Congratulations to Aerin England, selected as Olympium Synchro’s Athlete of the Month for January, 2013. Aerin is in her third year of Olympium’s High Performance Program and her first year of FINA Junior.  Aerin successfully attended Hollycrest JMS’s High Performer school program and is currently attending high school in her home town of Burlington.  Aerin shares her thoughts on school/training balance, focus and the importance of self discipline with OSSC.

Q: Aerin, you won gold in 13-15 Solo, placed 4th in 13-15 Figures, 23rd in Junior Figures and 7th in Junior Duet. What do you feel has had the biggest impact on helping you achieve your recent success at Provincial Qualifier?
A: I think the the help from my coaches and my fellow athletes has played a huge impact on my success at Provincial Qualifier. Without the dedication from the coaches and the motivation of  my team mates I definitely don’t think I would have done as well as I did.

Q: What do you see as your biggest challenge?
A: My biggest challenge is making sure that I maintain a balance in between my swimming and my schoolwork while still making sure that I have enough time to rest in between.

Q: How do you overcome challenges?
A: Organization is very important skill to have when you tend to get pretty busy. This is a skill that I am constantly working on, but I have learned that it is definitely a key element in finishing what seems like a daunting day.

Q: Focus is a critical skill for high performance athletes. When you arrive at the pool at 6 am looking forward to a 5 hour practice, how do you stay focused?
A: Taking your day one task at a time and really living in the moment helps me to keep my focus. If you start thinking ahead to what you have to do next your aren’t going to be able to execute what you are doing at the moment to your best ability.

Q: At the recent Provincial Qualifier Meet, you competed in Junior Figures, 13-15 figures, 13-15 Solo and Junior Duet.  On the Saturday you went from figures to figures to duet .  This is a busy day filled with quick mental changes.  How do you stay focused?
A: Competition days can get pretty hectic, especially if you have multiple events in the same day, which is why before a competition I have to sit down and plan out when I am going to do even the small things like eating a snack. The short breaks in between events is an important time to give yourself a mental break, this allows you to have complete focus when you need it in the pool.

Q: In addition to your training schedule, you also are a freshman in high school.  You attend your home high school in Burlington and have to move quickly from pool to school.  How are you able to stay on top of your school and homework?
A: Sometimes it can be difficult to sit down and get your homework done, which is something I learn time and time again. You just have to motivate yourself to get it done as soon as you get home so that you have the rest of the night to relax.

Q: Do you have any tips or tricks to share with your fellow athletes?
A: Remember that you swim because its fun and enjoy the time you get to spend with your team mates and coaches at the pool. In the end these are the memories you are going to have from your time in the sport, so make them count.

What do you see as necessary to you to achieve your goals at the upcoming Provincial Trials meet?

What are your goals for the balance of the year?

We are happy to report that we have secured pool time for our High Performance Program with the City of Toronto.  Our High Performance program will operate out of The Elms pool Monday to Friday starting September 2013.  We look forward to announcing alternate pool locations for evening and recreational programming in the near future.

Many of you are aware of the closure of the Etobicoke Olympium beginning July 2013 in preparation of the 2015 Pan American Games. By hosting the Games a number of City of Toronto facilities will undergo capital improvements, including the  Olympium. The Olympium will serve as a training venue during the Games for aquatic sports including swimming, water polo, diving and synchronized swimming.

At this time we are working closely with the City of Toronto and Toronto Lands Corp to secure pool time in TDSB pools that can accommodate our recreational and evening competitive programs during the closure of the Olympium. We are waiting for confirmation from Toronto Lands Corp on the locations and times we have requested. As specific details have not been finalized, once this has been done a follow up letter will be sent to all of our members.

Attached please find a letter from our Head Coach, Elena Podolsky and President, Donald Taylor addressing all aspects of the closure. Click here to read the full text of Elena and Donald’s letter: Pan AM 2015 Renovation

Donald Taylor                        Elena Podolsky
President                             Head Coach

Coach Aurora’s Madison is the latest baby to be welcomed into the Olympium Synchro family.  We are delighted to announce her eagerly anticipated arrival.  Madison joined us on 12-12-12.  Mom and baby are doing well and we all look forward to meeting her in the new year.  Photos from Coach Aurora’s shower will be posted shortly in the 2013 Season Gallery.