98 athletes compete in Calgary at 2014 Canadian Masters Championships

The 2014 Canadian Masters Championships were held on June 14-15 at the Talisman Centre in Calgary. Competing were 98 athletes representing 9 clubs and 4 provinces and ranging in age from 19 to 83.

A synchronized swimmer competes in the “master ” category if she is 19 years old or older and if she is not competing in the Synchro Canada age group category system.

As in most masters competition, a wide range of ages and experience was on display: “We had an Olympic medalist competing as well as many athletes who started synchronized swimming after they turned 40”, said Dot Padget, the Meet Manager as well as a competitor herself. “It is always inspiring to see the senior ladies competing and it is amazing to see the quality of some of the younger teams.”

For many swimmers, the event was their first National competition. Many others will also be attending the FINA World Masters Championships in Montreal at the end of July.

In the solo event, gold medal winners were Aubrey Swift (Regina Synchro, 19-29), Sara Kindt (Lethbridge Synchrobelles, 30-39), Carol Fitzsimmons (Calgary Aquamums Masters, 50-59), Gail McKnight (Edmonton Aquamasters, 60-69) and Marjorie Anderson (Edmonton Aquamasters, 70-79).

In duet, gold medals went to Megan Anderson and Jennifer Leung (Calgary Aquamums Masters, 19-29), Meaghen Figg-Dersken and Shawnti Hooper (Calgary Aquamums Masters, 30-39), Caroline Bolduc and Jane Masood (Independent, 40-49), Carol Fitzsimmons and Kelly Kryczka-Irwin (Calgary Aquamums Masters, 50-59) as well as Anne Kembel and Lorraine Moodie (Lethbridge Synchrobelles, 60-69).

The trio composed of Katrina Field, Shannon Gamroth and Kelsey Koch of the Strathcona Masters took gold in the 19-34 trio event while the Calgary Aquamums Masters did the same in the 19-39 Combo event.

In team competition, the Edmonton Aquamasters captured gold in three of the four age groups (19-34, 35-49 and 65-79) while the Calgary Aquamum Masters came in first in the 50-64 age group.

16 officials were on hand for the event with Catrine Klein from Ontario acting as Referee, Maureen O’Donoghue as Chief Judge and Chris Hampshire as co-Meet Manager.

A banquet was held on Saturday evening at Canyon Meadows Golf Club where many of the clubs took advantage of the beautiful evening to take team pictures on the balcony.

See full results >

About Synchro Canada

Synchro Canada is the national organization governing synchronized swimming in Canada. It represents 10 provincial associations, a territorial association, as well as some 150 clubs and 12,000 members across Canada. A member of FINA, the world’s governing aquatic sports organization, Synchro Canada promotes the quest for excellence by developing the athletes, citizens and ambassadors of the sport of synchronized swimming at every level.

Synchro Canada would like to thank its sponsors:

Program partners: Sport Canada, Own The Podium, the Institut national du sport du Québec

Official Aquatic Supplier: Speedo Canada

Official make up: MAKE UP FOR EVER

Official suppliers: Knox Gelatine, AdUp, National Car Rental

Official hotel: Hilton Hotels Canada

For further information, visit Synchro Canada’s Website at www.synchro.ca or follow Synchro Canada on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

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For information:

Stéphane Côté

Synchro Canada

Communications Coordinator