Local Youth Synchronized Swim Team Makes A BIG Splash

One of the only youth synchronized swimming teams south of Boston held their End of the Year Show and free trial class at the Wheaton College Haas Athletic Center in Norton on June 18th at 4:45 PM. Admission was free and open to the public.

The team worked hard all year long and competed in five local area meets and a zone meet in Buffalo, NY this year. The competitive season is winding down and they were ready to show off all their hard work in an hour-long performance.

“I had a really great year in synchro this year. It was a lot of fun doing lifts with my duet partner and team,” said Eily Buchanan, an intermediate member of the team who just finished her third year as a Synchronette.

The performance showcased 11 synchronized swimming routines, including lifts, splits, twists, and enough time spent under water for the audience to question whether they are watching 9-15-year-old girls or witnessing a full-fledged mermaid encounter!

The energy was high and as the audience clapped along to the music, the Synchronettes put on an entertaining performance.

“I like the end of the year show because it’s not a competition. Our family and friends get to see what routines we swam all year and how hard we worked,” said Cailyn Buchanan an intermediate team member who swam three different routines this season.

Following the show, audience members were welcomed down on the pool deck for a free trial class with the team where the Synchronettes offered free synchronized swimming instruction and pointers.

The End of the Year Show’s purpose is two-fold. It is meant to entertain the public and offer a front row seat to one of the most unique youth sports in the area, as well as recruit new team members. The Synchronettes are always accepting new team members ages 6-19 who can swim a lap.

Those interested in joining the synchro fun can contact the Attleboro YMCA for more information or find the Lyonfish Synchronettes on Facebook.

About the YMCA Lyonfish Synchronettes: Established in 2012, the Lyonfish Synchronettes is the only synchronized swimming team south of Boston. Originally located out of the Foxboro YMCA, the team is now affiliated with the Attleboro YMCA and Wheaton College. The team competes in area synchronized swim meets at the Novice, Intermediate, Age Group, and Masters levels and is a member of the USA Synchro Association. The current team is made up of girls ages 9-15 from Norton, Easton, Mansfield, Foxboro, Sharon, Westwood, Attleboro, Dedham, Norwood, and Rumford, Rhode Island.

Photos taken by Paul Agnew