool and be able to tread water before they try synchro. Learning the basics can be challenging, but everyone gets so excited when it is time to learn a routine. They suddenly figure out what it is they’ve been working toward.”

The world of competition
Since beginning classes and practices back in the fall, the Catalinas are about to enter a busy competition season.

The team will compete in April at a New England Synchronized Swimming Association meet in Worcester, Mass. Qualifying swimmers will compete at regionals in Andover, Mass., followed by the United States Synchronized Swimming Association Eastern Zone meet in New Jersey in June.

In addition, the Catalinas will perform a public show at the Allard Center in Goffstown on June 20. Friends, family and anyone interested in checking out the sport are welcome.

In case you’re wondering if you’ll see girls with fancy makeup and sequined swimsuits, it depends. The Catalinas are pretty new to the competition scene, and Meisser said not everyone dresses up.

“In the higher levels, many people order expensive custom-made suits. But with the younger or less-competitive swimmers, most people buy matching suits off the rack,” she said. “They may dress them up with sequins or other designs. One of my swimmers got creative and Bedazzled her suit last year.”

To learn more about synchronized swimming, call the YMCA Allard Center at 497-4663.