Olympium Synchro is currently recruiting to fill the position of Head Coach. You can view the posting here.

April Athlete of the Month: Dana Yawney

Dana has been named OSSC Athlete of the Month for April in recognition of her achievements at the National Qualifiers and at Nationals.  It is Dana’s first year of swimming at the National level and she has distinguished herself with her hard work and achievements.   This award recognizes not just Dana’s success but all the effort, dedication and passion that she puts in in the pool.

Q: Dana, you are now in your seventh  year of synchronized swimming.  This is your first year of Junior FINA and you moved away from home to pursue your passion. At National Qualifier you qualified to swim at nationals in both solo and with your duet patner Aerin England, in duet.  At Nationals you were 57 in figures, 18 in Solo and 16th in Duet all in your first year!  What do you feel has had the biggest impact on helping you achieve your success?

A: My awesome coach Elena Podolsky and my parents.  Thanks Mom and Dad!

Q: What do you see as your biggest challenge?

A: Learning new and intricate choreography is something I struggle with.

Q: How do you overcome challenges?

A:  I always go to friends and family for support

Q: Focus is a critical skill for all athletes.  When you arrive at the pool at 6 am every day looking forward to a long practice before a busy day at school, how do you stay focussed?

A: To become the best you have to train like the best, and I just try and think of all the benefits the training we receive has, so that when you go off to nationals you will be able to perform to the best of your abilities. I constantly remind myself of the goals I have for the year.

Q:In addition to your training schedule, you also are also in the TDSB’s High Performer Program at Silverthorne.  How are you able to stay on top of your school and homework?

A: It requires a lot of focus, and you have to constantly push yourself to stay focused. I just remind myself how important school is.

Q: Do you have any tips or tricks to share with your fellow athletes?

A: Always give 100% in whatever your doing, this is something I sometimes regret not doing.

Q: What did you see as necessary to you to achieve your goals this season?

A: Lots and lots of hard work, family and friend support and focus

Q: Looking forward to summer, what will you be doing to stay in shape physically and mentally ?

A: During the summer I will continue to train as much as I possibly can to stay in shape and be physically ahead when I start swimming again in September. This is something that will help me obtain better results next season.

Q: Evelyn, you are now in your fifth year of synchronized swimming. Even though you are 12U, you are swimming up to 13-15 FINA this season. In addition to the new requirements for 13-15 FINA, you are also continuing to develop your 12U skill sets! At the recent Central/North Regionals meet, you won gold in 12U figures and gold in solo and silver in duet. What do you feel has had the biggest impact on helping you achieve your recent success at Central/North Regionals?

A: I always love to improve and whenever I get something correct that I’ve been working on I move on to something else right away. This helps me because there is no time in between to not improve I just keep on going. Then when I’m at a meet I only have to remember a few corrections, which helps me focus. Also at competitions I bring little notes with corrections on them to read before each figure and routine.

Q: What do you see as your biggest challenge?

A: My biggest challenge has been my flexibility and extension. I work on it almost everyday to make it better. This is my biggest challenge because I am not naturally flexible which means it’s hard for me to become flexible and even harder to stay flexible.

Q: How do you overcome challenges?

A: I overcome challenges by spending time every day trying to work on them to make them better.

Q: Focus is a critical skill for all athletes. When you arrive at the pool at 7 am every day looking forward to a long practice before a busy day at school, how do you stay focused?

A: It’s not possible to be completely focused for four hours practice and school, but I stay in a good zone of focus by thinking about what I am doing right there and then and not the next thing.

Q: In addition to your training schedule, you also are also in the TDSB’s High Performer Program at Hollycrest JMS. How are you able to stay on top of your school and homework?

A: I keep on top of my homework because without practice in the evening I can have 1-2 hours to do my homework if I need it, which allows me to complete everything for the next day.

Q: Do you have any tips or tricks to share with your fellow athletes?

A: If you have something you really need to improve work on it whenever you can. Also don’t stop stretching over summer break or you will realize you are nowhere near what you could do the year before.

Q: What do you see as necessary to you to achieve your goals at the upcoming Espoir 11-12 Competition?

A: To keep working on my flexibility and extension and remember my corrections for figures and routine.

Q: What are your goals for the balance of the year?

Some of my goals are: to keep working on flexibility and extension, to improve my figures for nationals and 12U figures for nationals and Trilliums. And to have a good sharp team swim at nationals with a high highlight.

Looking for something for the boys? Try our Multi-Sport Aquatic Camp. Developed through a strong collaboration between SWIMMING, DIVING, WATER POLO and SYCHRONIZED SWIMMING!

Our High Performance Camp returns at the popular Smythe Pool.  For two weeks only, August 12-16 and 19 – 23, 2013! Don’t miss this opportunity to sample one of the most comprehensive conditioning & skills development programs in the province!!

Marissa Enns has been named OSSC Athlete of the Month by the OSSC Coaches in recognition of her achievements at the Central/North Regionals meet.  This award recognizes notjust Marissa’s success but all the hard work, dedication and  that she puts in in the pool.

Q: Marissa, you are now in your second year of synchronized swimming.  You recently won bronze in 10 U figures and with your team placed 5th.  You are also practicing your 10U pre-set solo in preparation for  the 2013 12 & Under Open Provincial Championships (Trilliums) where last year you placed 10th swimming in your first year competitively. What do you feel has had the biggest impact on helping you achieve your recent success at Central/North Regionals?

A: The biggest impact helping me achieve the results in Sudbury was a focus on hard work and effort by me and my coaches.

Q: What do you see as your biggest challenge?

A: My biggest challenge will be team.  We are young and in a very competitive  age group.  We work very well together and will focus on our effort and do our best.

Q: How do you overcome challenges?

A: I just get through my challenges by calming down and thinking about them.

Q: Focus is a critical skill for all athletes.  When you arrive at the pool at 6 pm looking forward to a long practice after a busy day at school, how do you stay focussed?

A: I try to make sure I am ready for my practice by relaxing after school and know that when I arrive at the pool I have to be ready for a good practice.

Q: In addition to your training schedule, you also are also maintaining high grades in school.  How are you able to stay on top of your school and homework?

A: I try to get as much done at school or on the bus home.  As soon as I get home from school I have a snack then do my left over homework as quickly as possible so I can have some free time before dinner.

Q: Do you have any tips or tricks to share with your fellow athletes?

A: Try to lay in your bed to rest for a while and do something relaxing. Always try to shower quickly so you can get home and get to bed earlier.

Q: What do you see as necessary to you to achieve your goals at the upcoming Hilton Cup meet and Age Groups?

A: Keeping focussed and doing our best!

Q: What are your goals for the balance of the year?

A: My goals are to try to come top six in solo at Trilliums.  Also to achieve top 6 in figures at both meets and have a great year with my teammates.

Olympium Synchro’s Summer Synchro camps are filled with fun, friends and fitness.  OSSC offers camps for all levels of swimmers, from those new to the sport of synchronized swimming to the high performance athlete. Tired of swimming in straight lines?  Synchro combines the elegance of dance with the athleticism of gymnastics in the water!  Let our coaches show you how to Sync, Swim and SOAR. Participants need to be able to swim 2 widths of the Olympium pool, previous synchro experience is not required.

Looking for something different? Try our Multi-Sport Aquatic Camp. Developed through a strong collaboration between SWIMMING, DIVING, WATER POLO and SYCHRONIZED SWIMMING the Olympium Aquatics Camp will give young athletes an ability to experience all four aquatics disciplines.

Our High Performance Camp returns at the popular Smythe Pool.  For two weeks only, August 12-16 and 19 – 23, 2013! Don’t miss this opportunity to sample one of the most comprehensive conditioning & skills development programs in the province!!

Synchronized Swimming Camps
July 2-5, 9:00am – 4:00pm
July 8-12, 9:00am – 4:00pm

Olympium Synchro is delighted to offer our popular Synchronized Swimming camp. Swimmers will be grouped according to age and ability making this weeks camp suitable for swimmers new to the sport and also those looking to improve their skills for next years season. The camp will provide a complete training program focused on enhancing synchro skills and flexibility to positively position the athlete to continue with the sport in September.  This camp is suitable for competitive swimmers. In addition to synchronized swimming skills, programming will include gymnastics, yoga, speed swimming and more!

Camp Location: The Etobicoke Olympium, 590 Rathburn Rd. Toronto, ON. For more information on the multisport aquatic camp, visit olympiumaquatics.com

 Register Online for Synchronized Swimming Camp

Multi-Sport Aquatic Camp
July 8-12, 9:00am – 4:00pm

SWIM! JUMP! SCORE! GET THE FULL OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE BY TRYING ALL FOUR AQUATIC SPORTS
Developed through a strong collaboration between SWIMMING, DIVING, WATER POLO and SYCHRONIZED SWIMMING the Olympium Aquatics Camp will give young athletes an ability to experience all four aquatics disciplines.

The program stems from the belief of interrelated fundamental aquatic skill sets while targeting young athletes who are looking for diversity, specialized instruction and competitive fun.

Female athletes will participate in all four sports, while male athletes will focus on Swimming, Diving and Water Polo with additional focused training in aquatic movement literacy.

Camp Location: The Etobicoke Olympium, 590 Rathburn Rd. Toronto, ON. For more information on the multisport aquatic camp, visit olympiumaquatics.com

Register Online for Multi-Sport Aquatic Camp

Elite High Performance – For two weeks only, August 12-16 and 19 – 23, 2013! Don’t miss this opportunity to sample one of the most comprehensive conditioning & skills development programs in the province!! Dryland & in-water training that includes: Skills Development, Flexibility Training, Stroke Improvement, Endurance / Cardio, PLUS Diving & Dance instruction for better poise & agility.  this summer we are delighted to be extending our programming to include theatrical training and make up design.

Register online for High Performance Camp

10U Team Struck Silver (with Coach Jordan Field and Coach Aurora Daumarie)

Congratulations to all of our athletes on their outstanding results!  This was a highly successful meet for the club and we would like to thank our athletes, coaches and parents for making everything perfect. Full results at Synchro Ontario.  More photos from the event here.

Our 13-15 team had a superb routine swim and placed 7th in a field of 11!  It is a tribute to the effort these young ladies have put in to their exciting circus themed routine.

The 11-12 AG had many successes. It was a golden weekend for Evelyn Young who placed first in figures and solo!  In duet, Evelyn and Andrea Corrales-Malaga brought home silver and Andrea placed 6th in figures for a ribbon.

Ivana Doneva and Bella Hajdu had a lovely swim with their Beatles inspired duet and placed 6th in routine.  Claire Christie and Kirstyn MacGillivray showed enthusiasm and energy in their pirate duet, wowing the crowd.

Kate Cullen competed the first solo of her synchro career at regionals.  She had a gorgeous swim and her coaches were thrilled with her performance.

The 11-12 Team placed 5th in routine and championship adding to the success in this age group.  The swim was lovely.

In 10U, Jordan and Aurora’s team placed 2nd and brought home silver!  Congratulations to all for a great swim! Marissa Enns on placed  3rd in 10U Figures!

Jeanine Enns brought home TWO medals in AWD-P!   Jeanine was GOLD in Solo and Silver in figures.

A very special thanks to our coaches for their hard work, dedication and support. It was amazing to sit in the stands and see all of the love support and dedication of our coaches down on deck.  While all of our coaches go above and beyond, we’d like to make a special mention of Coach Aurora who flew up to Sudbury for the day to support her team. Thanks Aurora for being so dedicated.

Thanks as well to Gary Enns for hosting and Andrew Cullen for helping organise an unlooked for dinner party at the hotel for the coaches and athletes.  It was a great surprise at the end of a long day.  Olympium Synchro dads sure set the bar high for the future!

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?