By Melanie J. Knox, Opinion Editor
A couple of months ago, Carissa Martus began the process of setting up a synchronized swimming club to begin in the spring semester.
Martus, freshman music education major from Aloha, Ore., participated in a synchronized swimming club for four years, competing at the U.S. Open twice.
“I’ve missed it,” Martus said. “So I thought I might as well start the club as a freshman and hope it is something that will continue after I graduate.”
Martus first approached Lorraine Wilson, associate professor in exercise science and aquatics director, who pointed her in the right direction to begin the club.
“I helped her see some of the groundwork,” Wilson said. “It never hurts to try something.”
After a week of publicizing the club through signs in the residence halls and a myACU announcement, Martus has 37 responses.
“It’s a very fun activity that is unusual and sets you apart,” Martus said. “It’s also a great way to meet other girls and stay in shape.”
Synchro is like dancing in the water with music, Martus said, without touching the bottom.
“It requires stamina and grace,” she said. “I’ve heard it compared to a combination of ballet, gymnastics and sprinting, because it entails all the things needed for those exercises.”
Wilson said that synchro is very difficult.
“The more you build your skill and endurance, the more you will be able to do,” Wilson said. “When it is skillfully done it can also be very beautiful.”
The only students who can join the club are women able to swim 200 yards, and Martus will act as the teacher/coach, teaching the women what she has learned from her experience with synchro.
Currently Martus has not found an adviser for the club, and the club is not official, but she said they will be able to start learning and practicing in the spring regardless.
The swimmers will practice one hour per week, working on laps and synchro skills. After she teaches the elementary aspects of synchro, Martus said they will begin putting moves to music.
“It doesn’t always have to be in synchronization,” she said. “It’s like dance. The moves can interpret the music and complement each other.”
For the practice, the girls will need a cap, goggles, a swimsuit and a nose clip, and the club will need speakers for the music. Martus said she doesn’t think the cost will exceed $100, but likely will be cheaper if she can order in bulk.
For more information, students can contact Martus at clm02e@acu.edu
