With their Olympic berths confirmed in both duet and team competitions, Canada’s National Artistic Swimming Team has commenced an 11-month long training plan leading to the 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan next August.
With almost a full year of intense preparation ahead, the team has taken a fresh approach to prepare for their Olympic competition. The athletes are currently at bootcamp in Stoneham, Quebec where they’ve been participating in cross-training activities like hiking, canoeing and break-dancing – working hard on new skills, having fun and bonding as a team.
And in October, they will begin a three-stop tour that will take them from one end of the nation to the other. Clubs from across the country were invited to bid to host the National Team, and three communities were chosen from the many applicants.
The team will start their club visits in Prince George, BC, at the Prince George Water Lilies, then travel to Winnipeg to the Aquatica Synchro Club and finish up with Newfoundland & Labrador Artistic Swimming in St. John’s, NL.
“It’s an opportunity for different parts of the country to see the best artistic swimmers in Canada right in their community,” said Jackie Buckingham, CEO, Canada Artistic Swimming. “We want to encourage young athletes by bringing the elite athletes of the sport to their club, letting them get to know our national team members on a personal level, and inspiring their own dreams to succeed in the sport.”
The national team athletes will take part in a variety of activities at each stop, with interactive sessions, clinics and meet and greets planned for the several days of each visit.
National Team Club Visit Tour
Prince George Water Lilies – Prince George, BC
Dates: Oct. 22-26
“The PG Water Lilies are honoured and ecstatic at the opportunity to host our 2020 Olympic Artistic Swimming Team. Artistic Swimming is a recent addition to Prince George, with the current club celebrating its seventh season. Having the highest level caliber athletes train and perform in our city would provide incredible exposure for our sport in Northern BC and the surrounding communities and, additionally, draw potential athletes to try a sport they didn’t know existed. This opportunity is truly immeasurable to our local club and the sport of artistic swimming in Prince George.” – Nicole Barager, Head Coach, Prince George Water Lilies
Aquatica Synchro Club – Winnipeg, MB
Dates: Oct. 28 – Nov. 1
“Aquatica Synchro is honoured and thrilled to welcome Canada’s Olympic artistic swimming team to our club. This will be a fantastic learning opportunity for our athletes and coaches. After the success of last year’s men’s team, which has helped our club reach historic registration numbers, we know that this visit from our Canadian Olympic team will help grow the sport in Manitoba even more!” – Michelle Savard, Registrar, Aquatica Synchro Club
Newfoundland & Labrador Artistic Swimming – St. John’s, NL
Dates: Nov 25-29
“Newfoundland & Labrador Artistic Swimming is honored to welcome the 2020 Olympic Training team to our beautiful Province. This once in a lifetime opportunity will be a huge boost to the Artistic Swimming community Province wide. NLAS is eager to show off the team’s amazing strength and ability and, of course, give our local artistic swimmers a chance to see their idols in person. Because of this outreach program we have already established new partnerships with municipalities and government agencies as they rally around us to ensure a stellar visit to NL for the potential Olympians and a phenomenal event for our own athletes. See you in November!” – Jennifer Folkes, Newfoundland & Labrador Artistic Swimming
More details will be released closer to the dates of the visits, and media opportunities for each club visit will also be identified.