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The Mermaids are getting some recognition for excellence in synchronized swimming.
The Estevan club recently received $346.25 through the Synchro Canada Club Excellence Program, as one of three programs in the province to be granted funding.
Mermaids coach, Brenda Lyons said, "It's exciting," in reference to the funding.
The Mermaids were the bronze recipients of the funding, behind silver and gold clubs from Yorkton and Regina.
"It's actually quite tough, especially for clubs like us because we don't have kids that are in the national program. You get a lot of points for that. Also for Level 3 coaches, and we only have Level 1 here, and we never host any meets because our pool is so small," said Lyons. "We are quite lucky that we're doing other things really well that we get a lot of points for. I'm always pretty excited when we make the cut."
Eden Palmer and Alyssa Wieting, two 13-year-olds on the Mermaids team, entered into Synchro Sask's High Performance Program this winter. Through this, they were able to participate in two weekend camps under the tutelage of some of the best coaches in the country.
The two girls were tested in October in order to be eligible for the program.
"It's been a couple of years since we've had someone in the High Performance Program from Estevan," said Lyons. "We were really thrilled that they made standard."
The camps in Regina and Saskatoon included about 15 hours of instruction both in and out of the pool.
"One coach that was there had been on the Olympic team. It's really good, not only for the swimmers, but for the coaches. When we have some in the program, we get to go as coaches and learn what they're teaching. Then we can take different teaching techniques from the coaches and bring it back to our club."
The girls have been swimming synchro for five years. With backgrounds in swimming, the girls joined the Mermaids together.
"We learned how to use your body better in the pool," said Wieting. "I understand more what I'm supposed to do, and it's a lot easier to learn something new (now)."
Palmer talked about some of the techniques they were able to bring back to show their teammates.
"There's this one figure, we learned a bunch of drills and skills about it," she said.
The girls are both interested in pursuing synchronized swimming for as long as they can.
"I like that it's always a challenge when you learn new things," said Wieting. "I think we'll just keep going until we're the oldest people in the group and there's nothing else to do."
Synchro is kind of a sport that never ends, said Lyons.
"The good thing about synchro is you can keep progressing," she said.
She noted there is a masters program in the province as well, which is an outlet for adult synchronized swimmers.
The Mermaids have increased their practice schedule in anticipation of the provincial meet in a couple of weeks.
"We're doing some Saturday sessions," said Lyons. "We're doing some extra time during public swim. We're definitely ramping up at this point."
The team goal is to have a personal best at provincials.
"I always tell the kids I know what their personal best is. I know how they practise, and I gauge whether they're doing better at a performance or not. They're really a cohesive group, and we're right on track."
Because it's a judged sport Lyonså said it's important for her to make sure her team knows whether it swims well. Judges may not like their routine, but she said self-evaluation is important to really find success.
"That they feel personally fulfilled because they feel that they reached their goal (is important), not just because somebody put a medal around their neck."
