Synchronized swimming comes to the Pine Island Pool
First made popular in the 1940s by legendary freestyle swimming champion Esther Williams, synchronized swimming is gaining in popularity nation-wide. This far reaching sport will make its way to the Pine Island Pool thanks to swimming coach Wendy Stafford who has led her team to numerous victories over the last few years.
“We see the Pine Island Community Pool as our home and we are doing our best to reach out to the youth of Pine Island,” said Stafford. “My goal is to have more of the island kids in the program, and I am looking forward to getting the program off the ground this fall.”
Stafford will be offering classes at the Pine Island Pool every Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. beginning on Sept. 12, with the fall classes culminating with a recital that has been scheduled for Dec. 12. At this time, most of Stafford’s students reside in Cape Coral and she has primarily been teaching at the Yacht Club in Cape Coral with occasional practices at the Pine Island Pool.
This past year, Stafford took her team, the Sunshine Synchro Splash, to the 30th annual Sunshine State Games. According to Stafford, the Sunshine State Games are an important place for future Olympians to get their start.
“Our youngest participant, at age 7, won a bronze medal in figures and won the bronze in solo. We are all very proud of her achievements,” said Stafford. “Our duet team captured the bronze in the duet competition and both duet partners placed in the top seven for figures.”
Stafford said that her swimmers practice three days a week for a total of 4 1/2 hours a week learning the basics of synchronized swimming and how to perform in a show atmosphere. As they progress, the team members will learn more advanced skills. In addition, Stafford’s teams swim year-round which she believes aids in their physical abilities and keeps them committed to the sport.
Synchronized swimming, also known as water ballet, was first demonstrated at the 1952 Olympic Games and became an official Olympic competition during the Los Angeles Games in 1984 with both solo and duet events. Winning the gold that year was Tracy Ruiz from Seattle, Wash., who has continued her involvement in the sport as a commentator during Olympic coverage as well as other nationally televised synchronized swimming events.
For more information about joining the Pine Island Sunshine Synchro Splash classes, call Stafford at 233-3813 or visit mysynchorstory.com