User:Its dan rad/Santa Clara Aquamaids

Santa Clara Aquamaids The Santa Clara Aquamaids is a synchronized swimming team located in Santa Clara, California. The ages of the athletes stretch from age six to thirty six. Their mission is to "To champion the pursuit of excellence in the international sport of synchronized swimming." The club, a non-profit, member supported team creates nationally ranked synchronized swimmers of all ages. The Aquamaids have produced over 60% of all Olympic Synchronized Swimmers representing the United States since the sport became and Olympic event in 1952.

History

In 1964, the club was founded by Wilbur Luick. He hired Kay Vilen as the first head coach. She was praised for her expertise and knowledge on the sport. She had the big ideas and interesting techniques that make the Aquamaids famous for today. After the death in 1976, the two top swimmers at the time, Gail Johnson and Pam Albin Edwards took over and head coaches.

In 1984, Chris Carver was appointed head coach. Even with no history of participating in the actual sport, her innovative choreography and her great attention to detail is what makes the Aquamaids national champions. She has received the "Coach of the Year" award every year for the past fourteen years.

In 2000, Carver was appointed the head coach of the 2000 Summer Olympic Synchronized Swim Team. The nine-member team consisted of seven Aquamaids. The team consisted of Carrie Barton, Anna Kozlova, Bridget Finn, Kristina Lum, Elicia Marshall, Tuesday Middaugh, and Kim Wurtzel. The duet of Anna Kozlova and Tuesday Middaugh also competed. The team came close to a metal, placing fourth. The duet didn't place as well as the team did.

In 2003, Carver and her team were determined as ever before to become a successful team. After three years of training, the same team who competed in the 2000 Olympics competed in the 2003 Pan-American Games. Where the team took a gold metal, and the duet of Anna Kozlova and Tuesday Middaugh took home a gold metal as well.

In 2004, the first two athletes to compete on the US Synchronized Swimming Team were announced. It was the freshly created duet of Anna Kozlova and Alison Bartosik. For the second year in a row, the duet that was representing the US consisted of two Aquamaids. Later the team added five more Aquamaids, and two swimmers that were not from the team. The five other Aqumaids were, Tammy Crow, Becky Jasontek, Sara Lowe, Lauren McFall and Kendra Zanotto. The team places third and was rewarded and bronze metal. This was the first year that the US got a metal since 1996. Anna Kozlova and Alison Bartosik placed third, receiving a bronze metal as well. Kozlova and Bartosik were among only twenty-two other athletes that had multiple metals.

In 2005, Carver stepped down as National Training Coach after twenty-five years to focus fully on the Aquamaids. The Aquamaids are currently have had 13 consecutive National Championship titles.

They are currently the most decorated synchronized swimming team in the world. They recruit swimmers from all over the world. They have recruited swimmers from Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Scotland, Switzerland, France, Germany, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Programs

The Competitive Program

This is the program that puts the swimmer on a nationally or internationally ranked track. The level of ability ranges from the absolute basics to the most elite level of synchronized swimming. The program accepts swimmers as young as six. The very beginning of training starts with the person learning the very basics of synchronized swimming. These things include, learning to count music,sculling, beginning figures and land drilling. This is the foundation that could lead a swimmer to national or the Olympic track.

Recreational Programs

This program that consists of three programs. The 'Synch into Summer' program, the 'Friends, Fitness, and FUN!' Program, and the 'Los Gatos Novice/Intermediate' program.

Synch into Summer

This is a program that meets everyday for 6 weeks and teaches an eager swimmer the very basics of synchronized swimming. Aspiring synchronized swimmers usually take this program before entering the competitive program. This program also gets to compete in a friendly summer competition against other summer programs in Sacramento. This program accepts people of all ages and only meets in the summer.

Friends, Fitness, and FUN!

This also teaches the basics of synchronized swimming, but does not compete. They also do not meet as often as the summer program. The ages ranges from six to twelve and meet only twice a week.

Los Gatos Novice/Intermediate

This program is the next level above the 'Friends, Fitness and FUN!' program. This program meets two to three times a week for 10 months. The program competes in small, local meets at a higher level than the summer program.

Aquamaids Bingo

The Aquamaids Bingo Hall was created in 1974 to help raise money for the club. It is number 7 out of America's Top 10 Bingo Halls, and brings in over $100,000 dollars a week. Games include Blackout, Four Corners, Cross, and Diamond. They also sell Cherries and Flash cards.