Toronto, April 28, 2015 — More than 250 junior and senior synchronized swimmers from across Canada and the world will be at the brand new CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Aquatic Centre (875 Morningside Ave), April 29-May 3, for the 2015 Shiseido Canadian Open Synchronized Swimming Championships.
The athletes will represent 33 clubs from 8 countries and all 10 Canadian provinces during the championships hosted by Waterloo Synchro under the leadership of Synchro Canada. Over 80 coaches and 30 officials will also be on hand.
Canada’s Senior National Team will be in action as it prepares to defend its 2011 Pan Am gold medal at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games in July, which will be held in the same venue. The Canadian team will take part in the free and technical events.
Canada’s duet pair of Jacqueline Simoneau and Karine Thomas also will swim in the technical and free duet events. This will be their last outing before the Pan Am Games where they will be looking to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Simoneau will also take part in the technical and free solo events.
The welcome ceremonies for the Championships will be held at 5pm on Friday, May 1.
Representation from Argentina, Austria, China, Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela
The event will also have an international flavour with the participation from 7 countries that are sending athletes to take part in both junior and senior events.
Qualifying event for the 2015 Junior National Squad
At the Canadian level, junior swimmers will look to qualify for Synchro Canada’s 2015 Junior National Squad scheduled to compete at the UANA Age Group Championships, August 18-23, in Calgary, AB.
The top-35 in the junior figures event will advance to Phase 2, a second figures event scheduled for Friday. The top-25 athletes from Phase 2 will meet again on Sunday for Phases 3 and 4 when the training squad will be selected.
Gala of Champions
The 2015 Shiseido Canadian Open Championships will also include a Gala of Champions presented on Saturday May 2 at 5:15pm. This watershow will feature the champions of the different events presented during the week as well as the international athletes and teams, including Synchro Canada’s Senior National Team.
Schedule for Wednesday, April 29
10am – 2:30pm JUNIOR – Figures
4:50pm – 7:15pm JUNIOR – Solo Prelims
Tickets will be available at the door for $12 per day or $30 for an all-event package.