More than 325 synchronized swimmers traveled to London, ON, last May 30-June 3 to compete in Synchro Canada’s 2017 Espoir Canadian Synchronized Swimming Championships. The competition, which featured great performances and enthusiastic crowds all week, was hosted by the local London Synchro Club in association with Synchro Canada and Synchro Swim Ontario.
The participating athletes, who ranged in age from 11 to 15, competed at the Western Student Recreation Centre.
National Champions
The finals for the team event for the 11-12 and 13-15 age groups were held on the last day of the competition, on June 3.
In the 13-15 age group, the Calgary Aquabelles repeated as champions in the team event. Their “Insects” program earned the highest score of the field for their routine, 78.1667, and also had the top cumulative score of 147.5143. Montreal Synchro won silver, scoring 76.0667 for their routine and a cumulative score of 144.5525. Taking the bronze medal in the 31 team field was Granite Synchro from Toronto, with a routine score of 75.0000 and a cumulative score of 143.1169.
In the 11-12 team event, with eight entries in the field, Montreal Synchro took top honours with a championships score of 62.2201. Taking second with a score of 60.8372 was Chaco Synchro from Toronto who just stayed ahead of Calgary Killarney Synchro who finished third in a tight race with a score of 60.7608.
National champions were crowned in 10 other events during the competition – here is a list of the 2017 winners:
| EVENT | WINNERS | CLUB |
| 11-12 – Figures | BOILARD, Jeanne | Québec Excellence Synchro |
| 11-12 – Solo | BOILARD, Jeanne | Québec Excellence Synchro |
| 11-12 – Duet | BOILARD, Jeanne / TROTTIER, Léanne | Québec Excellence Synchro |
| 13-15 – Figures | CZARKOWSKI, Jaime | Calgary Aquabelles |
| 13-15 – Solo | HOFFMANN, Teah | Calgary Aquabelles |
| 13-15 – Duet | FINN, Scarlett / GOSSLING, Flynne | Granite Synchro |
| SSWCD Level 2 – Figures | PAPILLO, Stephanie | BC Aquasonics |
| SSWCD Level 2 – Solo | PAPILLO, Stephanie | BC Aquasonics |
| SSWCD Level 4 – Figures | BLAINEY, Angel | Granite Synchro |
| SSWCD Level 4 – Solo | BLAINEY, Angel | Granite Synchro |
Teah Hoffmann wins Cairns and Parent Trophy
Teah Hoffmann, from the Calgary Aquabelles, was awarded the Cairns and Parent Trophy for the 2016 National Espoir Championships. The award is given every year to the athlete in the 13-15 category who competes in figures, solo, duet and team and accumulates the highest aggregate score.
Hoffmann, from Calgary, AB, was 2nd in figures, 1st in solo, 2nd in duet (with partner Dana Brunskill) and 1st in team.
Terry Hambrook Memorial Trophy
The Terry Hambrook Memorial Trophy was presented to Laura Swift from Dollard Synchro. It is awarded annually to the most promising coach who displays all-around coaching abilities in figures, solo, duet and team in the 13-15 age group at the Espoir Synchronized Swimming Championships.
The athletes represented 36 clubs from 8 Canadian provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan) during the championships. Over 120 coaches and officials were also in attendance.
All results can be found here.